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Babe Adams
From BR Bullpen
Charles Benjamin Adams
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 5' 11½", Weight 185 lb.
- Debut April 18, 1906
- Final Game August 11, 1926
- Born May 18, 1882 in Tipton, IN USA
- Died July 27, 1968 in Silver Spring, MD USA
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Biographical Information
Known for his great control, Babe Adams is often ranked as the top pitcher in Pittsburgh Pirates history.
After cups of coffee with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1906 and the Pirates in 1907, Adams went 22-12 for the Louisville Colonels in 1908. He joined the Pittsburgh staff for good the next year and posted a 12-3 record and a 1.11 ERA while splitting time between the rotation and the bullpen as the Pirates won the pennant. As the World Series began, ace hurler Howie Camnitz fell ill, and manager Fred Clarke started Adams in his place in Game One. The rookie responded by throwing a six-hit complete game victory, and followed that up with complete game wins in Games Five and Seven as the Pirates won their first championship.
Adams went on to win 22 games in 1911, and 21 in 1913. On July 14, 1914, he threw a 21-inning game without allowing a walk but still lost the game to Rube Marquard and the New York Giants.
After his ERA ballooned to 5.72 in 1916, Adams spent the next season back in the minors in the Western League. He returned to the Pirates in 1918 and won 17 games in both 1919 and 1920. In the latter season, he allowed just 18 walks in 263 innings.
Adams ended his career with 194 wins over nineteen seasons and an average of just 1.29 bases on balls per nine innings pitched.
Notable Achievements
- NL Winning Percentage Leader (1921)
- NL Shutouts Leader (1920)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 5 (1910, 1911, 1913, 1919 & 1920)
- 20 Wins Seasons: 2 (1911 & 1913)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 7 (1910, 1911, 1913-1915, 1919 & 1920)
- 300 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1913)
- Won two World Series with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1909 & 1925)
Year-by-Year Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1917 | St. Joseph Drummers/Hutchinson Wheatshockers | Western League | replaced Wid Conroy | ||||
| 1927 | Johnstown Johnnies | Middle Atlantic League | replaced by Chief Bender |
