Hughie Jennings
From BR Bullpen
Hugh Ambrose Jennings (Ee-Yah)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Weight 165 lb.
- School Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University
- Debut June 1, 1891
- Final Game September 2, 1918
- Born April 2, 1869 in Pittston, PA USA
- Died February 1, 1928 in Scranton, PA USA
Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1945
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Hall of Famer Hughie Jennings was both a top player and a successful manager.
[edit] Star Shortstop
"No one compared with Hughie as a shortstop." - Honus Wagner
Shortstop Jennings started in semi-pro ball in 1890 and reached the majors with the Louisville Colonels of the American Association the following year. He spent parts of three seasons with the club, putting up unspectacular numbers, until he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles. He quickly developed into a star with Baltimore, leading the team to three pennants in his first three years with the club. He became the Orioles captain and hit over .300 in each of five full seasons with them. In 1895, he scored 159 runs and drove in 125, and the following year, he hit .401 while being hit by pitches 51 times (he had originally been credited with 49 hit by pitches that season, a total surpassed by Ron Hunt in 1971; however, later research uncovered two more HBP's, giving him the record again).
In 1896, Jennings drove in 121 runs without hitting a single home run - the record for most RBI in a season without hitting a homer.
During the course of his career, Jennings had his skull fractured three times by pitches. The most serious incident saw an Amos Rusie pitch knock him unconscious for four days in 1897. After stints with the Brooklyn Superbas and Philadelphia Phillies, an arm injury derailed his major league career. He played in the minors for several years before coming back to the majors as a manager. While a big league skipper, he also played in a handful of games, with his final playing appearance coming as a 49 year old in 1918.
As a player, Jennings had great range at shortstop and was a good hitter, ranking in the top 100 of all-time for batting average, on-base percentage, and stolen bases. Not satisfied with just hits and walks, he also is the all-time leader in hit-by-pitch (Craig Biggio ended his career in 2007 with two fewer than Jennings).
[edit] Pennant Winning Manager
"Ee-yah!" - Hughie Jennings' famous cry
Jennings returned to the majors as manager of the Detroit Tigers in 1907. With stars Ty Cobb and Sam Crawford in the lineup, he led the team to pennants in his first three years at the helm, a feat later only matched by Ralph Houk. He remained with the Tigers through 1920, consistently finishing above .500 with lineups featuring Cobb, Crawford, and Harry Heilmann. He was replaced as the team's skipper by Cobb.
In 1921, Jennings joined the coaching staff of the New York Giants under manager John McGraw, his teammate with the Orioles in the 1890s. He also filled in for McGraw as skipper for parts of 1924 and 1925, winning the pennant in 1924.
Jennings earned the nickname "Ee-Yah" while a manager, because he would often scream "ee-yah!" whenever the Tigers or Giants scored a run or even just got a hit.
Prior to his big league managerial career, Jennings was the first baseball coach at the University of Georgia from 1895 to 1899.
[edit] Away from the Diamond
Jennings was also a lawyer who graduated from Cornell University Law School. This was a considerable accomplishment, since in his era most lawyers still trained by reading law in a senior lawyer's office and only a select few went to elite law schools. His obituary stated that he practiced law in the off-seasons and built up an extensive clientele.
Jennings had suffered serious injuries in a couple car accidents in his lifetime, and had also fractured his skull once as a young man after diving into a pool that had no water.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 100 RBI Seasons: 3 (1894-1896)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 5 (1894-1898)
- 200 Hits Seasons: 2 (1895 & 1896)
- 50 Stolen Bases Seasons: 3 (1895-1897)
- AL Pennants: 3 (1907-1909)
- NL Pennants: 1 (1924)
- 100 Wins Seasons as a Manager: 1 (1915)
- Baseball Hall of Fame: Class of 1945
| Preceded by Bill Armour | Detroit Tigers Manager 1907-1920 | Succeeded by Ty Cobb |
[edit] Records Held
- Hit by pitch, career, 287
- Hit by pitch, season, 51, 1896
- Putouts, shortstop, season, 425, 1895 (tied)
[edit] Further Reading
- Jack Smiles: "Ee-Yah": The Life and Times of Hughie Jennings, Baseball Hall of Famer, McFarland, Jefferson, NC, 2005.
