Jack Coombs
From BR Bullpen
John Wesley Coombs (Colby Jack)
- Bats Both, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 185 lb.
- School Colby College
- High School Freeport High School, Coburn Classical Institute
- Debut July 5, 1906
- Final Game July 18, 1920
- Born November 18, 1882 in Le Grand, IA USA
- Died April 15, 1957 in Palestine, TX USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
After retiring from the majors, Jack Coombs became a successful college coach at Williams College, Rice University (1918), and Duke University (1929-1952). He also managed the Philadelphia Phillies in 1919 and was a member of the Detroit Tigers coaching staff in 1920. Additionally, he wrote a widely read instructional book, Baseball: Individual Play and Team Strategy.
His nephew Bobby Coombs followed him to the majors and was one of his players at Duke. Colby Magazine once mistakenly claimed another Coombs as a grandson, a John Coombs who graduated in 1997. Jack Coombs never had any children so this is impossible.
Jack Coombs is the most successful major league player to come out of Colby College.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 2-time AL Wins Leader (1910 & 1911)
- AL Games Pitched Leader (1910)
- AL Shutouts Leader (1910)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 4 (1910-1912 & 1915)
- 20 Wins Seasons: 3 (1910-1912)
- 25 Wins Seasons: 2 (1910 & 1911)
- 30 Wins Seasons: 1 (1910)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 4 (1909-1912)
- 300 Innings Pitched Seasons: 2 (1910 & 1911)
- 200 Strikeouts Seasons: 1 (1910)
- Won three World Series with the Philadelphia Athletics (1910, 1911 & 1913; he did not play in the 1913 World Series)
| Preceded by Pat Moran | Philadelphia Phillies Manager 1919 | Succeeded by Gavvy Cravath |
[edit] Year-By-Year Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1919 | Philadelphia Phillies | National League | 18-44 | -- | Philadelphia Phillies | replaced by Gavvy Cravath on July 9 |
[edit] Further Reading
- John P. Tierney: Jack Coombs, A Life in Baseball, McFarland, Jefferson, NC, 2008.
