Johnny Evers
From BR Bullpen
John Joseph Evers (Crab or Trojan)
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 5' 9", Weight 125 lb.
- Debut September 1, 1902
- Final Game October 6, 1929
- Born July 21, 1881 in Troy, NY USA
- Died March 28, 1947 in Albany, NY USA
Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1946
[edit] Biographical Information
The nephew of Tom Evers, Johnny Evers was part of the famous Tinker to Evers to Chance double play combination with the Chicago Cubs and was known for his great glove and fiery demeanor. He and longtime middle-infield mate Joe Tinker did not speak to each other for several years as teammates.
Evers is supposedly the player who realized Fred Merkle didn't touch second base during the infamous game between the New York Giants and Cubs during the 1908 NL pennant run. The play went on to be known as Merkle's Boner, as it cost New York the pennant. The game officially ended in a tie and because of that the Cubs and Giants finished with the same record. The Cubs then defeated the Giants in a one game playoff at the end of the season.
Evers was player-manager with the Cubs in 1913. In 1920, he was a Giants coach. After returning to the Cubs as manager in 1921, he spent the next two years across town as a Chicago White Sox coach before managing the team for part of the 1924 season. He later was a member of the Boston Braves coaching staff from 1929 to 1932 and also served as GM of the Albany Senators for a time.
Quote: "I never learned to shut the clubhouse door in a lost ball game. I took it home with me and played it over again all night." Johnny Evers.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- NL MVP (1914)
- Won three World Series with the Chicago Cubs (1907 & 1908) and the Boston Braves (1914)
- Baseball Hall of Fame: Class of 1946
| Preceded by Frank Chance | Chicago Cubs Manager 1913 | Succeeded by Hank O'Day |
| Preceded by Fred Mitchell | Chicago Cubs Manager 1921 | Succeeded by Bill Killefer |
| Preceded by Kid Gleason | Chicago White Sox Manager 1924 | Succeeded by Eddie Collins |
