Vean Gregg
From BR Bullpen
Sylveanus Augustus Gregg
- Bats Right, Throws Left
- Height 6' 1", Weight 185 lb.
- School South Dakota State University
- Debut April 12, 1911
- Final Game August 25, 1925
- Born April 13, 1885 in Chehalis, WA USA
- Died July 29, 1964 in Aberdeen, WA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Vean Gregg was a phenom who burst onto the major league scene in 1911. As a rookie, he led the league with a 1.80 ERA, and had a win-loss record of 23-7 for a team that went 80-73. Gregg won 13 games in his first 22 appearances in the majors; it would be 98 years before another left-hander, Matt Harrison, matched that feat. The next two years, he again won 20 games (going 20-13 each year). The 1912 Cleveland Naps were under .500, though in 1913 they did much better.
He once struck out Ty Cobb three times in one game in 1913.
Although he started 1914 with a 9-3 record, his ERA was not as impressive and he was traded in July to the Boston Red Sox. A 19-year-old Babe Ruth had made his pitching debut with the Red Sox earlier that month. The Red Sox won the World Series in both 1915 and 1916 while Gregg was with them.
Gregg's ERA's were not particularly impressive for the rest of his major league career (apparently he had an arm problem). His last year was at age 40 in 1925, when he appeared in 26 games for the pennant-winning 1925 Washington Senators.
His brother Dave Gregg was also with him on the 1913 Cleveland Naps.
Vean Gregg is also in the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame for his performances in that league. In 1910 there, he threw 14 shutouts. He was also in the PCL in 1922-24 and 1927.
He is the only major leaguer ever to come out of South Dakota State University.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- AL ERA Leader (1911)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 3 (1911-1913)
- 20 Wins Seasons: 3 (1911-1913)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 3 (1911-1913)
- Won two World Series with the Boston Red Sox (1915 & 1916; he played in neither World Series)
