9/14 Through the 1930’s: Poison 200-Hit Mark; Burleigh Debut; Streak Snapped; HBD Fred, Frank, Jake & Don

• 1853 - 1B Jake Goodman was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Jake got his start with the Alleghenys in 1877 (they were part of the short-lived minor league International Association) and then played for the Milwaukee Grays the following year. He dropped off the map for a while, probably playing minor or semi-pro ball, and popped back up as an Allegheny again for 10 games in 1882 (they were major-league then as part of the American Association), going 13-for-41 and last appearing in May. His story didn’t have a happy ending. While playing minor league ball, he was beaned in 1884 and never recovered; he suffered from palsy afterward and died of a stroke in 1890 at age 36. 

Burleigh Grimes -  photo Bettmann/Getty

• 1916 - Hall of Famer Burleigh Grimes made his first MLB start for the Pirates, losing a 3-2 decision to the Brooklyn Superbas at Ebbets Field. He didn’t have a lot of help; LF Bill Hinchman lost a fly in the sixth and Honus Wagner muffed a DP ball (per BR Bullpen, Hans said “those damn big feet of mine have always been in my way.") in the same frame as Brooklyn scored twice. The Bucs tied it, but lost in the ninth on a two-out double by the opposing pitcher, Larry Cheney. Grimes finished his rookie campaign 2-3 but went on to win 270 games during his 19-year career. 
• 1925 - The Pirates snapped a losing streak of 7-of-8 games with a 9-4 win over the Brooklyn Robins at Forbes Field. Glenn Wright and George Grantham both went 3-for-4 and combined for a double, triple, three runs and three RBI to back Vic Aldridge’s win. The victory not only ended a dismal string, but launched the eventual World Championship club on a nine-game winning streak. 
• 1931 - RHP Don Williams was born in Floyd, Virginia. Don went to the U of Tennessee and signed with the Bucs in 1953 along with his twin Dewey, who never made it out of the minors. After losing the 1954-55 seasons to military service, he finally got a couple of sips of the big league with the pirates in 1958-59, getting into eight games with no record and a 6.75 ERA. He was sold to the White Sox, pitched again briefly in the show for Kansas City and retired after the 1963 campaign, becoming a rancher and gym teacher back in Floyd County. 
• 1933 - LHP Fred Green was born in Titusville, New Jersey. He pitched four years for the Bucs (1959-61, 1964) with a line of 9-6-4/3.33. The multi-role reliever was a member of the 1960 championship club after signing in 1952 and coming through the Pirate farm system; his last MLB gig was also with the Pirates in ‘64. Fred became a trucking manager and found time to occasionally pitch batting practice for the Pirates before passing away at age 62. His son Gary played shortstop for the San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, and Cincinnati Reds, and managed Pirates and Tigers farms teams for 11 seasons. 

Fred Green - 1961 Topps

• 1936 - Paul Waner tied Rogers Hornsby's modern NL record by reaching 200 hits for the seventh time as the Bucs swept the Phils 11-4 and 6-5 at the Baker Bowl. Big Poison banged out his 200th knock in the opener and collected five hits during the twinbill. Bill Swift and Red Lucas earned complete game victories for Pittsburgh. Waner set the NL record with a 200+ hit season the following year, and that mark lasted until Pete Rose topped it in 1977 (he and Ichiro hold the record with 10). 
• 1938 - LHP Frank Carpin was born in Brooklyn. The Bucs took him from the Yankees via the 1964 minor league draft and Frank got into 39 games in 1965 for the Pirates with a slash of 3-1-3/3.18. The Astros picked him up the following season when Pittsburgh left him unprotected in the Rule 5 draft. He tossed 10 games for the ‘Stros, ended up in AAA and retired at the end of the year. At age 27, it was an easy decision - he had a degree from Notre Dame (he became a broker), four kids and bone spurs in his elbow.