Here\u2019s just a little something from BBRT to contemplate while waiting for tonight\u2019s Yankees\/A\u2019s contest.\u00a0 And it has, appropriately, a bit of a Bronx Bomber hook. It\u2019s about a little recognized and underrated hurler named Johnny Allen.<\/p>\n

In the thirty days from September 3 to October 3, 1937, Indians hurler Johnny Allen started and completed eight games winning seven (losing one).\u00a0 During that span, he also made one relief appearance (no decision).<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Over the 1937 season and first half of 1938, Allen went 27-2, 2.82 \u2013 completing 24 of 36 starts.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a>On this date (October 3) in 1937, Cleveland right-hander Johnny Allen<\/strong><\/span> (who originally came up with the Yankees) was starting for the Indians (against the Tigers) in Detroit. \u00a0Since September 3, he had thrown one 2 1\/3-inning relief stint (no decision) and started seven games. He had completed and won all seven of those starts, throwing 63 innings and giving up just 14 earned runs.\u00a0 On the season, he was a perfect 15-0 (despite missing about a month-and-a-half with appendicitis) and carried a 2.62 earned run average. Going for his eighth win in 30 days (September 3 \u2013 October 3), Allen was in a position to record the most wins ever in an undefeated MLB season.<\/p>\n

It was not to be, however, but through no fault of Allen.\u00a0 The righty \u2013 known for a lively fastball and solid curve – went the distance that day, giving up a second-inning run on a double by Tigers\u2019 RF Pete Fox<\/strong> and a single by 1B Hank Greenberg<\/strong>. It was the only run he would give up in a complete game \u2013 his eighth in 30 days – five-hitter. (Side Note: In an article for the Society for American Baseball Research, author Jon Weeks reports that the single actually was a grounder muffed by Cleveland 3B Odell Hale and Allen had to be restrained twice \u201cwhen he tried to assault the error-prone third-sacker.\u201d \u00a0Baseball-Reference.com has the grounder scored as a base hit.<\/em>)<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, Tigers\u2019 southpaw Jack Wade<\/strong> \u2013 who came into the game at 6-10 on the season, with a 5.64 earned run average, pitched the game of his career. He tossed a nine-inning, one-hit shutout \u2013 topping Allen 1-0 and putting the Indians\u2019 hurler\u2019s season mark at 15-1. How surprising was Wade\u2019s performance? His MLB career record (eight seasons) ended at 27-40, 5.00.<\/p>\n

Getting back to the underrated and under-recognized Allen – he came up to the majors in 1932, after going 21-9 in the International League (Toronto and Jersey City) the year before.<\/p>\n

As a 27-year-old MLB rookie, Allen went 17-4, 3.70 and led the AL in winning percentage at .810. In four seasons with New York his record was 50-19, 3.79 \u2013 before attitude (anger) issues contributed to a trade to Cleveland in December of 1935<\/p>\n

Hall of Fame outfielder Al Simmons (.334 career average) once said, \u201cThe pitcher who gave me the most trouble was Johnny Allen \u2026 He threw hard and with a side arm.\u00a0 He was particularly tough with men on base.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>(Article by Jimmy Jemail, August 8, 1955, Sports Illustrated.)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Allen flourished in Cleveland, going 20-10, 3.44 in the 1936 season, following that with his 15-1 record in 1937. He started 1938 in the same near-perfect fashion and was 12-1, with a 2.98 ERA at the All Star Break.\u00a0\u00a0 Then, injury struck (some say something went awry in his shoulder during his All Star appearance, others say he slipped in the shower).\u00a0 After the break, Allen was 2-7, 6.29 \u2013 and, over the next six seasons, he won only 43 games (37 losses). He finished with a career mark of 142-75, 3.75. Before the 1938 injury he was 97-31, 3.44 \u2013 afterward 45-44, 4.20.<\/p>\n

Johnny Allen pitched three innings in the 1938 All Star Game \u2013 giving up two hits and one run and fanning three (Leo Durocher, Billy Herman, Mel Ott). <\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Allen\u2019s temper was a consistent matter of concern (part of the reason he suited up for five different teams in his 13 MLB seasons) – \u00a0to the point of a fine and suspension for attacking an umpire in 1942.\u00a0 Ironically, after retiring as a player, Allen became a minor league umpire \u2013 even rising to Umpire-In-Chief in the Carolina League.<\/p>\n

Primary sources: Baseball-Reference.com; Society for American Baseball Research.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT<\/h3>\n

Follow\/Like the Baseball Roundtable Facebook page here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Member: Society for American Baseball Research; The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here\u2019s just a little something from BBRT to contemplate while waiting for tonight\u2019s Yankees\/A\u2019s contest.\u00a0 And it has, appropriately, a bit of a Bronx Bomber hook. It\u2019s about a little recognized and underrated hurler named Johnny Allen. In the thirty days from September 3 to October 3, 1937, Indians hurler Johnny Allen started and completed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n