Frankie Hayes
Encyclopedia
Frank Witman Hayes was an American
professional
baseball
player. He played as a catcher
in Major League Baseball
from to and, was highly regarded for his defensive abilities. He played most of his career for Connie Mack's
Philadelphia Athletics
and also spent time with the St. Louis Browns
, Cleveland Indians
, Chicago White Sox
, and Boston Red Sox
. He hit and threw right-handed, and played his entire career in the American League
. Hayes holds the major league record of most consecutive games played by a catcher.
, Hayes was nicknamed "Blimp", even though he was listed at 6'0" and 185 lbs
. He began his major league career on September 21, 1933
at the age of 18, making him the youngest player in the league at the time. He would go hitless in five at bat
s that season. Hayes appeared in 92 games in 1934
as a reserve catcher backing up Charlie Berry
, before being sent to the minor leagues
to play for the Buffalo Bisons
in the season.
He returned to the major leagues in , replacing Paul Richards
as the Athletics starting catcher, a position he would hold for the next six seasons. On July 25, 1936
, Hayes tied a major league record by hitting 4 doubles
in a game against the Cleveland Indians
. In 1939
, he earned his first selection to the American League All-Star
team, as a reserve behind Bill Dickey
. He ended the year with a .283 batting average
along with 20 home run
s and 83 runs batted in. His batting average improved in 1940
, when he posted a .308 batting average with 16 home runs and 70 runs batted in. Hayes' on base percentage
also improved from .348 in to .389. as, he gained his second consecutive All-Star
selection.
Hayes was traded to the St. Louis Browns for Bob Harris
and Bob Swift
in 1942
. After two shortened seasons with the Browns, he was traded back to the Athletics for Sam Zoldak
in 1944
. It seemed his career had been rejuvenated after returning to Philadelphia, producing a career-high 144 hits
in 581 at bats, for a .248 batting average, with 13 home runs, 18 doubles
, 6 triples
and 78 runs batted in. Hayes caught every one of the Athletics' 155 games and led American League catchers in games played
, putout
s, assists
, and in baserunners caught stealing
. He was also named to the American League All-Star team
for the fourth time in his career and, ranked 14th in the American League Most Valuable Player Award
balloting.
In May 1945
, the Athletics traded Hayes to the Cleveland Indians for Buddy Rosar
, another light-hitting catcher with solid defensive skills. He led all American League catchers in with 145 games played and a .988 fielding percentage
. He was selected to be a reserve catcher for the American League in the 1945 All-Star Game
however, the game was cancelled due to wartime travel restrictions.
From October 2, 1943
to April 21, 1946
, Hayes caught 312 consecutive games, a record for catchers that has never been broken. Hayes was the Indians catcher on April 30, when Bob Feller
threw a no hitter and, he provided the only run of the game with a ninth-inning
home run
. In the middle of the season while mired in a hitting slump
, Hayes had a falling out with Indians' manager
Lou Boudreau
over being benched in favor of Sherm Lollar
. Five days after starting for the American League in the 1946 All-Star game
, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox. He was released by the White Sox after the 1946
season then, signed with the Boston Red Sox as a free agent. He retired with the Red Sox on May 17, 1947
.
, accumulating 1164 hits
in 4493 at bats for a .259 career batting average along with 119 home runs and 585 runs batted in. He ended his career with a .977 fielding percentage. He compiled 30 career stolen bases along with 213 doubles and 32 triples
. During his career, he was named to six All-Star teams
. He led the American League three times in total chances
per game, twice each in putout
s, double play
s, and once each in assists
and fielding percentage as a catcher. When he caught 155 games in 1944, he set a still-standing American League record for games played in a season as catcher. His record of 312 consecutive games caught remains unbroken. Hayes' 29 double plays in 1945 is the second-highest season total ever for a catcher, behind Steve O'Neill
's record of 36, set in 1916
.
Hayes never reached the postseason, and died in Point Pleasant, New Jersey
in 1955, seven years after retiring.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player. He played as a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
from to and, was highly regarded for his defensive abilities. He played most of his career for Connie Mack's
Connie Mack (baseball)
Cornelius McGillicuddy, Sr. , better known as Connie Mack, was an American professional baseball player, manager, and team owner. The longest-serving manager in Major League Baseball history, he holds records for wins , losses , and games managed , with his victory total being almost 1,000 more...
Philadelphia Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
and also spent time with the St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, and Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. He hit and threw right-handed, and played his entire career in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
. Hayes holds the major league record of most consecutive games played by a catcher.
Major League career
Born and raised in Jamesburg, New JerseyJamesburg, New Jersey
Jamesburg is a Borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 6,025.Jamesburg was formed as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 19, 1887, when it was created from portions of Monroe Township, based on...
, Hayes was nicknamed "Blimp", even though he was listed at 6'0" and 185 lbs
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
. He began his major league career on September 21, 1933
1933 Philadelphia Athletics season
The Philadelphia Athletics season involved the A's finishing 3rd in the American League with a record of 79 wins and 72 losses. Jimmie Foxx became the first player to win two American League MVP Awards.- Regular season :...
at the age of 18, making him the youngest player in the league at the time. He would go hitless in five at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s that season. Hayes appeared in 92 games in 1934
1934 Philadelphia Athletics season
The Philadelphia Athletics season involved the A's finishing 5th in the American League with a record of 78 wins and 82 losses.- Offseason :* November 6, 1933: Tony Freitas, Gowell Claset, and cash were traded by the Athletics to the St...
as a reserve catcher backing up Charlie Berry
Charlie Berry
Charles Francis Berry was an American athlete and sports official who enjoyed careers as a catcher and umpire in Major League Baseball and as an offensive end and official in the National Football League...
, before being sent to the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
to play for the Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
in the season.
He returned to the major leagues in , replacing Paul Richards
Paul Richards (baseball)
Paul Rapier Richards was an American professional baseball player, manager, scout and executive in Major League Baseball. During his playing career, he was a catcher and right-handed batter with the Brooklyn Dodgers , New York Giants , Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers...
as the Athletics starting catcher, a position he would hold for the next six seasons. On July 25, 1936
1936 Philadelphia Athletics season
The Philadelphia Athletics season involved the A's finishing 8th in the American League with a record of 53 wins and 100 losses.- Offseason :Tom Shibe, eldest son of former owner Ben Shibe, died on February 16, 1936...
, Hayes tied a major league record by hitting 4 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
in a game against the Cleveland Indians
1936 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fifth in the American League with a record of 80-74, 22½ games behind the New York Yankees.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
. In 1939
1939 Philadelphia Athletics season
The 1939 Philadelphia Athletics season involved the A's finishing seventh in the American League with a record of 55 wins and 97 losses.- Offseason :...
, he earned his first selection to the American League All-Star
1939 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1939 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 7th playing of the mid-summer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 11, 1939 at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York City, the home...
team, as a reserve behind Bill Dickey
Bill Dickey
William Malcolm Dickey was a Major League Baseball catcher and manager.He played his entire 19-year baseball career with the New York Yankees . During Dickey's playing career, the Yankees went to the World Series nine times, winning eight championships...
. He ended the year with a .283 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
along with 20 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 83 runs batted in. His batting average improved in 1940
1940 Philadelphia Athletics season
The 1940 Philadelphia Athletics season involved the A's finishing 8th in the American League with a record of 54 wins and 100 losses.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, when he posted a .308 batting average with 16 home runs and 70 runs batted in. Hayes' on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
also improved from .348 in to .389. as, he gained his second consecutive All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
selection.
Hayes was traded to the St. Louis Browns for Bob Harris
Bob Harris (baseball)
Robert Arthur Harris was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1938 to 1942. He was the first Wyoming-born player in Major League history....
and Bob Swift
Bob Swift
Robert Virgil Swift was an American catcher, coach, manager and scout in Major League Baseball.Swift is pictured in one of the most famous photographs in American sporting history. He was the catcher for the Detroit Tigers on August 19, 1951, when St. Louis Browns owner Bill Veeck sent midget...
in 1942
1942 St. Louis Browns season
The 1942 St. Louis Browns season involved the Browns finishing 3rd in the American League with a record of 82 wins and 69 losses.- Notable transactions :...
. After two shortened seasons with the Browns, he was traded back to the Athletics for Sam Zoldak
Sam Zoldak
Samuel Walter Zoldak was a Major League Baseball pitcher for nine seasons. He was nicknamed "Sad Sam". He played for the St. Louis Browns from 1944 to 1948, the Cleveland Indians from 1948 to 1950, and the Philadelphia Athletics from 1951 to 1952.-Early life:He was born in Brooklyn, New York...
in 1944
1944 Philadelphia Athletics season
The Philadelphia Athletics season involved the A's finishing 5th in the American League with a record of 72 wins and 82 losses.- Spring training :...
. It seemed his career had been rejuvenated after returning to Philadelphia, producing a career-high 144 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 581 at bats, for a .248 batting average, with 13 home runs, 18 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 6 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and 78 runs batted in. Hayes caught every one of the Athletics' 155 games and led American League catchers in games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
, putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
s, assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
, and in baserunners caught stealing
Caught stealing
In baseball, a runner is charged, and the fielders involved are credited, with a time caught stealing when the runner attempts to advance or lead off from one base to another without the ball being batted and then is tagged out by a fielder while making the attempt...
. He was also named to the American League All-Star team
1944 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1944 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 12th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 11, 1944, at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania the home...
for the fourth time in his career and, ranked 14th in the American League Most Valuable Player Award
MLB Most Valuable Player Award
The Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award is an annual Major League Baseball award, given to one outstanding player in the American League and one in the National League. Since 1931, it has been awarded by the Baseball Writers Association of America...
balloting.
In May 1945
1945 Cleveland Indians season
- Notable transactions :* May 29, 1945: Buddy Rosar was traded by the Indians to the Philadelphia Athletics for Frankie Hayes.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, the Athletics traded Hayes to the Cleveland Indians for Buddy Rosar
Buddy Rosar
Warren Vincent "Buddy" Rosar , was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1939 to 1951 for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Athletics, and Boston Red Sox...
, another light-hitting catcher with solid defensive skills. He led all American League catchers in with 145 games played and a .988 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
. He was selected to be a reserve catcher for the American League in the 1945 All-Star Game
1945 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1945 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was to have been the 13th annual playing of the midseason exhibition baseball game between the all-stars of the American League and National League, the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball...
however, the game was cancelled due to wartime travel restrictions.
From October 2, 1943
1943 St. Louis Browns season
The 1943 St. Louis Browns season involved the Browns finishing 6th in the American League with a record of 72 wins and 80 losses.-Offseason:* November 7, 1942: Hal Epps was drafted by the Browns from the St...
to April 21, 1946
1946 Cleveland Indians season
In 1946, Bill Veeck finally became the owner of a major league team, the Cleveland Indians. He immediately put the team's games on radio, and set about to put his own indelible stamp on the franchise...
, Hayes caught 312 consecutive games, a record for catchers that has never been broken. Hayes was the Indians catcher on April 30, when Bob Feller
Bob Feller
On December 8, 1941, Feller enlisted in the Navy, volunteering immediately for combat service, becoming the first Major League Baseball player to do so following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. Feller served as Gun Captain aboard the USS Alabama, and missed four seasons during his service...
threw a no hitter and, he provided the only run of the game with a ninth-inning
Inning
Inning is a municipality in the district of Erding in Bavaria in Germany....
home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
. In the middle of the season while mired in a hitting slump
Slump (sports)
In sports, a slump is a period of time when player or team is not performing well or up to expectations. It is pretty much a dry spell or drought, though it is often misused to define a player's decline that is natural during their career....
, Hayes had a falling out with Indians' manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
Lou Boudreau
Lou Boudreau
Louis "Lou" Boudreau was an American Major League Baseball player and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970...
over being benched in favor of Sherm Lollar
Sherm Lollar
John Sherman Lollar was an American professional baseball player and coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians , New York Yankees , St. Louis Browns , and the Chicago White Sox...
. Five days after starting for the American League in the 1946 All-Star game
1946 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1946 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 14th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 9, 1946, at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts the home of the...
, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox. He was released by the White Sox after the 1946
1946 Chicago White Sox season
The 1946 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 46th season in the major leagues, and their 47th season overall. They finished with a record 74-80, good enough for 5th place in the American League, 30 games behind the first place Boston Red Sox....
season then, signed with the Boston Red Sox as a free agent. He retired with the Red Sox on May 17, 1947
1947 Boston Red Sox season
The 1947 Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing 3rd in the American League with a record of 83 wins and 71 losses.- Offseason :* November 1, 1946: Virgil Stallcup drafted from the Red Sox by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1946 rule 5 draft....
.
Career statistics
In a 14 year career, Hayes played in 1364 gamesGames played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
, accumulating 1164 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 4493 at bats for a .259 career batting average along with 119 home runs and 585 runs batted in. He ended his career with a .977 fielding percentage. He compiled 30 career stolen bases along with 213 doubles and 32 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
. During his career, he was named to six All-Star teams
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
. He led the American League three times in total chances
Total chances
In baseball statistics, total chances , also called chances offered, represents the number of plays in which a defensive player has participated. It is calculated as follows: Total Chances = assists + putouts + errors. Chances accepted refers to the total of putouts and assists only. Fielding...
per game, twice each in putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
s, double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
s, and once each in assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
and fielding percentage as a catcher. When he caught 155 games in 1944, he set a still-standing American League record for games played in a season as catcher. His record of 312 consecutive games caught remains unbroken. Hayes' 29 double plays in 1945 is the second-highest season total ever for a catcher, behind Steve O'Neill
Steve O'Neill
Stephen Francis O'Neill was an American catcher, manager, coach and scout in Major League Baseball.Born to Irish immigrants in Minooka, Pennsylvania , O'Neill was one of six brothers who escaped a life in the coal mines by playing in the major leagues...
's record of 36, set in 1916
1916 in baseball
left|thumb|300px|[[Woodrow Wilson]] throws out the ball on opening day.-Champions:*World Series: Boston Red Sox over Brooklyn Robins -MLB statistical leaders:-American League final standings:-National League final standings:-Events:...
.
Hayes never reached the postseason, and died in Point Pleasant, New Jersey
Point Pleasant, New Jersey
Point Pleasant is a Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 18,392...
in 1955, seven years after retiring.