Jackie Tavener
Encyclopedia
John Adam "Jackie" Tavener (December 27, 1897 – September 14, 1969), nicknamed "Rabbit," http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/tavenja01.shtml was a baseball
player who played shortstop for six seasons with the Detroit Tigers
(1921, 1925-1928) and Cleveland Indians
(1929).
Born in Celina, Ohio
, Tavener reached the major leagues at the end of the 1921 season and played two games with the Detroit Tigers. After those two games, Tavener did not play again in the major leagues until four years later in 1925. During the interim, Tavener played for the Fort Worth Panthers.http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/history/top100.jsp?idx=33
Between 1925 and 1928, Tavener was the Tigers' starting shortstop. In 1926, Tavener played all 156 games at shortstop for Detroit. A good fielding, weak hitting shortstop, Tavener had a .255 batting average for his career. However, he had speed, range and good hands at shortstop. In 1928, he had a Range factor
of 5.40 at shortstop, 0.66 points higher than the average shortstop that year. In his six major league seasons, Tavener had 1,238 career putouts (including 302 in 1928), 1,908 assists (including 470 in 1926), 384 double plays (including 92 in 1925), and 163 errors.
Largely due to his defensive skills and speed, Tavener finished 13th in the American League MVP voting in 1927. That year, he stole 19 bases (8th best in the AL) and had a range factor of 5.28 -- 0.42 points higher than the average shortstop. He also scored his best offensive year in 1927, with a .333 on base percentage, 36 extra base hits, and a.406 slugging percentage in 116 games.
When Tavener did make contact, his speed made him an extra base threat. He was among the American League leaders in triples in 1925 (11 triples; 10th best in AL), 1926 (14 triples; 5th best in AL) and 1928 (15 triples; 4th best in AL).
Tavener was also the third major league player to steal second, third and home in the same game on multiple occasions. Tavener accomplished the feat on July 10, 1927, and July 10, 1928. The only other two who have accomplished the feat more than once are Honus Wagner
and Ty Cobb
. No player has accomplished the feat more than once since Tavener did it in 1927-1928.http://www.thebaseballpage.com/lists/SB_cycle.php
On December 11, 1928, the Tigers traded Tavener with Ken Holloway
to the Cleveland Indians
for pitcher George Uhle
. Tavener played one season with the Indians to end his major league career.
Uhle was quoted as saying that Cleveland traded for Tavener because he hit so well against them. After Uhle was traded to Detroit, Harry Heilmann
told Uhle, "Just pitch high fastballs to Jackie. That's all you have to do." Uhle reported that stopped his hitting cold. His interment was located at Greenwood Memorial Park in Fort Worth, Texas
along with Tom Baker and Pete Donohue
. http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/excerpts/cobb_would_have_caught_it9.stm
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...
player who played shortstop for six seasons with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
(1921, 1925-1928) and 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...
(1929).
Born in Celina, Ohio
Celina, Ohio
Celina is a city in and the county seat of Mercer County, Ohio, United States. The population was 10,303 at the 2000 census. Celina is situated on the western shores of Grand Lake St. Marys.-History:...
, Tavener reached the major leagues at the end of the 1921 season and played two games with the Detroit Tigers. After those two games, Tavener did not play again in the major leagues until four years later in 1925. During the interim, Tavener played for the Fort Worth Panthers.http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/history/top100.jsp?idx=33
Between 1925 and 1928, Tavener was the Tigers' starting shortstop. In 1926, Tavener played all 156 games at shortstop for Detroit. A good fielding, weak hitting shortstop, Tavener had a .255 batting average for his career. However, he had speed, range and good hands at shortstop. In 1928, he had a Range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
of 5.40 at shortstop, 0.66 points higher than the average shortstop that year. In his six major league seasons, Tavener had 1,238 career putouts (including 302 in 1928), 1,908 assists (including 470 in 1926), 384 double plays (including 92 in 1925), and 163 errors.
Largely due to his defensive skills and speed, Tavener finished 13th in the American League MVP voting in 1927. That year, he stole 19 bases (8th best in the AL) and had a range factor of 5.28 -- 0.42 points higher than the average shortstop. He also scored his best offensive year in 1927, with a .333 on base percentage, 36 extra base hits, and a.406 slugging percentage in 116 games.
When Tavener did make contact, his speed made him an extra base threat. He was among the American League leaders in triples in 1925 (11 triples; 10th best in AL), 1926 (14 triples; 5th best in AL) and 1928 (15 triples; 4th best in AL).
Tavener was also the third major league player to steal second, third and home in the same game on multiple occasions. Tavener accomplished the feat on July 10, 1927, and July 10, 1928. The only other two who have accomplished the feat more than once are Honus Wagner
Honus Wagner
-Louisville Colonels:Recognizing his talent, Barrow recommended Wagner to the Louisville Colonels. After some hesitation about his awkward figure, Wagner was signed by the Colonels, where he hit .338 in 61 games....
and Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
. No player has accomplished the feat more than once since Tavener did it in 1927-1928.http://www.thebaseballpage.com/lists/SB_cycle.php
On December 11, 1928, the Tigers traded Tavener with Ken Holloway
Ken Holloway
Kenneth Eugene Holloway was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for three different teams between and . Listed at 6' 0", 185 lb., Holloway batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Barwick, Georgia. It has been erroneously reported that he was born "Halloway" or “Hollaway” and...
to the 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...
for pitcher George Uhle
George Uhle
George Ernest Uhle was a Major League Baseball pitcher. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he began his playing career with his hometown Cleveland Indians...
. Tavener played one season with the Indians to end his major league career.
Uhle was quoted as saying that Cleveland traded for Tavener because he hit so well against them. After Uhle was traded to Detroit, Harry Heilmann
Harry Heilmann
Harry Edwin Heilmann , nicknamed “Slug,” was a Major League Baseball player who played 17 seasons with the Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds . He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1952.Heilmann was a line drive hitter who won four American League batting crowns: in 1921, 1923, 1925 and...
told Uhle, "Just pitch high fastballs to Jackie. That's all you have to do." Uhle reported that stopped his hitting cold. His interment was located at Greenwood Memorial Park in Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
along with Tom Baker and Pete Donohue
Pete Donohue
Peter Joseph Donohue was a right-handed starting pitcher with a 12-year career from 1921 to 1932. He played for the Cincinnati Reds, New York Giants, both of the National League, and the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox of the American League...
. http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/excerpts/cobb_would_have_caught_it9.stm