Appendix: Babe Ruth’s Anomalous 1929 Season: Why Did His Bases on Balls Plummet?
This article was written by Herm Krabbenhoft - Michael Haupert
This article was published in Spring 2026 Baseball Research Journal
This is the appendix to “Babe Ruth’s Anomalous 1929 Season: Why Did His Bases on Balls Plummet?” by Herm Krabbenhoft and Michael Haupert, in the Spring 2026 Baseball Research Journal.
Click on a link below to scroll down:
- Appendix A: The Top-Ten AL Players in Walks for Each Season (1926-1932)
- Appendix B: Year-By-Year Statistics for the Top-Ten AL Players in Most Walks During the 1926-1932 Period
- Appendix C — Expected Walks for Ruth in 1929
- Appendix D — Details for Babe Ruth’s 10-Game Segments with Very Low W%s
- Appendix E — Coverage of Bases on Balls Leaders by The Sporting News (1926-1932)
- Appendix F — Babe Ruth’s Runs Scored (1926-32)
Appendix A
The Top-Ten AL Players in Walks for Each Season (1926-1932)
Table A. The Top-Ten AL Players in Walks for Each Season (1926-1932).
|
# |
1926 |
1927 |
1928 |
1929 |
1930 |
1931 |
1932 |
|
1 |
B. Ruth 144 |
B. Ruth 137 |
B. Ruth 137 |
M. Bishop 129 |
B. Ruth 136 |
B. Ruth 128 |
B. Ruth 130 |
|
2 |
M. Bishop 116 |
L. Gehrig 109 |
L. Blue 108 |
L. Blue 128 |
M. Bishop 128 |
L. Blue 127 |
J. Foxx 117 |
|
3 |
T. Rigney 108 |
M. Bishop 106 |
M. Bishop 100 |
L. Gehrig 124 |
L. Gehrig 102 |
L. Gehrig 117 |
M. Bishop 110 |
|
4 |
L. Gehrig 106 |
H. Heilmann 72 |
L. Gehrig 94 |
J. Foxx 103 |
J. Foxx 93 |
M. Bishop 113 |
L. Gehrig 108 |
|
5 |
T. Speaker 94 |
L. Blue 71 |
J. Judge 81 |
J. Cronin 85 |
L. Blue 81 |
L. Lary 87 |
M. Cochrane 101 |
|
6 |
L. Blue 91 |
W. Kamm 70 |
E. Combs 72 |
A. Metzler 79 |
E. Combs 74 |
E. Morgan 83 |
E. Morgan 94 |
|
7 |
J. Mostil 79 |
T. Lazzeri 71 |
A. Metzler 79 |
W. Kamm 75 |
J. Dykes 74 |
J. Cronin 81 |
G. Goslin 92 |
|
8 |
W. Kamm 78 |
T. Cobb 67 |
M. Cochrane 77 |
W. Schang 74 |
J. Cronin 72 |
G. Goslin 80 |
O. Bluege 83 |
|
9 |
E. Shely 75 |
B. Harris 67 |
W. Kamm 75 |
J. Judge 73 |
C. Gehringer 70 |
T. Lazzeri 80 |
T. Lazzeri 84 |
|
10 |
F. Haney 74 |
F. O’Rourke 64 |
C. Gehringer 69 |
B. Ruth 72 |
G. Goslin 69 |
B. Chapman 75 |
E. Combs 81 |
NOTES: (1) The numbers of walks shown are from the Retrosheet’s play by play and box score files (summarized in Retrosheet’s Player Splits file) and as a result may not agree with “official” totals as displayed on Retrosheet’s main player (player-profile) and team pages. A number of walks shown in italics indicates a difference from that shown in the “official” totals. Support for those entries with a different number of walks is provided in the Retrosheet Discrepancy File. (2) C. Jamieson also had 64 walks in 1927.
Appendix B
Year-By-Year Statistics for the Top-Ten AL Players in Most Walks During the 1926-1932 Period.
Max Bishop
Table B-1. Max Bishop’s Three True Outcome Statistics for the 1926-1932 Seasons.
|
Year |
G |
PA |
AB |
HR (%) |
SO (%) |
W (%) |
|
1926 |
122 |
529 |
400 |
0 (0.00) |
41 (10.25) |
116 (21.93) |
|
1927 |
118 |
492 |
374 |
0 (0.00) |
28 (7.49) |
106 (21.54) |
|
1928 |
126 |
591 |
473 |
6 (1.27) |
36 (7.61) |
100 (16.92) |
|
1929 |
129 |
617 |
475 |
3 (0.63) |
44 (9.26) |
129 (20.91) |
|
1930 |
130 |
587 |
441 |
10 (2.27) |
60 (13.61) |
128 (21.81) |
|
1931 |
130 |
615 |
497 |
5 (1.01) |
51 (10.26) |
113 (18.37) |
|
1932 |
114 |
520 |
407 |
5 (1.23) |
43 (10.57) |
110 (21.53) |
|
Total |
869 |
3951 |
3067 |
29 (0.95) |
303 (9.88) |
802 (20.30) |
Lou Gehrig
Table B-2. Lou Gehrig’s Three True Outcome Statistics for the 1926-1932 Seasons.
|
Year |
G |
PA |
AB |
HR (%) |
SO (%) |
W (%) |
|
1926 |
155 |
697 |
572 |
16 (2.80) |
73 (12.76) |
106 (15.21) |
|
1927 |
155 |
717 |
584 |
47 (8.05) |
84 (14.38) |
109 (15.20) |
|
1928 |
154 |
678 |
562 |
27 (4.80) |
67 (11.92) |
94 (13.86) |
|
1929 |
154 |
694 |
553 |
35 (6.33) |
73 (13.20) |
124 (17.87) |
|
1930 |
154 |
703 |
581 |
41 (7.06) |
63 (10.84) |
102 (14.51) |
|
1931 |
155 |
738 |
619 |
46 (7.43) |
56 (9.05) |
117 (15.85) |
|
1932 |
156 |
708 |
596 |
34 (5.70) |
38 (6.38) |
108 (15.25) |
|
Total |
1083 |
4935 |
4067 |
246 (6.05) |
454 (11.16) |
760 (15.40) |
Lu Blue
Table B-3. Lu Blue’s Three True Outcome Statistics for the 1926-1932 Seasons.
|
Year |
G |
PA |
AB |
HR (%) |
SO (%) |
W (%) |
|
1926 |
128 |
538 |
430 |
1 (0.23) |
19 (4.42) |
91 (16.91) |
|
1927 |
112 |
456 |
367 |
1 (0.27) |
28 (7.63) |
71 (15.57) |
|
1928 |
154 |
681 |
549 |
14 (2.55) |
43 (7.83) |
108 (15.86) |
|
1929 |
151 |
714 |
573 |
6 (1.05) |
33 (5.76) |
128 (17.93) |
|
1930 |
117 |
524 |
425 |
4 (0.94) |
45 (10.59) |
81 (15.46) |
|
1931 |
155 |
726 |
590 |
1 (0.17) |
60 (10.17) |
127 (17.49) |
|
1932 |
112 |
444 |
374 |
0 (0.00) |
21 (5.61) |
64 (14.41) |
|
Total |
929 |
4083 |
3308 |
28 (0.85) |
249 (7.53) |
670 (16.41) |
Willie Kamm
Table B-4. Willie Kamm’s Three True Outcome Statistics for the 1926-1932 Seasons.
|
Year |
G |
PA |
AB |
HR (%) |
SO (%) |
W (%) |
|
1926 |
143 |
579 |
480 |
0 (0.00) |
27 (5.63) |
78 (13.47) |
|
1927 |
148 |
635 |
540 |
0 (0.00) |
18 (3.33) |
70 (11.02) |
|
1928 |
155 |
656 |
551 |
1 (0.18) |
23 (4.17) |
75 (11.43) |
|
1929 |
147 |
619 |
523 |
3 (0.57) |
24 (4.59) |
75 (12.12) |
|
1930 |
111 |
395 |
330 |
3 (0.91) |
20 (6.06) |
51 (12.91) |
|
1931 |
132 |
554 |
469 |
0 (0.00) |
19 (4.05) |
71 (12.82) |
|
1932 |
148 |
615 |
524 |
3 (0.57) |
37 (7.06) |
75 (12.20) |
|
Total |
984 |
4053 |
3417 |
10/0 (0.29) |
168 (4.92) |
495 (12.21) |
Earle Combs
Table B-5. Earl Combs’s Three True Outcome Statistics for the 1926-1932 Seasons.
|
Year |
G |
PA |
AB |
HR (%) |
SO (%) |
W (%) |
|
1926 |
145 |
670 |
607 |
8 (1.32) |
24 (3.95) |
46 (6.87) |
|
1927 |
152 |
726 |
649 |
6 (0.92) |
31 (4.78) |
63 (8.68) |
|
1928 |
149 |
709 |
626 |
7 (1.12) |
33 (5.27) |
77 (10.86) |
|
1929 |
142 |
665 |
584 |
3 (0.51) |
36 (6.16) |
70 (10.53) |
|
1930 |
137 |
617 |
532 |
7 (1.32) |
26 (4.89) |
74 (11.99) |
|
1931 |
138 |
636 |
563 |
5 (0.89) |
34 (6.04) |
68 (10.69) |
|
1932 |
144 |
675 |
591 |
9 (1.52) |
16 (2.71) |
81 (12.00) |
|
Total |
1000 |
4698 |
4152 |
45 (1.08) |
200 (4.82) |
479 (10.20) |
Goose Goslin
Table B-6. Goose Goslin’s Three True Outcome Statistics for the 1926-1932 Seasons.
|
Year |
G |
PA |
AB |
HR (%) |
SO (%) |
W (%) |
|
1926 |
147 |
656 |
569 |
17 (2.99) |
39 (6.85) |
62 (9.45) |
|
1927 |
148 |
658 |
581 |
13 (2.24) |
28 (4.82) |
49 (7.45) |
|
1928 |
135 |
528 |
456 |
17 (3.73) |
19 (4.17) |
48 (9.09) |
|
1929 |
145 |
643 |
554 |
18 (3.25) |
32 (5.78) |
69 (10.73) |
|
1930 |
148 |
670 |
584 |
37 (6.34) |
54 (9.25) |
69 (10.30) |
|
1931 |
151 |
675 |
591 |
24 (4.06) |
41 (6.94) |
80 (11.85) |
|
1932 |
150 |
667 |
572 |
17 2.97) |
35 (6.12) |
92 (13.79) |
|
Total |
1024 |
4497 |
3907 |
143 (3.66) |
248 (6.35) |
469 (10.43) |
Mickey Cochrane
Table B-7. Mickey Cochrane’s Three True Outcome Statistics for the 1926-1932 Seasons.
|
Year |
G |
PA |
AB |
HR (%) |
SO (%) |
W (%) |
|
1926 |
120 |
452 |
370 |
8 (2.16) |
15 (4.05) |
56 (12.39) |
|
1927 |
126 |
507 |
432 |
12 (2.78) |
7 (1.62) |
50 (9.86) |
|
1928 |
131 |
571 |
468 |
10 (2.14) |
25 (5.34) |
77 (13.49) |
|
1929 |
135 |
606 |
514 |
7 (1.36) |
8 (1.56) |
69 (11.39) |
|
1930 |
130 |
561 |
487 |
10 (2.05) |
18 (3.70) |
55 (9.80) |
|
1931 |
122 |
522 |
459 |
17 (3.70) |
20 (4.36) |
57 (10.92) |
|
1932 |
139 |
626 |
518 |
23 (4.44) |
22 (4.25) |
101 (16.13) |
|
Total |
903 |
3845 |
3248 |
87 (2.68) |
115 (3.54) |
465 (12.09) |
Tony Lazzeri
Table B-8. Tony Lazzeri’s Three True Outcome Statistics for the 1926-1932 Seasons.
|
Year |
G |
PA |
AB |
HR (%) |
SO (%) |
W (%) |
|
1926 |
155 |
665 |
589 |
18 (3.06) |
97 (16.47) |
54 (8.12) |
|
1927 |
153 |
660 |
568 |
18 (3.17) |
83 (14.61) |
71 (10.76) |
|
1928 |
116 |
464 |
405 |
10/0 (2.47) |
50 (12.35) |
44 (9.48) |
|
1929 |
147 |
639 |
546 |
18/0 (3.30) |
47 (8.61) |
70 (10.95) |
|
1930 |
143 |
650 |
571 |
9/0 (1.58) |
62 (10.86) |
60 (9.23) |
|
1931 |
135 |
569 |
484 |
8/2 (1.65) |
81 (16.74) |
80 (14.06) |
|
1932 |
142 |
603 |
510 |
15/1 (2.94) |
64 (12.55) |
84 (13.93) |
|
Total |
991 |
4250 |
3673 |
96 (2.61) |
484 (13.18) |
463 (10.89) |
Jimmie Foxx
Table B-9. Jimmie Foxx’s Three True Outcome Statistics for the 1926-1932 Seasons.
|
Year |
G |
PA |
AB |
HR (%) |
SO (%) |
W (%) |
|
1926 |
26 |
35 |
32 |
0 (0.00) |
6 (18.75) |
1 (2.86) |
|
1927 |
61 |
147 |
130 |
3 (2.31) |
11 (8.46) |
15 (10.20) |
|
1928 |
118 |
473 |
400 |
13/1 (3.25) |
42 (10.50) |
60 (12.68) |
|
1929 |
149 |
638 |
517 |
33/0 (6.38) |
70 (13.54) |
103 (16.14) |
|
1930 |
153 |
674 |
562 |
37/1 (6.58) |
66 (11.74) |
93 (13.80) |
|
1931 |
139 |
592 |
515 |
30/2 (5.83) |
84 (16.31) |
72 (12.16) |
|
1932 |
154 |
702 |
585 |
58/1 (9.91) |
96 (16.41) |
117 (16.67) |
|
Total-A |
800 |
3261 |
2741 |
174 (6.35) |
375 (13.68) |
461 (14.14) |
|
Total-B |
713 |
3079 |
2579 |
171/5 (6.63) |
358 (13.88) |
445 (14.45) |
NOTE: Total-A gives the total for the seven seasons from 1926 through 1932. Total-B gives the total for Foxx’s five full seasons, 1928 through 1932.
Appendix C
Expected Walks for Ruth in 1929
EXPLANATORY NOTES for Tables C-1a-c
[1] The EXP column gives the expected number of times Ruth would have been walked by the pitcher based on his W% by the pitcher during the 1926-28 and the 1930-32 seasons. Tables C-2a-c provide the pertinent W% information for each pitcher.
[2] According to the W% values that Ruth accomplished against these hurlers, it would have been expected that he would have collected a total of about 111 walks from these pitchers. There were also seven pitchers who, in their ML careers, faced Ruth only during the 1929 season — Augie Prudhomme, Dan Dugan, Emil Yde, Ray Dobens, Ed Carroll, Don Savidge, and Kyle Graham. Collectively, Ruth had 31 plate appearances versus this group; he walked a total of seven times (W% = 22.58). So, altogether Ruth should have ended up with around 118 walks, a figure which is reasonably close to the 120 walks estimated for Ruth assuming typical performance in the 135 games he played in 1929. In actuality, he collected 72 walks (including the 7 from the seven “1929-season-only” pitchers).
Table C-1a. Pitchers vs Whom Babe Ruth Had at Least One Plate Appearance in 1929.
|
Pitcher |
Team |
PA |
EXP W |
W |
∆ |
|
Jack Quinn |
PHA |
23 |
3.54 |
2 |
— 1.54 |
|
Rube Walberg |
PHA |
21 |
3.69 |
1 |
— 2.69 |
|
Firpo Marberry |
WAS |
21 |
3.23 |
1 |
— 2.23 |
|
Bump Hadley |
WAS |
20 |
3.66 |
2 |
— 1.66 |
|
General Crowder |
SLB |
19 |
2.82 |
4 |
+ 1.18 |
|
Ed Morris |
BOS |
18 |
5.33 |
1 |
— 4.33 |
|
Tommy Thomas |
CWS |
18 |
4.32 |
1 |
— 3.32 |
|
Sam Gray |
SLB |
18 |
3.11 |
2 |
— 1.11 |
|
Garland Braxton |
WAS |
18 |
5.14 |
2 |
— 3.14 |
|
Earl Whitehill |
DET |
18 |
4.08 |
3 |
— 1.08 |
|
Lefty Grove |
PHA |
17 |
1.64 |
0 |
— 1.64 |
|
Red Faber |
CWS |
17 |
3.32 |
0 |
— 3.32 |
|
Ted Lyons |
CWS |
17 |
2.96 |
3 |
+ 0.04 |
|
Red Ruffing |
BOS |
17 |
3.64 |
2 |
— 1.64 |
|
Hal McKain |
CWS |
15 |
4.29 |
2 |
— 2.29 |
|
Willis Hudlin |
CLE |
15 |
2.92 |
5 |
+ 2.08 |
|
George Earnshaw |
PHA |
15 |
1.60 |
3 |
+ 1.40 |
|
Lloyd Brown |
WAS |
15 |
2.32 |
1 |
— 1.32 |
|
George Uhle |
DET |
14 |
2.40 |
0 |
— 2.40 |
|
George Blaeholder |
SLB |
14 |
2.61 |
2 |
— 0.61 |
|
Ownie Carroll |
DET |
14 |
3.38 |
0 |
— 3.38 |
|
Milt Gaston |
BOS |
13 |
2.91 |
1 |
— 1.91 |
|
Lefty Stewart |
SLB |
12 |
3.22 |
1 |
— 2.22 |
|
Bill Bayne |
BOS |
12 |
3.20 |
2 |
— 1.20 |
|
Vic Sorrell |
DET |
11 |
2.17 |
2 |
— 0.17 |
|
Bobby Burke |
WAS |
11 |
4.13 |
0 |
— 4.13 |
|
Ken Holloway |
CLE |
10 |
1.67 |
1 |
— 0.67 |
|
Wes Ferrell |
CLE |
10 |
1.80 |
3 |
+ 1.20 |
|
Danny MacFayden |
BOS |
10 |
1.79 |
2 |
+ 0.21 |
Table C-1b. Pitchers vs Whom Babe Ruth Had at Least One Plate Appearance in 1929.
|
Pitcher |
Team |
PA |
EXP |
W |
∆ |
|
Joe Shaute |
CLE |
9 |
1.98 |
0 |
— 1.98 |
|
Milt Shoffner |
CLE |
8 |
0.92 |
0 |
— 0.92 |
|
Howard Ehmke |
PHA |
7 |
1.36 |
2 |
+ 0.64 |
|
Jake Miller |
CLE |
7 |
0.76 |
1 |
+ 0.24 |
|
Augie Prudhomme |
DET |
7 |
——— |
2 |
[+ 2.00] |
|
Dan Dugan |
CWS |
6 |
——— |
3 |
[+ 3.00] |
|
Jack Ogden |
SLB |
6 |
1.20 |
1 |
— 0.20 |
|
Johnny Miljus |
CLE |
6 |
0.00 |
2 |
+ 2.00 |
|
Sad Sam Jones |
WAS |
6 |
1.40 |
0 |
— 1.40 |
|
Jack Russell |
BOS |
6 |
0.39 |
0 |
— 0.39 |
|
Bob Weiland |
CWS |
5 |
1.56 |
1 |
— 0.56 |
|
Ossie Orwoll |
PHA |
5 |
1.58 |
0 |
— 1.58 |
|
Emil Yde |
DET |
5 |
——— |
1 |
[+ 1.00] |
|
Grady Adkins |
CWS |
5 |
2.22 |
0 |
— 2.22 |
|
Ray Dobens |
BOS |
4 |
——— |
1 |
[+ 1.00] |
|
Bill Shores |
PHA |
4 |
1.78 |
0 |
— 1.78 |
|
Ed Carroll |
BOS |
3 |
——— |
0 |
[0.00] |
|
Ed Durham |
BOS |
3 |
0.33 |
0 |
— 0.33 |
|
Ed Walsh |
CWS |
3 |
0.67 |
1 |
+ 0.33 |
|
Rip Collins |
SLB |
3 |
1.03 |
0 |
— 1.03 |
|
Don Savidge |
WAS |
3 |
——— |
0 |
[0.00] |
|
Kyle Graham |
DET |
3 |
——— |
0 |
[0.00] |
|
Josh Billings |
DET |
3 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
George Smith |
DET |
3 |
0.55 |
3 |
+ 2.45 |
|
Dick Coffman |
SLB |
2 |
0.48 |
0 |
— 0.48 |
|
Eddie Rommel |
PHA |
2 |
0.42 |
1 |
+ 0.58 |
|
Chad Kimsey |
SLB |
2 |
0.27 |
0 |
— 0.27 |
|
Pat Simmons |
BOS |
2 |
1.00 |
1 |
0.00 |
|
Ad Liska |
WAS |
2 |
1.00 |
1 |
0.00 |
Table C-1c. Pitchers vs Whom Babe Ruth Had at Least One Plate Appearance in 1929.
|
Pitcher |
Team |
PA |
EXP |
W |
∆ |
|
Phil Page |
DET |
1 |
0.25 |
0 |
— 0.25 |
|
Paul Hopkins |
WAS-SLB |
1 |
0.00 |
0 |
0.00 |
|
Sarge Connally |
CWS |
1 |
0.24 |
1 |
+ 0.76 |
|
Elam Vangilder |
DET |
1 |
0.16 |
1 |
+ 0.84 |
EXPLANATORY NOTES for Tables C-2a-c:
[1] The “1926-1928” column gives the total number of Plate Appearances (PA) and the total number of Walks (W) Ruth received in those seasons; the W% is simply W divided by PA. The “1929” column and the “1930-1932” column are analogous to the “1926-1928” column.
[2] The *1926-1932* column gives the information for the combined 1926-1928 and 1930-1932 seasons — i.e., the 1929 season is not included.
[3] The *1929* column gives the expected (EXP) number of walks, based on the *1926-1932* W% and the 1929 PA. For example: for Lefty Grove, Babe Ruth had a *1926-1932* W% of 9.62 and a total of 17 PA in 1929; it would have been expected that Ruth would have walked 1.6 times in those 17 PA; in actuality he walked zero (0) times.
Table C-2a. Expected Walks for Ruth in 1929.
|
Pitcher |
1926-1928 PA-W (W%) |
1929 PA-W (W%) |
1930-1932 PA-W (W%) |
*1926-1932* PA-W (W%) |
*1929* EXP W |
|
L. Grove |
66-8 (12.12) |
17-0 (0.00) |
38-2 (5.26) |
104-10 (9.62) |
1.64 |
|
G. Uhle |
62-13 (20.97) |
14-0 (0.00) |
43-5 (11.63) |
105-18 (17.14) |
2.40 |
|
J. Shaute |
59-13 (22.03) |
9-0 (0.00) |
——— |
59-13 (22.03) |
1.98 |
|
R. Faber |
54-13 (24.07) |
17-0 (0.00) |
33-4 (12.12) |
87-17 (19.54) |
3.32 |
|
E. Whitehill |
53-9 (16.98) |
18-3 (16.67) |
53-15 (28.30) |
106-24 (22.64) |
4.08 |
|
T. Lyons |
47-8 (17.02) |
17-3 (17.65) |
39-7 (17.95) |
86-15 (17.44) |
2.96 |
|
R. Walberg |
43-5 (11.63) |
21-1 (4.76) |
65-14 (21.54) |
108-19 (17.59) |
3.69 |
|
S. Gray |
42-10 (23.81) |
18-2 (11.11) |
39-4 (10.26) |
81- 14 (17.28) |
3.11 |
|
R. Ruffing |
42-9 (21.43) |
17-2 (11.76) |
——— |
12-9 (21.43) |
3.64 |
|
T. Thomas |
41-14 (34.15) |
18-1 (5.56) |
34-4 (11.76) |
75-18 (24.00) |
4.32 |
|
J. Russell |
40-2 (5.00) |
6-0 (0.00) |
37-3 (8.11) |
77-5 (6.49) |
0.39 |
Table C-2b. Expected Walks for Ruth in 1929.
|
Pitcher |
1926-1928 PA-W (W%) |
1929 PA-W (W%) |
1930-1932 PA-W (W%) |
*1926-1932* PA-W (W%) |
*1929* EXP W |
|
S. Jones |
38-10 (26.32) |
6-0 (0.00) |
48-10 (20.83) |
86-20 (23.26) |
1.40 |
|
F. Marberry |
38-6 (15.79) |
21-1 (4.76) |
27-4 (14.81) |
65-10 (15.38) |
3.23 |
|
M. Gaston |
37-9 (24.32) |
13-1 (7.69) |
39-8 (20.51) |
76-17 (22.37) |
2.91 |
|
E. Vangilder |
37-6 (16.22) |
1-1 (100.00) |
——— |
37-6 (16.22) |
0.16 |
|
H. Ehmke |
34-7 (20.59) |
7-2 (28.57) |
2-0 (0.00) |
36-7 (19.44) |
1.36 |
|
W. Hudlin |
34-8 (25.00) |
15-5 (33.33) |
38-6 (15.79) |
72-14 (19.44) |
2.92 |
|
J. Quinn |
31-5 (16.13) |
23-2 (8.70) |
8-1 (12.50) |
39-6 (15.38) |
3.54 |
|
G. Crowder |
30-7 (23.33) |
19-4 (21.05) |
44-4 (9.09) |
74-11 (14.86) |
2.82 |
|
H. Lisenbee |
29-6 (20.69) |
0-0 (0.0) |
48-9 (18.75) |
77-15 (19.48) |
0.00 |
|
O. Carroll |
29-7 (24.14) |
14-0 (0.00) |
——— |
29-7 (24.14) |
3.38 |
|
J. Miller |
29-4 (13.79) |
7-1 (14.29) |
17-1 (5.88) |
46-5 (10.87) |
0.76 |
|
E. Rommel |
28-6 (21.43) |
2-1 (33.33) |
20-4 (20.00) |
48-10 (20.83) |
0.42 |
|
G. Braxton |
28-7 (25.00) |
18-2 (11.11) |
21-7 (33.33) |
49-14 (28.57) |
5.14 |
|
D. MacFayden |
27-3 (11.11) |
10-2 (20.00) |
40-9 (22.50) |
67-12 (17.91) |
1.79 |
|
S. Connally |
24-6 (25.00) |
1-1 (100.00) |
10-2 (20.00) |
34-8 (23.53) |
0.24 |
|
B. Hadley |
23-2 (8.70) |
20-2 (10.00) |
48-11 (22.92) |
71-13 (18.31) |
3.66 |
|
K. Holloway |
23-3 (13.04) |
10-1 (10.00) |
7-2 (28.57) |
30-5 (16.67) |
1.67 |
|
L. Stewart |
21-3 (14.29) |
12-1 (8.33) |
46-15 (32.61) |
67-18 (26.87) |
3.22 |
|
O. Orwoll |
19—6 (31.58) |
5-0 (0.00) |
——— |
19-6 (31.58) |
1.58 |
|
G. Smith |
18-2 (11.11) |
3-3 (100.00) |
4-2 (50.00) |
22-4 (18.18) |
0.55 |
|
G. Adkins |
18-8 (44.44) |
5-0 (0.00) |
——— |
18-8 (44.44) |
2.22 |
|
G. Blaeholder |
17-3 (17.65) |
14-2 (14.29) |
58-11 (18.97) |
75-14 (18.67) |
2.61 |
|
R. Collins |
16-5 (31.25) |
3-0 (0.00) |
22-8 (36.36) |
38-13 (34.21) |
1.03 |
|
V. Sorrell |
15-2 (13.33) |
11-2 (18.18) |
56-12 (21.43) |
71-14 (19.72) |
2.17 |
|
J. Ogden |
15-3 (20.00) |
6-1 (16.67) |
——— |
15-3 (20.00) |
1.20 |
|
B. Burke |
13-3 (23.08) |
11-0 (0.00) |
19-9 (47.37) |
32-12 (37.50) |
4.13 |
|
B. Bayne |
13-4 (30.77) |
12-2 (16.67) |
2-0 (0.00) |
15-4 (26.67) |
3.20 |
|
D. Coffman |
11-2 (18.18) |
2-0 (0.00) |
18-5 (27.78) |
29-7 (24.14) |
0.48 |
Table C-2c. Expected Walks for Ruth in 1929.
|
Pitcher |
1926-1928 PA-W (W%) |
1929 PA-W (W%) |
1930-1932 PA-W (W%) |
*1926-1932* PA-W (W%) |
*1929* EXP W |
|
E. Morris |
10-3 (30.00) |
18-1 (5.56) |
17-5 (29.41) |
27-8 (29.63) |
5.33 |
|
G. Earnshaw |
8-2 (25.00) |
15-3 (20.00) |
39-3 (7.69) |
47-5 (10.64) |
1.60 |
|
L. Brown |
7-1 (14.29) |
15-1 (6.67) |
64-10 (15.63) |
71-11 (15.49) |
2.32 |
|
G. Grant |
6-2 (33.33) |
0-0 (0.00) |
——— |
6-2 (33.33) |
0.0 |
|
E. Walsh |
5-1 (20.00) |
3-1 (25.00) |
4-1 (25.00) |
9-2 (22.22) |
0.67 |
|
J. Miljus |
4-0 (0.00) |
6-2 (33.33) |
——— |
4-0 (0.00) |
0.00 |
|
P. Hopkins |
2-0 (0.00) |
1-0 (0.00) |
——— |
2-0 (0.00) |
0.00 |
|
P. Page |
2-0 (0.00) |
1-0 (0.00) |
2-1 (50.00) |
4-1 (25.00) |
0.25 |
|
E. Strelecki |
2-0 (0.00) |
0-0 (0.00) |
——— |
2-0 (0.00) |
0.0 |
|
B. Shores |
2-1 (50.00) |
4-0 (0.00) |
7-3 (42.57) |
9-4 (44.44) |
1.78 |
|
P. Simmons |
2-1 (50.00) |
2-1 (50.00) |
——— |
2-1 (50.00) |
1.00 |
|
J. Billings |
2-0 (0.00) |
3-0 (0.00) |
——— |
2-0 (0.00) |
0.00 |
|
M. Harder |
1-0 (0.00) |
0-0 (0.00) |
9-4 (44.44) |
10-4 (40.00) |
0.00 |
|
C. Sullivan |
1-1 (100.00) |
0-0 (0.00) |
12-3 (25.00) |
13-4 (30.77) |
0.00 |
|
H. McKain |
——— |
15-2 (13.33) |
21-6 (28.57) |
21-6 (28.57) |
4.29 |
|
W. Ferrell |
——— |
10-3 (30.00) |
61-11 (18.03) |
61-11 (18.03) |
1.80 |
|
M. Shoffner |
——— |
8-0 (0.00) |
26-3 (11.54) |
26-3 (11.54) |
0.92 |
|
B. Weiland |
——— |
5-1 (20.00) |
16-5 (31.25) |
16-5 (31.25) |
1.56 |
|
E. Durham |
——— |
3-0 (0.00) |
18-2 (11.11) |
18-2 (11.11) |
0.33 |
|
C. Kimsey |
——— |
2-0 (0.00) |
15-2 (13.33) |
15-2 (13.33) |
0.27 |
|
A. Liska |
——— |
2-1 (50.00) |
2-1 (50.00) |
2-1 (50.00) |
1.00 |
|
A Prudhomme |
——— |
7-2 (28.57) |
——— |
——— |
——— |
|
D. Dugan |
——— |
6-3 (50.00) |
——— |
——— |
——— |
|
E. Yde |
——— |
5-1 (20.00) |
——— |
——— |
——— |
|
R. Dobens |
——— |
4-1 (25.00) |
——— |
——— |
——— |
|
E. Carroll |
——— |
3-0 (0.00) |
——— |
——— |
——— |
|
S. Graham |
——— |
3-0 (0.00) |
——— |
——— |
——— |
|
D. Savidge |
——— |
3-0 (0.00) |
——— |
——— |
——— |
Appendix D
Details for Babe Ruth’s 10-Game Segments with Very Low W%s
Table D-1a. Babe Ruth’s Performance May 15-25, 1929.
|
Game |
Opp |
Pitchers (IP) |
PA-AB-H-W |
BP – Batter |
Score |
|
5-15 |
CLE* |
Joe Shaute (9.0) |
4-4-0-0 |
3 – Gehrig |
1-7 |
|
5-17 |
BOS |
Ed Morris (9.0) |
6-6-1-0 |
3 – Gehrig |
3-5 (12) |
|
5-18 (1) |
BOS |
Danny MacFayden (6.0) Ed Durham (2.0) |
3-2-0-0 (SF) 1-1-0-0 |
3 – Gehrig |
5-2 |
|
5-18 (2) |
BOS |
Milt Gaston (8.0) |
4-4-1-0 |
3 – Gehrig |
5-0 |
|
5-19 |
BOS |
Jack Russell (8.0) |
3-3-1-0 (HR) |
3 – Gehrig |
3-0 (5) |
|
5-22 (1) |
WAS |
Sad Sam Jones (4.1) Firpo Marberry (4.2) |
2-2-0-0 2-2-0-0 |
3 – Gehrig |
2-10 |
|
5-22 (2) |
WAS |
Garland Braxton (9.0) |
4-4-1-0 (T) |
3 – Gehrig |
2-3 |
|
5-23 |
BOS* |
Milt Gaston (8.0) Ed Morris (0.1) Ed Durham (0.2) |
4-4-1-0 (HR) 0-0-0-0 1-1-0-0 |
4 – Lazzeri |
7-6 |
|
5-24 |
BOS* |
Danny MacFayden (9.0) |
4-3-0-1 |
4 – Lazzeri |
0-5 |
|
5-25 (1) |
BOS* |
Jack Russell (5.0) Bill Bayne (4.0) |
3-3-1-0 1-1-0-0 |
4 – Lazzeri |
8-10 |
Table D-1b. Babe Ruth’s Performance August 17-27, 1929.
|
Game |
Opp |
Pitchers (IP) |
PA-AB-H-W |
BP – Batter |
Score |
|
8-17 |
DET* |
Vic Sorrell (3.0) Emil Yde (6.0) |
2-2-2-0 (D, HR) 3-2-0-1 |
4 – Gehrig |
7-2 |
|
8-18 |
CWS* |
Ted Lyons (9.0) |
2-2-0-0 |
4 – Gehrig |
2-3 |
|
8-19 |
CWS* |
Hal McKain (9.0) |
4-4-2-0 |
4 – Gehrig |
3-2 |
|
8-20 |
CWS* |
Red Faber (9) |
5-5-0-0 |
4 – Gehrig |
5-4 |
|
8-21 |
CWS* |
Tommy Thomas (9.0) |
5-5-1-0 |
4 – Gehrig |
3-4 |
|
8-22 |
SLB* |
Sam Gray (9.0) |
4-4-1-0 |
4 – Combs |
0-10 |
|
8-23 |
SLB* |
George Blaeholder (9.0) |
4-4-0-0 |
4 – Combs |
0-5 |
|
8-24 |
SLB* |
General Crowder (9.0) |
3-3-0-0 |
4 – Combs |
0-4 |
|
8-25 |
SLB* |
Lefty Stewart (9.0) |
4-4-3-0 (2 HR) |
3 – Combs |
2-3 |
|
8-27 |
PHA |
George Earnshaw (7.0) Lefty Grove (1.0) |
1-1-0-0 0-0-0-0 |
3 – Combs |
2-0 |
NOTES: (1) In the 8-18 game, Ruth left the game in top of the third inning due to a pulled side muscle. (2) In the 8-27 game, Ruth left the game in the top of the second inning due to a strained back.
Table D-1c. Babe Ruth’s Performance August 28 to September 07, 1929.
|
Game |
Opp |
Pitchers (IP) |
PA-AB-H-W |
BP – Batter |
Score |
|
8-28 |
PHA |
Rube Walberg (3.2) Jack Quinn (1.1) Eddie Rommel (1.0) Lefty Grove (3.0) |
2-2-2-0 (HR) 1-1-0-0 0-0-0-0 2-2-0-0 |
3 – Combs |
7-9 |
|
8-29 (1) |
WAS |
Firpo Marberry (8.0) |
4-3-1-0 (HR, SF) |
3 – Durst |
5-4 |
|
8-29 (2) |
WAS |
Bump Hadley (9.0) |
4-4-1-0 |
3 – Durst |
4-8 |
|
8-31 (1) |
WAS |
Garland Braxton (4.1) Bump Hadley (3.2) |
3-3-1-0 (T) 1-1-0-0 |
3 – Meusel |
4-0 |
|
8-31 (2) |
WAS |
Bobby Burke (5.0) Don Savidge (3.0) |
3-3-1-0 (HR) 3-3-2-0 (HR) |
3 – Meusel |
13-3 |
|
9-01 |
BOS* |
Bill Bayne (7.0) Ed Carroll (2.0) |
4-4-1-0 (HR) |
3 – Meusel |
6-4 |
|
9-02 (1) |
PHA* |
Jack Quinn (9.0) |
4-4-2-0 (D) |
3 – Combs |
3-10 |
|
9-02 (2) |
PHA* |
Rube Walber (5.2) Howard Ehmke (3.1) |
3-3-1-0 1-1-0-0 |
3 – Meusel |
5-6 |
|
9-03 |
PHA* |
George Earnshaw (9.0) |
4-4-0-0 |
3 – Combs |
2-10 |
|
9-07 (1) |
DET |
George Uhle (9.0) |
4-4-2-0 |
3 – Combs |
5-4 |
Appendix E
Coverage of Bases on Balls Leaders by The Sporting News (1926-1932)
1926 — “Ruth’s Bat Is Best Producer of Runs,” The Sporting News, December 9, 1926, page 8 — “As a drawer of free trips to first, Ruth [with 144] also had a long lead [over the runner-up, Topper Rigney (108)].”
1927 — “Lou Gehrig Leads in Runs Driven In … He and Ruth Also Draw Enough Bases on Balls and Fan Enough to Put Club in Front in Two Items,” The Sporting News, January 19, 1928, page 7 — “Babe Ruth, who led in homers, was second in runs batted in, with 164, and the Babe also led in drawing bases on balls, being walked 138 times. Gehrig was next in this respect, getting 109 passes. These two put the Yankees way ahead as a club of walkers.”
1928 — “Ruth and Gehrig Finish Even Up in Sending Runs Across Plate,” The Sporting News, December 27, 1928, page 6 — “Ruth stepped into the front rank again as the recipient of the most passes, the American League pitchers walking him 135 times.”
1929 — “Simmons’ Value to A’s Shown in Run Scoring,” The Sporting News, January 23, 1930, page 7 — “Max Bishop, Simmons’ teammate, was the most successful when it came to working pitchers for bases on balls. He was walked 128 times in 129 games. Lu Blue of the St. Louis Browns, was second with 126 for 151 contests, while Lou Gehrig of the Yankees and Jimmie Foxx of the A’s went over the century mark. Ruth, who has been honored for years with more than 100 passes per season and holds the record with 170, walked 72 times in 135 games.”
1930 — “Lou Gehrig Drove in 174 Runs, Again Topping Sluggers,” The Sporting News, December 4, 1930, page 5 — “In 1929, four players, Bishop, Blue, Gehrig, and Foxx, worked the pitchers for more than 100 bases on balls, but this season the number has been reduced to three. Ruth was passed 136 times in 145 games, Bishop was favored 128 times, which exactly equals his 1929 record, and Gehrig just crossed the line 101 times in 154 games.”
1931 — “Lou Gehrig Again Sets League Mark for Runs Batted In,” The Sporting News, December 17, 1931, page 5 — Ruth was the league leader in getting bases on balls with 128, and this was the tenth season he has received 100 or more free tickets to first base. Just four players in the league drew more than 100 passes, Ruth walking 128 times, Lu Blue of the White Sox 127; Lou Gehrig of the Yankees, 117; and Max Bishop of the Athletics, 112.”
1932 — “Foxx Tops League in Runs Batted In with Total of 169 … Gehrig and Simmons Next, Each Batting Home 151; Ruth Gets Most Passes,” The Sporting News, December 22, 1932, page 5 — “The Bambino was the most walked batter in the league, taking a free trip to first 130 times. This number did not approach Ruth’s record of 170, established in 1923, but placed him far ahead of Foxx, who strolled 116 times.”
Appendix F
Babe Ruth’s Runs Scored (1926-32)
The Sultan of Swat was a prolific scorer of runs. In his entire ML career, he topped the AL in runs scored eight times; he still holds the single-season record for most runs scored in the Junior Circuit — 177 (in 1921). For the 1926-1932 time frame, Ruth topped the loop in 1926 (139), 1927 (158), and 1928 (163). After finishing fifth in the 1929 (121), he came in second in both 1930 (150) an 1931 (149). While not a cause of Ruth’s anomalously low walks in 1929, a direct consequence of his reduced bases on balls was his reduced runs scored. Table E presents pertinent information for The Bambino’s adjusted runs scored per adjusted plate appearances during the 1926-32 seasons. In order to score a run, a player must first get on base. The principal ways of getting on base are base hits and walks. So, with Ruth’s reduced number of walks in 1929, one should expect a commensurate reduction in his runs scored. Since one automatically scores a run when one hits a home run, to level the playing field for ascertaining the effect of walks on runs scored, it is appropriate to adjust the player’s absolute plate appearances and absolute runs scored by subtracting the number of home runs the player slugged. Inspection of Table E reveals that Ruth’s adjusted runs per adjusted plate appearances was the lowest in 1929 — .139 compared to values of .152, .155, and .173 in his previous three campaigns, as well as his subsequent two seasons — .161 and .167. At first blush, it appears that his *R*/*PA* ratio for 1932 is also anomalous. Indeed, it is, but only because in 1932 Ruth was replaced by a pinch runner an unusually high number of times. Thus, in 1929, Ruth was replaced by a pinch runner only once — by Cedric Durst in the first game of the July 19 double header; Durst subsequently scored. In 1932, Ruth was replaced by a pinch runner 19 times, primarily by Sammy “Babe Ruth’s Legs” Byrd (14 times) and also by Myril Hoag (5 times). The substitute runners scored 11 runs thanks to Ruth having gotten on base for them — Byrd (8 runs); Hoag (3 runs). Had The Bambino not been replaced by a pinch runner, he would have scored 131 runs in 1932, which would have afforded a *R*/*PA* ratio of .164, a value aligned nicely with those achieved in 1930 and 1931.
Table E. Runs Scored Statistics for Babe Ruth (1926-32).
|
Year (W) |
PA |
R |
HR |
*PA* |
*R* |
*R*/*PA* |
|
1926 (144) |
652 |
139 |
47 |
605 |
92 |
.152 |
|
1927 (137) |
691 |
158 |
60 |
631 |
98 |
.155 |
|
1928 (137) |
684 |
163 |
54 |
630 |
109 |
.173 |
|
1929 (72) |
587 |
121 |
46 |
541 |
75 |
.139 |
|
1930 (136) |
676 |
150 |
49 |
627 |
101 |
.161 |
|
1931 (128) |
663 |
149 |
46 |
617 |
103 |
.167 |
|
1932 (130) |
589 |
120 |
41 |
548 |
79 |
.144 |
NOTES: (1) The PA, R, and HR columns give Ruth’s Plate Appearances, Runs, and Home Runs, as shown on Retrosheet’s Splits File. The *PA* and *R* columns give Ruth’s adjusted Plate Appearances and adjusted Runs — i.e., after subtracting his home runs from his PA and R stats.