|
The Last Dodger HR Leader
2004-11-09 16:33
When Adrian Beltre took over the major league lead in home runs this season, it was widely reported that he was the first Dodger to do so since Tim Jordan, way back in 1908. The ensuing number of people rushing to tell the story of Jordan numbered, well, in the zeroes. Until now!
That year, on one coast, San Francisco was shaken by an earthquake. On another, Brooklyn was shaken by ... Tim Jordan! Since 1900, according to Baseball Digest, three rookies have led the National League in home runs. Two of those were Brooklyn players at the turn of the century: outfielder Harry Lumley, who hit nine in 1904 (in the process becoming that rare home run leader to have more sacrifices than homers), and Jordan, who hit 12 in that 1906 season (with teammate Lumley again hitting nine to come in second). Both, by the way, finished behind the 1906 league leaders in triples, Pittsburgh's Fred Clarke and the Cubs' Frank Schulte each hitting 13, with Lumley hitting 12 in this category as well. It will go without saying for most people that this was the Deadball Era. Think Dave Ross struggled in 2004? Brooklyn's starting catcher, Bill Bergen, batted .159 with six extra-base hits and seven walks in 103 games. Only two other Superbas, Whitey Appleman and "Silent" John Hummel, even homered for the team - combining for four. Setting a precedent for Beltre, Jordan followed his smash rookie season by signing a seven-year, $103 million contract before the 1907 season (give or take six years and $102.99 million). Sadly, the cash went to his head and the homers went away from his bat. Jordan's home run production declined, by 67 percent, to four four-baggers, though the 6-foot-1, 170-pounder did boost his batting average and on-base percentage. But in 1908, Jordan rallied to post the season that would have us all (okay, me) talking 96 years later.
Despite leading the league with a home run total that was met or surpassed by 180 big leaguers in 2004, Jordan was no pansy. On July 22, 1908, Jordan became the first player to hit an over-the-fence home run at Pittsbugh's Exposition Park in the century. (Forbes Field opened the following season.) Foreshadowing many Dodger games of the future, Brooklyn lost the game, 2-1. Two weeks later, Jordan and his teammates were held hitless by St. Louis lefty Johnny Lush in a rain-shortened five-inning game, which the Cardinals won, 2-0, when Jordan dropped a fly ball with the bases loaded. Another story of the times: Jordan made 28 errors at first base that season and 89 from 1906-08. The NL's first two-time home run leader of the 1900s, Jordan was out of the majors before his 30th birthday. "Ailing knees forced his premature retirement," according to BaseballLibrary.com. Tim Jordan died, at age 70, in 1949. Fifty-five years later, he came back to life.
|
Jon Weisman's outlet
for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers and baseball. Hot from the Toaster
BlogAds
Search
Archives
2008 07 06 05 04 03 02 01 2007 12 11 10 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01 2006 12 11 10 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01 2005 12 11 10 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01 2004 12 11 10 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01 2003 12 11 10 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01 2002 09 08 07 About Jon
Jon's other site: Support Dodger Thoughts
Dodger Thoughts T-Shirts * * *
The Best of Dodger Thoughts Click here for more information.
"Dodger Thoughts, like TiVo, is one of those things you can completely do without until you start using it." - Fanerman Dodger Sites
Dodger Resources
Non-Partisan Baseball Sites
Partisan Baseball Sites
Baseball, Among Other Things
Invaluable Resources
Less Dodgers, More L.A.
All in the Family
Other Writing by Jon on the Web
SI.com Variety Also ... More Shameless Self-Promotion
2008 Season
Dodger home record: 22-20 (.524) 1991-2007
Dodgers at home: 745-600 (.554) 2008 Payroll Worksheet
Current Roster with Estimated 2008 Salaries Most figures are estimates (some are wild estimates) but will be updated as information comes in. Corrections welcome. More contract details here. Starting Pitchers (5) Bullpen (6) Starting Lineup (8) Bench (6) Disabled List Also Paying ... Working total: *$113,268,725 *Rough salary estimate The 2008 Dodgers
ESPN BR
BP
Cube Alvarez Selected Recent Ex-Dodgers
ESPN BR BP Cube Alomar Dodger Thoughts Land
Thank You For Not ...
1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity Syndication
 
About the Toaster
Baseball Toaster runs on some experimental software called Fairpole. It's still under development. For more information, please visit the Fairpole blog, or read the FAQ. |
Beltre's home run doppleganger was born on Valentine's Day in New York, 125 years ago. A left-handed-hitting first baseman, Jordan made his debut at age 22 with the 1901 Washington Senators, but five years later, had only eight games and five hits in the majors to his name when he surfaced with the Brooklyn Superbas in 1906.
When Jordan again eked out 12 home runs, for a 53-101 Brooklyn team in 1908, to 
Comment status: comments have been closed.