Forgotten Seasons
The team became known as the "Crybaby Indians," lost the pennant to the Tigers the last week of the season, and since Trosky was one of the Indians' captains, he was labeled one of the revolt's leaders. It certainly didn't help his reputation, although there is some evidence that despite signing the petition, he was NOT one of the revolt's leaders.
TOMMY HOLMES-1945
Over the last few decades, the Yankees have made some terrible player moves. Until CBS took over the franchise, the Yankees rarely made mistakes, but in the case of Tommy Holmes, they certainly did. The Yankees signed Holmes before the 1937 season but traded him to the Boston Braves in 1941 for Buddy Hassett and Gene Moore, two players for whom space in Yankee Stadium's Monument Park will not be needed.
Holmes had a fine career with Boston, batting .302 in eleven seasons, averaging a mere 15 strikeouts a season while averaging 59 walks. In 1945, Holmes led the National League in home runs, slugging average, and set a National League record by hitting safely in 37 consecutive games, a record broken by future Hall of Famer Pete Rose. That same season he set a record by becoming the only player to lead the league in home runs and fewest strikeouts, a record that is certain to stand forever since a strikeout is now considered just another out by Bill James.
BILLY GOODMAN-1950
Billy Goodman was a man without a position. He played first, second, third, shortstop, and the outfield during his sixteen year career, batting over .300 five times. He is rarely mentioned anymore, primarily because he hit only 19 career home runs, but in 1950 he won the American League batting title with a .354 average while playing five positions for the Boston Red Sox.
Goodman started out as the Red Sox first baseman in 1948, batting .298, but when power hitting rookie Walt Dropo entered the scene in 1950, Goodman became a player without a regular position. Finally, when Red Sox second baseman Bobby Doerr retired, Goodman became the team's second baseman.
In 2004 Goodman was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame. He had a lifetime .300 batting average and was a pesky hitter (similar to Johnny) who could start a rally by getting on base or by getting an important hit in a clutch situation. From 1940 through 1960, the only American League hitter to have a higher season's batting
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