Gene Bearden
On October 4, 1948, 26-year old rookie Gene Bearden pitched the Cleveland Indians to their first pennant in 28 years. He defeated the Red Sox at Fenway Park in a special one-game playoff, hurling a complete-game, 8-3 victory. Using a floating knuckleball, the left-hander breezed to 20 wins that season, but never came close to approaching that sort of success again. He struggled to stay in the rotation the remainder of his career, retiring with 45 wins after bouncing to four other American League teams.
Played For
Cleveland Indians (1947-1950)
Washington Senators (1950-1951)
Detroit Tigers (1951)
St. Louis Browns (1952)
Chicago White Sox (1953)
Best Season: 1948
The southpaw tossed six shutouts, and every one of them was critical in the tight pennant race. He also relieved in 18 games and hit well. He slugged a pair of homers and batted in 14 runs in 90 at-bats.
Born
Henry Eugene Bearden was born on September 5, 1920, in Lexa, AR.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
Primary Position: P
Primary Team: CLE
Major League Debut
May 10, 1947
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1947
Nellie Fox
Duke Snider
Larry Doby
Jackie Robinson
Curt Simmons
Mel Parnell
Vic Wertz
Ted Kluszewski
Ferris Fain
Similar Players
Bearden is one of the few left-handed knuckleballers in history, though another 1940s pitcher, Mickey Haefner, also relied on the pitch.
Post-Season Appearances
1948 World Series
Transactions
Before 1939 Season: Signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent.
Before 1940 Season: Sent from the Philadelphia Phillies to the Miami Beach (Florida East Coast) in an unknown transaction.
June, 1942: Sent from the Savannah (South Atlantic) to the New York Yankees in an unknown transaction.
December 6, 1946: Traded by the New York Yankees with Al Gettel and Hal Peck to the Cleveland Indians for Sherm Lollar and Ray Mack.
Bearden was recommended to Cleveland owner Bill Veeck by his friend Casey Stengel, who had managed Bearden with the Oakland Oaks.
August 2, 1950: Selected off waivers by the Washington Senators from the Cleveland Indians.
April 26, 1951: Selected off waivers by the Detroit Tigers from the Washington Senators.
February 14, 1952: Traded by the Detroit Tigers with Bob Cain and Dick Kryhoski to the St. Louis Browns for Dick Littlefield, Ben Taylor, Cliff Mapes, and Matt Batts.
March 18, 1953: Selected off waivers by the Chicago White Sox from the St. Louis Browns.
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