Wes Ferrell
One of the most competitive players to ever don a big league uniform, pitcher Wes Ferrell won 20 or more games in each of his first four seasons. When things didn't go his way, he was one of the most volatile characters in history. After being driven from the mound in one game, Ferrell destroyed the clubhouse, punched himself in the jaw so hard that he nearly knocked himelf out, and tore his uniform to shreds. Possibly the best hitting pitcher in history, Ferrell hit .280 in his career, with a record 37 homers as a pitcher.
Quotes About Ferrell
"I saw him get so mad after losing a game of poker, that he tore the deck of cards in half with his bare hands." — teammate Bill Werber
Played For
Cleveland Indians (1927-1933)
Boston Red Sox (1934-1937)
Washington Senators (1937-1938)
New York Yankees (1938-1939)
Brooklyn Dodgers (1940)
Boston Braves (1941)
Minor League Experience
Serving as player/manager for Marion of the Western Carolina League in 1948, Ferrell continued to wave his thundering bat. The 40-year old led the league with a .432 average, collecting 162 hits (in 378 at-bats), with 14 triples, 24 homers, and 120 RBI.
All-Time Rankings
Wes Ferrell ranks #37 among the Top 50 all-time at SP. Rankings ⇒
Factoids
In 1931, Wes Ferrell set a record when he hit nine homers as a pitcher.
Description
"If there was one major difference between the Ferrell brothers," wrote longtime sportswriter Bob Broeg, "it was their temperamant. wes was a prima donna and hotheaded. Rick was soft-spoken and a team player."
Born
Wesley Cheek Ferrell was born on February 2, 1908, in Greensboro, NC.
Died
December 9, 1976, Sarasota, FL
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: P
Primary Team: CLE
Major League Debut
September 9, 1927
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1927
Dick Bartell
Lloyd Waner
Sammy West
Carl Reynolds
Wes Ferrell
Wilcy Moore
Red Kress
Woody English
Fred Schulte
Family Tree
Wes and his brother Rick, who is a Hall of Fame catcher, played together for five years, from 1934-1938. The two were traded by the Red Sox to the Senators together in 1937. Many experts believe that Wes was more deserving of enshrinement in Cooperstown than his brother, who was a defensive standout, but a liability with a bat in his hands. A third Ferrell brother, George, played for two decades in the minor leagues.
Related Players
Rick Ferrell
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1949 |
BBWAA |
1 |
.7% |
1956 |
BBWAA |
7 |
3.6% |
1960 |
BBWAA |
8 |
3.0% |
1962 |
BBWAA |
1 |
.6% |
|
No-Hitter
4/29/1931: For CLE (A) vs. STL (A), 9-0 at CLE. 9 innings pitched.
Pitching Feats
Injuries and Explanation for Missed Playing Time
Ferrell was constantly doing things to get himself fined and suspended. With Cleveland, manager Roger Peckinpaugh fined him no less than seven times, and suspended him twice. On one occassion, Ferrell refused to leave a game after Peckinpaugh came to the mound to retrieve him. In Boston, Joe Cronin had his share of run-ins with Wes. Even after he left the big leagues, Ferrell's temper made headlines. While managing in the minor leagues in the 1940s, Ferrell took umbrage with a call, punched an umpire, and ordered his team to leave the field. He was fined and suspended for that one too.
All-Star Selections
1933 AL
1937 AL
Learn More about Wes Ferrell
Search Amazon.com for Books about Wes Ferrell ⇒
Search for Wes Ferrell at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
