Tommy Holmes
In 1945, Tommy Holmes hit in 37 consecutive games, a National League record for the 20th century. A line drive hitter with a big smile, Holmes was a darling of Boston Braves' fans in the 1940s, batting over .300 in five straight seasons. He finished second in NL Most Valuable Player voting in 1945, when he also became the only player to lead his league in homers and fewest strikeouts in the same season. He assumed the managerial role with the Braves in the middle of the 1951 season, a move that essentially ended his playing career.
Played For
Boston Braves (1942-1951)
Brooklyn Dodgers (1952)
Managed
Boston Braves (1951-1952)
Best Season: 1945
Holmes feasted on NL pitching, leading the league in hits, total bases, doubles, home runs, and extra-base hits. Cubs' first baseman Phil Cavarretta edged him out for the batting title (on the last day of the season) and the MVP Award. On July 6, when Holmes broke Hornsby's NL record for a hitting streak, he belted a pair of homers in a doubleheader, going 6-for-10 with six RBI. At that point, it seemed he would win the triple crown, but he faltered a bit in August and September. Nevertheless, it was one of the best offensive seasons ever turned in by a Boston Brave.
The Bissonette Special
On July 3, 1945, when Tommy Holmes lined a double amidst his hitting streak, he broke his cherished favorite bat. The bat, given to him by Del Bissonette 17 years earlier, had done its' job however - as Holmes raised his batting average to .400 with the hit.
As a Manager
Holmes replaced Billy Southworth at the helm of the Braves on June 20, 1951. In spring training, Holmes had accepted the Braves' offer to manage Hartford in the Eastern league, thinking he would someday, after some seasoning, get to the majors as a manager. But Southworth stepped aside, and Holmes guided the club to a 48-47 mark, earning a contract for the '52 season. At 33 years old, he was the youngest manager in the majors. By all accounts, he was popular with his players, the media, and of course, the Boston fans. But he seemed overmatched as a manager. With essentially the same team in 1953, Charlie Grimm improved the win total by 24 games.
Born
Thomas Francis Holmes was born on March 29, 1917, in Brooklyn, NY.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
Primary Position: OF
Primary Team: BSN
Major League Debut
April 14, 1942
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1942
Tommy Holmes
Johnny Pesky
Warren Spahn
Allie Reynolds
Johnny Sain
Hank Borowy
Peanuts Lowrey
Willard Marshall
Eddie Robinson
Nicknames
Kelly
Related Players
Holmes broke the NL record for a batting streak, set by Rogers Hornsby... His mark was surpassed by Pete Rose in 1978. When Rose broke it, Holmes was in the stands, and thanked Pete for "helping people remember me."
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1958 |
BBWAA |
2 |
.8% |
1960 |
BBWAA |
2 |
.7% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1948 World Series
1952 World Series
Post-Season Notes
Holmes' RBI-single in the eighth inning of Game One in the 1948 World Series, defeated Bob Feller. It was his only RBI in the Series, in which he batted just .192 in six games.
Feats
Holmes' 37-game streak ran from June 6 to July 8, 1945. After the All-Star break, he was held hitless by the Cubs on July 12, at Wrigley Field, where he had been just 1-for-9 on the season. Cubs' hurler Hank Wyse halted Holmes, and ironically, it had been another Bruin pitcher who had last held Holmes hitless, on June 3 at Wrigley Field.
Notes
Due to the throng of fans who were supportive of Holmes in the right field bleachers at Braves Field, the area was known as "The Jury Box."
Injuries and Explanation for Missed Playing Time
When Holmes got off to a poor start at the plate in 1949, Braves' manager Billy Southworth benched him in May and June, using him sparingly. This contributed to his reduced playing time that season... Due to an unknown injury, Holmes did not start a game in right field until June 1 in 1950. He banged out three doubles and a single while replacing the slumping Willard Marshall, and played right for the remainder of the season, batting .298 in 88 games.
Hitting Streaks
37 games (1945)
20 games (1946)
20 games (1949)
Transactions
Before 1937 Season: Signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent.
Signed as a 20-year old by the Yanks, Holmes slowly made his way through their minorleague system, but was trapped there by the talent in front of him. He was not considered a blue-chip prospect, mostly because of his lack of punch at the plate.
December 9, 1941: Traded by the New York Yankees to the Boston Braves for players to be named later. The Boston Braves sent Buddy Hassett (December 16, 1941) and Gene Moore (February 5, 1942) to the New York Yankees to complete the trade.
This was a rarity - the Braves getting the best of the Yankees in a trade.
January 16, 1952: Released by the Boston Braves.
June 17, 1952: Signed as a Free Agent with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
October 15, 1952: Released by the Brooklyn Dodgers.
All-Star Selections
1945 NL
1948 NL
Best Strength as a Player
Pulling the ball.
Learn More about Tommy Holmes
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