Jack Tobin
The diminutive right fielder in one of baseball's greatest outfields, Jack Tobin hit .309 in a 13-year career, which included stints in the Federal League and American League. As the leadoff man for the St. Louis Browns in the 1920s, Tobin scored as many as 132 runs and reached the 200-hit mark four consecutive years. A speedy runner with great bat control, the left-handed hitter was one of the best drag-bunters in baseball history.
Played For
St. Louis Terriers (1914-1915)
St. Louis Browns (1916-1925)
Washington Senators (1926)
Boston Red Sox (1926-1927)
All-Time Rankings
Jack Tobin ranks #50 among the Top 50 all-time at RF. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1921
Batting leadoff in front of Baby Doll Jacobson, George Sisler, and Ken Williams, Tobin reached base via a hit or walk 281 times. The left-handed hitter scored 132 runs and batted .352 with 18 triples.
Big Train Wrecker
On August 6th, 1922, in St. Louis, Walter Johnson gave up the first grand slam of his career, a third inning shot by Tobin, as the Browns topped the Senators, 8–4. Later in his career, Tobin blasted a second grand slam off the "Big Train."
Born
John Thomas Tobin was born on May 4, 1892, in St. Louis, MO.
Died
December 10, 1969, St.Louis, MO
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
Primary Position: OF
Primary Team: SLA
Major League Debut
April 16, 1914 ... Tobin debuted in the Federal League.
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1914
Babe Ruth
Harry Heilmann
George Burns
Everett Scott
Red Faber
Sad Sam Jones
Dolf Luque
Jack Tobin
Braggo Roth
Similar Players
Pete Fox, Sammy West
Related Players
Baby Doll Jacobson, Ken Williams
Hitting Streaks
21 games (1922)
Transactions
Before 1916 Season: Jumped from the St. Louis Terriers to the St. Louis Browns; February, 1926: Traded by the St. Louis Browns with Joe Bush to the Washington Senators for Tom Zachary and Win Ballou; July 31, 1926: Purchased by the Boston Red Sox from the Washington Senators.
Replaced
When Tobin jumped to the American League and the Browns, he joined a muddied St. Louis outfield that included the old: Burt Shotton and Grump Miller, and the new: Tobin, Baby Doll Jacobson, and Tod Sloan. Tobin and Jacobson both played some at all three outfield positions. Sloan never panned out.
Replaced By
In 1925, the Browns broke up their vaunted outfield trio, and Tobin was the first man to lose his job. Harry Rice, who came from a baseball family, won the right field job, hitting .359. The next spring, Tobin was dealt to Washington in a four-player trade that netted them two pitchers, including the veteran Tom Zachary.
Best Strength as a Player
Tobin was a gifted bunter.
Largest Weakness as a Player
In part because of his size, Tobin was fragile. He was also a mediocre defensive right fielder.
Learn More about Jack Tobin
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