Arky Vaughan
Hard-hitting Arky Vaughan was among the Senior Circuit's leading hitters during the 1930s, and was considered the best shortstop in the league. He led NL shortstops in putouts in 1936, 1938, and 1939, assists in 1936, 1938, and 1939, and fielding percentage in 1940. His 1935 season, in which he batted .385, is among the best ever by a shortstop. Vaughan, an avid outdoorsman, died on August 30, 1952, near his home in California. He was fishing when a storm unexpectedly hit the area. His boat was found, but his body never was. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1985.
Played For
Pittsburgh Pirates (1932-1941)
Brooklyn Dodgers (1942-1948)
All-Time Rankings
Arky Vaughan ranks #7 among the Top 50 all-time at SS. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1935
Perhaps more than any other Hall of Famer, Vaughan had one year that stands out head and shoulders above the rest. In '35 he batted .385 at the age of 23, and was promptly anointed the next Honus Wagner. He never really delivered on that unfair promise, but he was solid. However, Johnny Pesky, Cecil Travis, and several other shortstops had very good careers too, but they didn't get the HOF nod. That has a lot to do with the huge '35 season Arky put up. Vaughan's .607 slugging percentage was nearly 100 points higher than his next best effort. Really, what Vaughan did well was hit for average and take the walk. He also hit doubles well. He wasn't known as a great fielder, but he was decent. He was the best shortstop in the NL in the 1930's, as evidenced by his nine All-Star nods. But he was not a Hall of Famer, in my opinion.
Description
Vaughan was a relatively quiet man, who was famous for his good manners and dignified manner. He was, to be cliche, a southern gentleman. Underneath however, raged the heart of a fiery competitor. A few times in his career he lost his cool and flashed his temper. Once he confronted shortstop Dick Bartell, who had criticized Vaughan in the press, and on another occasion, Vaughan left the Dodgers when he had a disagreement with the volatile Leo Durocher.
Born
Joseph Floyd Vaughan was born on March 9, 1912, in Clifty, AR.
Died
August 30, 1952, Eagleville, CA
Batted: Left
Threw: Right
Primary Position: SS
Primary Team: PIT
Major League Debut
April 17, 1932
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1932
Joe Medwick
Stan Hack
Arky Vaughan
Frankie Crosetti
Rip Sewell
Johnny Murphy
Johnny Allen
Monte Pearson
Debs Garms
Similar Players
Buddy Myer
Related Players
Honus Wagner
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1953 |
BBWAA |
1 |
.4% |
1954 |
BBWAA |
2 |
.8% |
1955 |
BBWAA |
4 |
1.6% |
1956 |
BBWAA |
9 |
4.7% |
1958 |
BBWAA |
6 |
2.3% |
1960 |
BBWAA |
10 |
3.7% |
1962 |
BBWAA |
6 |
3.8% |
1964 |
BBWAA |
17 |
8.5% |
1964 |
Run Off |
6 |
2.7% |
1966 |
BBWAA |
36 |
11.9% |
1967 |
BBWAA |
46 |
15.8% |
1967 |
Run Off |
19 |
6.2% |
1968 |
BBWAA |
82 |
29.0% |
1985 |
Veterans |
|
% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1947 World Series
Batting Feats
- June 24, 1938: Cycle...
- July 19, 1939: Cycle...
Notes
In both 1935 and 1938, Vaughan was third in NL MVP voting... Vaughan batted .364 in seven All-Star games (1934-1935, 1937, 1939-1942) and enjoyed his finest performance in the 1941 classic, making three hits and becoming the first player to belt two homers. Despite Vaughan's heroics and four RBI, the NL lost the game on the famous ninth-inning homer by Ted Williams.
All-Star Selections
1934 NL
1935 NL
1936 NL
1937 NL
1938 NL
1939 NL
1940 NL
1941 NL
1942 NL
Replaced
Tommy Thevenow
Replaced By
Vaughan missed three seasons (1944-1946 when he returned to the Dodgers in 1947, Pee Wee Reese was Brooklyn's new shortstop.
Best Strength as a Player
This guy was an excellent hitter. he was a much better hitter, for example, than Cal Ripken Jr. or Robin Yount.
Largest Weakness as a Player
He apparently had a difficult time with groundballs, and most of his errors came on muffs, rather than of the throwing variety. His throwing arm was actually quite strong.
Learn More about Arky Vaughan
Search Amazon.com for Books about Arky Vaughan ⇒
Search for Arky Vaughan at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
