“FENWAY'S BEST PLAYERS”


 
1934-1937
#30   WES FERRELL

In 1929, Wes Ferrell made the big leagues and was at the peak of his career while playing for the Indians. In his five seasons with them from 1929 to 1933 he won more than 20 games four times in a row. He was probably the best pitcher in the American League other than Lefty Grove.

Wes had an excellent fastball, which he combined with a good curve and a deceptive change of pace. The second notable thing about him was his batting. He played in an era when good-hitting pitchers were not as unusual as they are today, but even by the standards of that time he stood out for his solid work at the plate, in particular his power and his ability to come through in the clutch, often as a pinch hitter.

The third thing, unfortunately, was his temperament. His anger was easily aroused by what he judged to be a bad umpire’s call or a defensive lapse on the part of one of his teammates, of which there were all too many, to the detriment of his pitching. An outspoken, competitive individual, he did not hesitate to speak his mind when angry.

In March 1934 Wes returned his contract from the Indians, unsigned and refused to report for spring training. Finally, in May, a trade was made with the Red Sox. Among the members of the team, he was about to join was his older brother Rick, who had been acquired from the St Louis Browns the previous year.

Ferrell enjoyed three good seasons in Boston, with his brother as his battery mate in each. No longer a power pitcher, he relied on control and his knowledge of the hitters for success. He ended the 1934 season with a 14–5 record. In 1935 his record was 25–14. The following year, 1936, he won 20 and lost 15. As a result of his mound prowess, he finished second in the voting for the Baseball Writers MVP award in 1935.

Nor was Wes' bat idle during this period, especially in clutch situations. Over the 1934–1936 seasons he averaged .303 at the plate, peaking with a .347 average, seven home runs, and 32 RBIs in 1935. Figures like these would be impressive for a position player, let alone a pitcher.

His temper remained volatile, however. During the 1936 season, he walked off the field in disgust and refused to continue pitching twice in the space of five days, angered each time by his teammates’ defensive shortcomings. On the second occasion, he was fined and suspended for several days. His reaction was to threaten to punch his manager, Joe Cronin, in the nose.

In 1937, after a slow start, he was traded to the Washington Senators along with his brother Rick.

Wes Ferrell’s mound record over 15 major league seasons was an impressive one. He consistently finished in or near the top ten in wins, complete games, shutouts, innings pitched, and strikeouts.