Allie Reynolds facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Allie Reynolds |
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Reynolds, c. 1953
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: February 10, 1917 Bethany, Oklahoma, U.S. |
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| Died: December 26, 1994 (aged 77) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| September 17, 1942, for the Cleveland Indians | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 25, 1954, for the New York Yankees | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 182–107 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.30 | ||
| Strikeouts | 1,423 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Allie Pierce Reynolds (born February 10, 1917 – died December 26, 1994) was a famous American Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher. He played for 13 years with the Cleveland Indians (1942–1946) and the New York Yankees (1947–1954). People called him "Superchief" because he was part of the Muscogee people.
Allie Reynolds went to Capitol Hill High School and Oklahoma A&M College. He was great at many sports there. His baseball coach, Henry Iba, first saw Allie when he was throwing a javelin. Allie was so good at baseball and American football that he decided to play professional baseball.
During his time in the major leagues, Allie Reynolds had a great record. He won 182 games and lost 107. His ERA was 3.30, and he struck out 1,423 batters. He was chosen as an All-Star six times. He also won the World Series six times with the Yankees. In 1951, he was named the top American professional athlete and won the Hickok Belt. Many people think he should be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
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Allie Reynolds: Early Life and College
Allie Reynolds was born on February 10, 1917, in Bethany, Oklahoma. His father was a preacher. His mother was a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Allie was also enrolled as a member. When he was young, he did not play baseball because his father did not like sports on Sundays. But Allie loved football and convinced his father to let him play.
He went to Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma City. There, he was a star in American football as a quarterback and running back. He was also excellent in track and field, especially in the javelin throw and the 100-yard dash. He played fast-pitch softball for his father's church team, which did not play on Sundays. He met his future wife, Dale Earleane Jones, there. They got married on July 7, 1935.
Allie received a scholarship to Oklahoma A&M College for track. He also played on the football team. He studied education and earned a teaching license. The baseball coach, Henry Iba, first noticed Allie when he was practicing javelin throws.
Coach Iba asked Allie to throw pitches for batting practice. Allie threw strikes without warming up. He struck out the first four batters. In 1938, Allie was the captain of the baseball team. He played as an outfielder and pitcher. He led his team to win the state conference baseball championship.
The New York Giants of the National Football League wanted Allie to play football for them. But Allie liked baseball more. He thought he could earn more money playing baseball. So, he decided not to sign with the Giants.
Allie's Start in Minor League Baseball
Coach Iba was friends with Hugh Alexander, a scout for the Cleveland Indians. The Indians signed Allie as a free agent in 1939. He received a $1,000 bonus. He started playing for the Springfield Indians in a lower league. In 1940, he played for the Cedar Rapids Raiders. He played right field when he wasn't pitching.
The Indians wanted Allie to become a catcher because he was a great athlete. But Allie did not want to change positions. He thought about quitting baseball if he didn't reach the major leagues soon. In 1942, he had an amazing year. He won 18 games and lost 7. His ERA was only 1.56. He pitched 11 shutouts and 21 complete games. He also struck out 193 batters. This earned him a promotion to the major leagues.
Allie Reynolds: Major League Career
Playing for the Cleveland Indians
Allie Reynolds played his first major league game on September 17, 1942. He pitched in two games for the Indians that year. The Indians hoped Allie would become a star pitcher. Their best pitcher, Bob Feller, was serving in the military during World War II. Allie took a physical exam for the military. But because of his family and past football injuries, he was not drafted.
He started the 1943 season in the Indians' bullpen. He made his first start on June 20. The Indians' player-manager, Lou Boudreau, used Allie as a reliever and a starter. Allie led the American League (AL) in strikeouts in 1943 with 151. He also allowed the fewest hits per nine innings. In 1945, he led the AL in walks.
During his five years with the Indians, Allie was mainly a starting pitcher. But he also showed he could pitch in different ways. He played in 139 games for the Indians. He started 100 games and finished 27. He had 41 complete games, 9 shutouts, and 8 saves.
Becoming a New York Yankee Star
On October 11, 1946, Allie Reynolds was traded to the New York Yankees. The Yankees traded second baseman Joe Gordon for him. The Yankees needed good pitchers. The Indians needed a second baseman. Yankees star Joe DiMaggio told the team to get Reynolds. DiMaggio said, "I'm a fastball hitter, but he can buzz his hard one by me any time he has a mind to."
Allie quickly became the Yankees' best pitcher. In his first year with the Yankees, he had the best winning percentage in the AL. In 1949, he joined Vic Raschi and Eddie Lopat. They helped the Yankees win the first of five straight league championships. This was a new record! Allie played many important roles for these winning teams. In his first six years with the Yankees, he averaged over 232 innings pitched. He also averaged 17.5 wins and 14 complete games.
In 1950, Allie won 16 games. He pitched even though he had bone chips in his elbow. In 1951, he had a tough start. Chips in his elbow kept him from throwing in spring training. Doctors told him not to have surgery. He played his first game one week after the season began.
Allie's Two No-Hitters in 1951
On July 12 and September 28, 1951, Allie Reynolds threw no-hitters. A no-hitter is when a pitcher completes a game without allowing any hits. He was the first American League pitcher to throw two no-hitters in one season. Only one other player, Johnny Vander Meer, had done it before. This record is still shared by Allie and a few other pitchers.
His first no-hitter was on July 12, 1951. He beat his old team, the Indians, 1–0. Gene Woodling hit a solo home run for the only run. Allie retired the last 17 Indians batters. Only four Indians reached base. He walked three batters, and one reached on an error.
His second no-hitter was on September 28, 1951. He beat the Boston Red Sox 8–0. This win helped the Yankees secure the AL pennant. Allie struck out nine batters. He walked four, but no Red Sox batter came close to getting a hit. In the ninth inning, with two outs, Ted Williams hit a pop fly. Yankees catcher Yogi Berra dropped the ball. Allie stayed calm and told Yogi, "Don't worry, we'll get him again." Allie was right, and Williams popped up again. This time, Yogi caught it.
In 1952, Allie had his best season. He won 20 games and lost only 8. He led the American League in ERA (2.06), strikeouts (160), and shutouts (6). He also saved six games.
Allie played in the MLB All-Star Game in 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, and 1954. With the Yankees, he played in the World Series in 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, and 1953. He had a great record in the World Series, winning 7 games and losing 2. He also had a 2.79 ERA over 77 innings. He helped the Yankees win the final games of the 1950, 1952, and 1953 World Series.
Allie won the Hickok Belt as the top professional athlete of 1951. He was also voted Player of the Year by baseball writers in New York. He finished third in voting for the AL Most Valuable Player Award. In 1952, he was the MVP runner-up.
Allie hurt his back in 1953 when the team bus crashed into an overpass. He retired after the 1954 season because of this injury.
The "Superchief" Nickname
Allie Reynolds was known as "Superchief." People often said it was because he was part of the Creek Indian tribe and was always in charge on the pitching mound. It was common for baseball players with Native American heritage to be called 'Chief' back then.
His former teammate, Bobby Brown, explained the nickname. He said Allie's heritage and a famous train influenced it. The Santa Fe Railroad had a fast, powerful, and elegant train called the Super Chief. Bobby Brown felt the name fit Allie for the same reasons.
Bobby Brown also said Allie was not fully comfortable with the nickname. This was because the title 'chief' was very important. But his teammates called him Chief. "When we talked with him, we called him Allie," Brown said. "But when he wasn't in the room, he was referred to as the Chief, because we felt he was the one at the top, the real leader."
Honors and Legacy
The Yankees honored Allie Reynolds by dedicating a plaque for him. It hangs in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium. This happened on August 26, 1989. Allie was also inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 1986. Oklahoma State University renamed their baseball stadium after him.
In 1993, Allie received the Jim Thorpe Lifetime Achievement Award. An award called the "Allie P. Reynolds Award" was created in 1998. It is given each year to an Oklahoma high school senior. This award honors students who show great scholarship, leadership, community help, and character.
Baseball Hall of Fame Consideration
Allie Reynolds was considered for the National Baseball Hall of Fame. However, he did not get enough votes to be elected. In 1968, he received 33.6% of the votes. Players need 75% to be inducted.
He was considered again by special committees in 2009, 2011, and 2021. In 2009, he missed election by just one vote. Even though he is not in the Hall of Fame, many experts believe he was a very good pitcher.
After Baseball
After his baseball career, Allie Reynolds became a successful oil businessman. He had started investing in oil wells while he was still playing.
Allie stayed involved with baseball. He helped negotiate the players' pension plan. He later sued the plan's administrators to protect retired players' rights.
In 1969, Allie became the President of the American Association. This was a Class AAA baseball league. He served as president until 1971. He resigned to spend more time with his family and focus on his businesses. He was also the President of the National Hall of Fame for Famous American Indians in Anadarko, Oklahoma. He held this position from 1978 until his death.
Allie Reynolds was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1991.
He passed away in Oklahoma City on December 26, 1994. He died from complications of lymphoma and diabetes. He was survived by his son, daughter, eight grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.
See Also
- List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders
- List of Major League Baseball players who pitched two no-hitters
- List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise
Images for kids
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Reynolds, c. 1953
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Allie P. Reynolds Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma, home of the Oklahoma State Cowboys
