Carl Hubbell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carl Hubbell |
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: June 22, 1903 Carthage, Missouri, U.S. |
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| Died: November 21, 1988 (aged 85) Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| July 26, 1928, for the New York Giants | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| August 24, 1943, for the New York Giants | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 253–154 | ||
| Earned run average | 2.98 | ||
| Strikeouts | 1,677 | ||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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 Baseball Hall of Fame |
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| Induction | 1947 | ||
| Vote | 87.0% (third ballot) | ||
Carl Owen Hubbell (born June 22, 1903 – died November 21, 1988) was a famous American baseball player. People called him "the Meal Ticket" and "King Carl". He was a pitcher for the New York Giants from 1928 to 1943. He was so important to the team that he stayed working for them his whole life.
Carl Hubbell won the Most Valuable Player award twice in the National League. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1947. He set a major league record by winning 24 games in a row between 1936 and 1937. He is most famous for striking out five future Hall of Famers in a row during the 1934 All-Star Game. His main pitch was a special one called the screwball.
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Early Life and Baseball Start
Carl Hubbell was born in Carthage, Missouri. He was one of seven children. He grew up in Meeker, Oklahoma, and went to high school there.
After high school, Carl worked for an oil company. He also played on their baseball team. This experience encouraged him to play baseball professionally.
Playing in the Major Leagues
Starting in Minor Leagues
Carl Hubbell began his baseball journey in 1923. He played in the Oklahoma State League. By 1925, he was playing for the Oklahoma City Indians. He had a good record of 17 wins and 13 losses. He used his special screwball pitch a lot.
The Detroit Tigers noticed him and signed him. They invited him to spring training in 1926. But the Tigers' coaches did not like his screwball. They worried it would hurt his arm. Without his favorite pitch, Carl didn't play well.
He was sent to other minor league teams. He was even told not to throw his screwball. Carl was so frustrated that he almost quit baseball. But then, a scout for the New York Giants saw him play. The scout, Dick Kinsella, was very impressed. He told Giants manager John McGraw about Carl. McGraw knew that another great pitcher, Christy Mathewson, also used a similar pitch. So, the Giants decided to give Carl a chance.
Becoming a New York Giants Star (1928–1943)
Carl Hubbell joined the New York Giants in 1928. He won 10 games and lost 6 in his first season. He played his entire major league career with the Giants. He was known for his slow, tricky screwball pitch.
Carl had five amazing seasons in a row, from 1933 to 1937. In each of these years, he won 20 or more games. He helped the Giants win three National League titles. They also won the 1933 World Series. In that World Series, he won two games. One of these was an 11-inning game where he only allowed one run.
Carl Hubbell finished his career with 253 wins and 154 losses. He struck out 1,677 batters. His earned run average (ERA) was very low at 2.98. He also pitched 36 shutouts. A shutout is when a pitcher doesn't let the other team score any runs.
Carl Hubbell set a major league record. He won 24 games in a row between 1936 and 1937. He was named the National League MVP twice (in 1933 and 1936). In 1936, he was the first player ever to be chosen as MVP by everyone voting.
He led the league in wins three times (1933, 1936, 1937). He also led the league in ERA three times (1933, 1934, 1936). In 1937, he led the league in strikeouts. Carl also pitched a no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1929. This means no batter on the other team got a hit. He even pitched an 18-inning shutout game in 1933!
After his playing career ended in 1943, Carl Hubbell continued with the Giants. He became the director of player development. He held this job for 35 years. He then worked as a scout for the team. He stayed with the Giants organization for his entire life.
Amazing All-Star Game Moment
One of Carl Hubbell's most famous moments happened in the 1934 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. This game was played at the Polo Grounds. He did something incredible: he struck out five future Hall of Fame players in a row! These legendary players were Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin.
Striking out batters was not as common back then as it is today. So, this achievement was truly special. Fifty years later, in 1984, Carl Hubbell was invited to throw out the first pitch at the 1984 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Of course, he threw his famous screwball!
Personal Life
Carl Hubbell was married to Lucille "Sue" Harrington from 1930 until she passed away. They had two sons, Carl Jr. and James. Carl Jr. later became an officer in the United States Marine Corps.
Carl Hubbell passed away on November 21, 1988, from injuries after a car accident. He is buried in Meeker, Oklahoma.
Baseball Honors
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| Carl Hubbell's number 11 was retired by the New York Giants in 1944. |
Carl Hubbell was chosen as an All-Star nine times during his career. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1947. He was the first player for the National League Giants to have his jersey number (11) retired. This means no other player on the team can wear that number. His number is displayed at Oracle Park, where the Giants play today.
Carl Hubbell even appeared as himself in a movie called Big Leaguer. He was also mentioned in a famous poem about baseball players called "Line-Up for Yesterday".
See also
- List of Major League Baseball individual streaks
- List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual saves leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders
- List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
- List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise
- Associated Press Athlete of the Year
