FanPost

Indians by the Numbers — #35

Stanwilliams_2_jpg_medium

via www.autographwarehouse.com


Bromine Film*

As the numbers pass us by, we pause on the unusual number of #35. Of the 45 players to wear this number, only 12 have worn it for more than one season. And the longest number of years the jersey was worn by one person is five seasons (by Wayne Kirby), tying it with #11 and #22 for fewest number of years by the longest. Out of those 12 gentlemen, there was no clear cut winner, but after looking at each of them, Big Daddy Stanley Wilson Williams was selected as the best #35 in Tribe history.

Originally born in Enfield, New Hampshire (a sure hotbed of MLB players), Stan would journey to Colorado at some point in his youth. While attending East High School in Denver, Colorado, the Brooklyn Dodgers would sign him as an amateur free agent before the 1954 season when he was still only 17.

Williams cut his teeth with the Shawnee Hawks of the Sooner State League (Class D) with a lackluster 4.57 ERA and 1.738 WHIP in 61 IP. In 1955, he moved up to the Newport News Dodgers in VA (Class B - Piedmont League). He improved greatly that year, 18-7, 2.42 ERA and 1.314 WHIP in 242 IP. This earned him a promotion to the Fort Worth Cats (AA - Texas League) and midway in 1956 to the St. Paul Saints (AAA – American Association). He wouldn’t make it to the bigs until midway 1958, after the Dodgers had moved to Los Angeles.

After five seasons in Southern California, including an All-Star appearance in 1960 (132 ERA+), he would get shipped cross country to the Yankees for Bill "Moose" Skowron. After two seasons there, the Indians purchased him for the start of the 1965 season. He made 3 appearances in jersey #40 in 1965 before heading out to the PCL. In 1965 he was loaned out to the Seattle Angels; in 1966 the Spokane Indians (Dodgers); and finally in 1967 he was with the Tribe affiliate, the Portland Beavers. When he was recalled in July 1967, he donned #35 for the first time and had a 6-4 record in 16 games, 8 starts, with a 2.62 ERA (126 ERA+) and 1.114 WHIP in 79 IP. In 1968 and 1969 he would be a swing starter, 39 starts and 66 relief appearances, but accumulate a 19-25 record.

Over these three seasons, his final line of 25-29, 121 games, 47 starts, 3.09 ERA (108 ERA+) in 451.2 IP would enable him to achieve a 6.0 WAR, by far the best of the twelve guys reviewed for this number. After the 1969 season, he was included in the Luis Tiant deal to obtain Graig Nettles, Dean Chance, Bob Miller and Ted Uhlaender.

His final three MLB seasons had him bounce from the Twins to the Cardinals and Red Sox. He would go on to be a pitching coach for 14 seasons with the Red Sox, White Sox, Yankees, Red and Mariners. His last known job was as an advanced scout for the Washington Nationals in 2010.

*Atomic number 35 is Bromine, and bromine compounds are used in film photography; 35 mm is the film gauge most commonly used for still photography and motion pictures prior to the digital age of course.

A Brief History

After arriving from the Browns for Johnny Burnett and Bob Weiland, Bruce Campbell would put up a great line of 342/408/529 134 OPS+ and 3.0 WAR, but this would only be in 537 PA over those two seasons, starting only 116 games trying to recover from spinal meningitis. He would switch to #23 in 1937, thus depriving him the shot of being the best #35.

The career leader in PA for #35 is Harry Simpson. From 1951 to 1953, Simpson would play mainly right field and some first base, accumulating a 247/322/358 90 OPS+ and 1.3 WAR in 1253 PA. His best season was in in 1952, 266/337/396 109 OPS+ in 607 PA. After spending 1954 in Indianapolis, Simpson would get another shot in Cleveland, this time wearing #7. But this trip would be short lived (3 PA) as he was sold to the Kansas City Athletics on May 11.

The pitcher with the second most IP for #35 was Pedro Ramos. After splitting time in #28 and #40 in 1962, Ramos would wear #35 in 1963 and 1964. In 1963 he was 9-8 in 36 games, 22 starts and a 3.12 ERA (117 ERA+) in 184.2 IP. He would balloon to a 5.14 ERA (70 ERA+) in 133 IP in 1964 however and be dealt to the Yankees for two players to be named, Ralph Terry and Bud Daley. Ramos would finish his 2 seasons at #35 with a 1.8 WAR.

If one were to take Gaylord Perry’s single 1972 Cy Young season, he would win best #35 hands down, but it is clear he switched to #36 at some point during the season as both Bill Butler and Tom Hilgendorf also wore #35 that year. At best Perry pitched in #35 until July (approximately 200 IP), and for that reason he cannot get the nod for #35.

Gary Alexander had 978 PA in uniform #35, good enough for second place. But the catcher and sometimes DH would only hit 230/306/408 95 OPS+ from 1978 to 1980. His WAR of 0.3 is not all that special. Although he only cost the Tribe Joe Wallis in the Athletics deal, he was part of the blockbuster deal that obtained Bert Blyleven.

Running a close third to Alexander in PA is Wayne Kirby who did get 962, albeit over five seasons. The fourth/fifth outfielder from 1992 to 1996 put up a poor 258/313/362 79 OPS+, but I guess that is to be expected from a backup player. He was able to accumulate 2.3 WAR over those five seasons.

The One Year Wonders

Ed Montague, Bill Hunnefield, Pete Donohue, Dutch Holland, Milt Galatzer, Ken Keltner, Lloyd Russell, Dixie Howell, Red Howell, Jack Salveson, Hal Kleine, Jackie Price, Don Black, Felix Mackiewicz, Wally Judnich, Ray Murray, Stan Pawloski, Bob Usher, Steve Ridzik, Walt Bond, Floyd Weaver, Dennis Higgins, Camilo Pascual, Bill Butler, Tom Hilgendorf, Gaylord Perry, Cecil Upshaw, Mike Vail, Bob Lacey, Mike Christopher, Jordan Brown, Cord Phelps and Casey Kotchman all wore uniform #35 for only one season.

The All-Time List

Bill Hunnefield SS (1931) 239/325/324, 68 OPS+, 82 PA; Rule 5 draftee from Toledo Mud Hens (American Association-AA); lost on waivers to Braves

Pete Donohue RP (1931) 0-0, 2 G, 0 GS, 8.44 ERA, 5.1 IP, 58 ERA+

Ed Montague SS (1931) 285/358/373, 89 OPS+, 225 PA; was #57 in 1930; switched back to #7 in 1932; traded with Les Barnhart and Zeke Bonura to Indianapolis Indians (American Association-AA) for Oral Hildebrand

Dutch Holland PH, RF, LF (1934) 250/319/406, 85 OPS+, 142 PA

Milt Galatzer RF (1934) 270/344/342, 77 OPS+, 222 PA; was #22 in 1933; switched to #1 in 1935

Bruce Campbell RF, PH (1935-1936) 342/408/529, 134 OPS+, 537 PA; traded by Browns for Johnny Burnett and Bob Weiland; switched to #23 in 1937

Ken Keltner 3B (1937) 000/000/000, -100 OPS+, 1 PA; switched to #25 in 1938

Lloyd Russell PR (1938) 000/000/000, 0 PA

Dixie Howell RP (1940) 0-0, 3 G, 0 GS, 1.80 ERA, 5 IP, 253 ERA+; purchased from Logan Indians (Mountain State League-D); sold to Reds

Red Howell PH (1941) 286/545/286, 130 OPS+, 11 PA; also #45 in 1941; Rule 5 draftee from Phillies

Ray Poat RP, SP (1942-1944) 7-16, 57 G, 14 GS, 4.94 ERA, 144 IP, 66 ERA+

Hal Kleine RP (1945) 0-0, 3 G, 0 GS, 3.86 ERA, 7 IP, 89 ERA+; also #15 in 1945; was #15 and #16 in 1944; lost on waivers to White Sox

Jack Salveson RP (1945) 0-0, 19 G, 0 GS, 3.68 ERA, 44 IP, 92 ERA+; was #38 in 1943

Don Black RP (1946) 1-2, 18 G, 4 GS, 4.53 ERA, 43.2 IP, 73 ERA+; purchased from Athletics; switched to #23 in 1947

Jackie Price SS, PH (1946) 231/231/231, 33 OPS+, 14 PA

Felix Mackiewicz CF (1947) 000/000/000, -100 OPS+, 6 PA; was #17 in 1946; lost on waivers to Senators

Wally Judnich CF, 1B, RF, PH (1948) 257/411/372, 111 OPS+, 281 PA; traded with Bob Muncrief by Browns for Joe Frazier, Dick Kokos and Bryan Stephens; lost on waivers to Pirates

Ray Murray C, PH (1950) 273/331/381, 84 OPS+, 153 PA; also #12 in 1950; was #15 in 1948; switched to #12 in 1951

Harry Simpson RF, 1B, PH, CF (1951-1953) 247/322/358, 90 OPS+, 1253 PA; switched to #7 in 1955

Stan Pawloski 2B (1955) 125/125/125, -33 OPS+, 8 PA

Bob Usher PH, CF (1957) 125/222/125, -2 OPS+, 10 PA; acquired from San Diego Padres (PCL) as part of minor league working agreement; traded to Senators for Dick Brodowski and Dick Tettelbach

Steve Ridzik RP (1958) 0-2, 6 G, 0 GS, 2.08 ERA, 8.2 IP, 186 ERA+; purchased from Giants; sold to Cubs

Walt Bond RF (1962) 380/426/800, 226 OPS+, 54 PA; was #12 in 1961; sold to Colt .45s

Pedro Ramos SP, RP (1963-1964) 16-18, 72 G, 41 GS, 3.97 ERA, 317.2 IP, 97 ERA+; was #28 and #40 in 1962; traded to Yankees for Ralph Terry (PTBNL) and Bud Daley (PTBNL)

Floyd Weaver RP (1965) 2-2, 32 G, 1 GS, 5.43 ERA, 61.1 IP, 65 ERA+; was #23 in 1962; traded to Mets for Lou Klimchock and Ernie Bowman

Stan Williams RP, SP (1967-1969) 25-29, 121 G, 47 GS, 3.09 ERA, 451.2 IP, 108 ERA+; was #40 in 1965; traded with Luis Tiant to Twins for Graig Nettles, Dean Chance, Bob Miller and Ted Uhlaender

Dennis Higgins RP (1970) 4-6, 58 G, 0 GS, 3.99 ERA, 90.1 IP, 98 ERA+; traded with Barry Moore by Senators for Horacio Pina, Ron Law and Dave Nelson; sold to Athletics

Camilo Pascual RP (1971) 2-2, 9 G, 1 GS, 3.09 ERA, 23.1 IP, 126 ERA+; sent and returned from Padres as part of a conditional deal

Bill Butler RP, SP (1972) 0-0, 6 G, 2 GS, 1.54 ERA, 11.2 IP, 219 ERA+; purchased from Royals; traded with Dick Colpaert to Twins for Jim Strickland and Mike Brooks

Gaylord Perry SP (1972) 24-16, 41 G, 40 GS, 1.92 ERA, 342.2 IP, 170 ERA+; All-Star; 1st in Cy Young voting; 6th in MVP voting; also #36 in 1972; traded with Frank Duffy for Sam McDowell; switched to #36 in 1973

Tom Hilgendorf RP, SP (1972) 3-1, 19 G, 5 GS, 2.68 ERA, 47 IP, 123 ERA+; also #40 in 1972; traded by Royals for Ike Brookens; switched to #40 in 1973

Cecil Upshaw RP (1974) 0-1, 7 G, 0 GS, 3.38 ERA, 8 IP, 113 ERA+; traded with by Astros for Jerry Johnson; traded with Chris Chambliss and Dick Tidrow to Yankees for Steve Kline, Tom Buskey, Fred Beene and Fritz Peterson

Tom Buskey RP (1974-1977) 12-13, 161 G, 0 GS, 3.41 ERA, 298.1 IP, 107 ERA+; traded with Fred Beene, Fritz Peterson and Steve Kline by Yankees for Chris Chambliss, Dick Tidrow and Cecil Upshaw; traded with John Lowenstein to Rangers for Willie Horton and David Clyde

Mike Vail RF, PH (1978) 235/250/353, 69 OPS+, 37 PA; claimed off waivers from Mets; traded to Cubs for Joe Wallis

Gary Alexander C, DH, PH (1978-1980) 230/306/408, 95 OPS+, 978 PA; traded by Athletics for Joe Wallis; traded with Bob Owchinko, Victor Cruz and Rafael Vasquez to Pirates for Bert Blyleven and Manny Sanguillen

Bob Lacey RP (1981) 0-0, 14 G, 0 GS, 7.59 ERA, 21.1 IP, 49 ERA+; traded by Padres for Juan Bonilla; sold to Rangers

Jerry Reed RP (1983, 1985) 3-5, 40 G, 5 GS, 4.80 ERA, 93.2 IP, 88 ERA+; was #31 in 1982

Phil Niekro SP (1986-1987) 18-22, 56 G, 54 GS, 4.90 ERA, 334 IP, 88 ERA+; traded to Blue Jays for Darryl Landrum and Don Gordon (PTBNL)

Mike Christopher RP (1992) 0-0, 10 G, 0 GS, 3.00 ERA, 18 IP, 134 ERA+; also #32 in 1992 traded with Dennis Cook for Rudy Seanez

Wayne Kirby RF, PH, CF, PR, DH (1992-1996) 258/313/362, 79 OPS+, 962 PA; was #73 in 1991; lost on waivers to Dodgers

Danny Graves RP (1996-1997) 2-0, 20 G, 0 GS, 4.61 ERA, 41 IP, 107 ERA+; traded with Damian Jackson, Scott Winchester and Jim Crowell to Reds for John Smiley and Jeff Branson

Enrique Wilson 3B, SS, 2B, PH (1997-2000) 287/328/390, 81 OPS+, 607 PA; traded as PTBNL by Twins for Shawn Bryant; traded with Alex Ramirez to Pirates for Wil Cordero

Jordan Brown 1B, LF, PH (2010) 230/272/310, 63 OPS+, 92 PA; sold to Brewers

Cord Phelps 2B, PR, DH (2011) 155/241/254, 39 OPS+, 80 PA

Casey Kotchman (2012)

Statistics and such

Other fun facts, the uniform #35 has been worn 68 times by 45 different players covering 56 seasons of a possible 84 seasons since 1929. Uniform #35 was shared in a season ten times, 1931, 1934, 1945, 1946, 1972, 1974, 1978, 1992, 1996 and 1997. It was shared by three players in 1931 and 1972.

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