Johnny Evers

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox baseball biography John Joseph Evers (July 21, 1881 – March 28, 1947)Template:Efn was an American professional baseball second baseman and manager. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1902 through 1917 for the Chicago Cubs, Boston Braves, and Philadelphia Phillies. He also appeared in one game apiece for the Chicago White Sox and Braves while coaching them in 1922 and 1929, respectively.

Evers was born in Troy, New York. After playing for the local minor league baseball team for one season, Frank Selee, manager of the Cubs, purchased Evers's contract and soon made him his starting second baseman. Evers helped lead the Cubs to four National League pennants, including two World Series championships. The Cubs traded Evers to the Braves in 1914; that season, Evers led the Braves to victory in the World Series, and was named the league's Most Valuable Player.

File:Johnny evers-home.jpg

Johnny Evers boyhood home in Troy, New York.

Evers continued to play for the Braves and Phillies through 1917. He then became a coach, scout, manager, and general manager in his later career.

Known as one of the smartest ballplayers in MLB,Template:Citation needed Evers also had a surly temper that he took out on umpires. Evers was a part of a great double-play combination with Joe Tinker and Frank Chance, which was immortalized as "Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance" in the poem "Baseball's Sad Lexicon". Evers was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1946.

Early life

Evers was born on July 21, 1881, in Troy, New York.<ref name=sabr/> His father worked as a saloon keeper. Many of Evers' relatives, including his father, brothers, and uncles, played baseball.<ref name=sabr2/> Evers attended St. Joseph's Elementary School and played sandlot ball in Troy.<ref name=sabr2>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=whitesox/>

Career

Minor league career

Evers made his professional debut in minor league baseball for the Troy Trojans of the Class-B New York State League in 1902 as a shortstop. Evers reportedly weighed less than Template:Convert, and opposing fans thought he was a part of a comedic act.<ref name=sabr/> Evers reportedly weighed no more than Template:Convert during his career.<ref name=warsaw>Template:Cite news</ref>

Evers batted .285 and led the New York State League with 10 home runs.<ref name=sabr/> Frank Selee, manager of the Chicago Cubs, scouted Evers's teammate, pitcher Alex Hardy. Selee, also looking for a second baseman due to an injury to starter Bobby Lowe,<ref name="evers made manager"/> purchased Hardy's and Evers's contracts for $1,500 ($Template:Inflation in current dollar terms); the Trojans were willing to sell Evers's services due to his temper.

Chicago Cubs

Evers made his MLB debut with the Cubs on September 1 at shortstop, as Selee moved Joe Tinker from shortstop to third base.<ref name=sabr/> Only three players in the National League (NL) were younger than Evers: Jim St. Vrain, Jimmy Sebring, and Lave Winham.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Three days later, Selee returned Tinker to shortstop and assigned Evers to second base.<ref name=sabr/> In his month-long tryout with the Cubs, Evers batted .222 without recording an extra-base hit and played inconsistent defense.<ref name=sabr/> However, Lowe's injury did not properly heal by spring training in 1903, allowing Evers to win the starting job for the 1903 season.<ref name=sabr/> Lowe recovered during the 1903 season, but Evers' strong play made Lowe expendable; Evers finished third in the NL in fielding percentage among second basemen (.937), and finished fifth in assists (245) and putouts (306).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Cubs sold Lowe to the Pittsburgh Pirates after the season.<ref name="evers a star">Template:Cite news</ref> Evers played 152 games in the 1904 season.<ref name=sabr/> Defensively, his 518 assists and 381 putouts led the NL, though his 54 errors led all NL second basemen.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

During the 1906 season, Evers finished fifth in the NL with 49 stolen bases,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and led the league with 344 putouts and led all second basemen with 44 errors.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Cubs won the NL pennant in 1906, but lost the 1906 World Series to the Chicago White Sox four games to two; Evers batted 3-for-20 (.150) in the series.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> During the 1907 season, Evers led the NL with 500 assists.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Cubs repeated as NL champions in 1907, and won the 1907 World Series over the Detroit Tigers, four games to none, as Evers batted 7-for-20 (.350).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:Johnny Evers 1910.jpg

Evers with the Cubs, circa 1910

During the 1908 pennant race, Evers alerted the umpires to Fred Merkle's baserunning error in a game against the New York Giants, which became known as "Merkle's Boner". Al Bridwell hit what appeared to be the game-winning single for the Giants, while Merkle, the baserunner on first base, went to the clubhouse without touching second base. Evers called for the ball, and the umpire ruled Merkle out.<ref name=sabr/> NL president Harry Pulliam ruled the game a tie, with a makeup to be played. The Cubs won the makeup game, thereby winning the pennant.<ref name=sabr/><ref name="evers made manager"/><ref name="evers a star"/> The Cubs then won the 1908 World Series over Detroit, four games to one, as Evers again batted 7-for-20 (.350).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> For the 1908 season, Evers had a .300 batting average, good for fifth in the NL, and a .402 on-base percentage, second only to Honus Wagner.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Evers drew 108 walks during the 1910 season, trailing only Miller Huggins.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, Evers missed the end of the season with a broken leg.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> Without Evers, the Cubs won the NL pennant, but lost the 1910 World Series to the Philadelphia Athletics, four games to one.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Evers was involved in a car accident on May 20, 1910 that saw writer and friend George A. Macdonald killed when the automobile was struck by a trolley car that saw Evers see the result on Macdonald, who had his skull crushed. The sight of the accident overwhelmed Evers in grief, which Evers acknolwedged in 1913 when he said he had "my first touch of nervous prostration." The financial disaster in Emerson Shoe Company, which he co-owned until it met ruin in late 1910, made matters worse. Evers agreed to manage the Navy Midshipmen, a college baseball team, in 1911, despite the opposition of Cubs' manager Frank Chance.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He experienced a nervous breakdown in 1911; returning to the Cubs later in the season, he played in only 46 games that year.<ref name=sabr/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Evers indicated that this was a result of a business deal that cost Evers most of his savings.<ref name=sabr/> Evers rebounded to bat .341 in 1912, good for fourth in the NL,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and he led the NL with a .431 on-base percentage.<ref name=sabr/> Team owner Charles W. Murphy named Evers manager in 1913, signing him to a five-year contract, succeeding Chance.<ref name=sabr/>

Boston Braves and Philadelphia Phillies

After the 1913 season, Evers was offered $100,000 ($Template:Inflation in current dollar terms) to jump to the Federal League, but he opted to take less money to remain with the Cubs.<ref name="sweeney sabr">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In February 1914, after Evers signed his players to contracts, Murphy fired Evers as manager and traded him to the Boston Braves for Bill Sweeney and Hub Perdue.<ref name="sweeney sabr"/> Murphy insisted that Evers had resigned as manager, which Evers denied. Evers insisted he was a free agent,<ref name="who wins him">Template:Cite news</ref> but the league assigned him to the Braves.<ref name="sweeney sabr"/> He signed a four-year contract at $10,000 per season ($Template:Inflation in current dollar terms), with a $20,000 signing bonus.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

During the 1914 season, the Braves fell into last place of the eight-team NL by July 4. However, the Braves came back from last place in the last ten weeks of the season to win the NL pennant.<ref name=warsaw/> Evers' .976 fielding percentage led all NL second basemen.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Braves defeated the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1914 World Series, four games to none,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> as Evers batted 7-for-16 (.438).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Evers won the Chalmers Award, the forerunner of the modern-day Most Valuable Player award, ahead of teammate Rabbit Maranville.<ref name=sabr/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Evers was limited in 1915 by injuries, and also served suspension for arguing with umpires.<ref name=sabr/> After a poor season in 1916, Evers began the 1917 season with a .193 batting average.<ref name=sabr/> Due to Evers' declining performance, the Braves placed Evers on waivers at mid-season, and he was claimed by the Philadelphia Phillies.<ref name=sabr/> Evers rejected an offer to become manager of the Jersey City Skeeters of the International League that offseason.<ref name=redsox/> He signed with the Boston Red Sox as a player-coach for the 1918 season,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but was released without playing a game for them.<ref name=redsox>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> Not receiving another offer from an MLB team, Evers traveled to Paris as a member of the Knights of Columbus to promote baseball in France.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref>

Coaching and managing career

In 1920, Evers was slated to become head baseball coach at Boston College, however he instead accepted a last minute offer to join the New York Giants as a coach.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He managed the Cubs again in 1921, succeeding Fred Mitchell. With the team struggling, Evers was fired in August and replaced with Bill Killefer.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> The Cubs finished seventh out of eight in the NL that season.<ref name=warsaw/>

Evers served as a coach for the Chicago White Sox in 1922 and 1923.<ref name=warsaw/> He returned to second base in 1922, filling in for an injured Eddie Collins. Evers played in one game for the White Sox as Collins recovered.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

File:(John J. Evers, Chicago Cubs, baseball card portrait) (LOC) (3970980335).jpg

A 1911 Johnny Evers T205 Tobacco Card

Evers was named the White Sox acting manager for the 1924 season, succeeding Chance, who had been hired as manager during the offseason, was ordered home before the season began, due to poor health.<ref name=whitesox>Template:Cite news</ref> However, Evers suffered from appendicitis during the season, missing time during the year,<ref name="evers made manager">Template:Cite news</ref> and the White Sox opened up a managerial search when Chance died in September.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The White Sox replaced Evers with Collins after the season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Evers rejoined the Braves as a scout.<ref name=warsaw/> As Braves owner Emil Fuchs sold manager Rogers Hornsby to the Cubs and assumed managerial duties himself for the 1929 season, Fuchs hired Evers as a coach. Fuchs had no experience as a field manager,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and so Evers became captain of the Braves, directing the team during the game and dealing with umpires.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> Evers and fellow coach Hank Gowdy played in one game in the 1929 season, coming into the bottom of the ninth inning on October 6, 1929.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the process, Evers became the oldest player in the league for the year.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Evers remained a coach for the Braves under Bill McKechnie, who succeeded Fuchs as field manager in 1930, and served in the role through 1932. He continued to scout for the Braves,<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> and then became general manager of the Albany Senators of the New York–Pennsylvania League in 1935.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He resigned from Albany at the end of the season.<ref>Template:Cite news Template:Subscription required</ref> Over his managerial career, he posted a 180–192 record.

Managerial record

Team	Year	Regular season					Postseason
		Games	Won	Lost	Win %	Finish	Won	Lost	Win %	Result
CHC	Template:Mlby	153	Template:WinLossPct	3rd in NL	–	–	–	–
CHC	Template:Mlby	96	Template:WinLossPct	fired	–	–	–	–
CHC total		249	Template:WinLossPct		Template:WinLossPct
CWS	Template:Mlby	21	Template:WinLossPct	leave	–	–	–	–
		102	Template:WinLossPct	8th in AL
CWS total		123	Template:WinLossPct		Template:WinLossPct
Total		372	Template:WinLossPct		Template:WinLossPct

Personal

In January 1909, Evers married Helen Fitzgibbons.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His son, John J. Evers, Jr., born later that year, served as a Lieutenant in World War II and was assigned to the Pacific Theater of Operations.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> During 1914, John Jr. became ill with scarlet fever and was being quarantined at home in Troy. A doctor granted Helen permission to allow their daughter Helen (then three at the time) to visit her ailing brother. Unfortunately, while John Jr. got better, Helen became ill and died weeks later. After that, Evers and his wife's uncertain marriage (made difficult because of their separated lives that saw him live in Chicago and her live in Troy) fell apart and the two essentially separated. When Helen died in 1974, she was buried with Evers in the same plot in Troy. When his son was 11 years old, Evers bought part of the Albany Senators and gave him the stock.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Evers' brother, Joe Evers, and uncle, Tom Evers, also played in MLB.<ref name=sabr/> His great-nephew is Sports Illustrated writer Tim Layden, who wrote an article about him in 2012.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Though Evers and Tinker were part of one of the most successful double-play combinations in baseball history, the two despised each other off of the field.<ref name=sabr/> They went several years without speaking to each other after one argument.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> When Chance once named Tinker the smartest ballplayer he knew, Evers took it as a personal affront.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Later life

In the 1920s, Evers settled in Troy to live with his older sister Anna Evers Kennedy. Evers operated a sporting goods store in Albany, New York in 1923. However, Evers lost his money and filed for bankruptcy in 1936.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The store was passed down to Evers' descendants.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He also worked as superintendent of Bleecker Stadium in Albany<ref name=humancrab/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and spent time teaching baseball to sandlot players.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Evers suffered a stroke in August 1942, which paralyzed the right side of his body.<ref name=obit/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He remained bedridden or confined to a wheelchair for most of the next five years.<ref name=autogenerated1>Template:Cite news</ref> Evers died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1947 at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany,<ref name=sabr>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=obit>Template:Cite news</ref> and is buried in Saint Mary's Cemetery in Troy.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

File:Johnny-evers-grave.jpg

Johnny Evers gravesite at Saint Mary's Cemetery in Troy, New York.

Legacy

File:Johnny Evers Hall of Fame plaque.jpg

Evers' plaque of at the Baseball Hall of Fame

Evers retired in 1918, having batted .300 or higher twice in his career, stolen 324 bases and scored 919 runs. He frequently argued with umpires and received numerous suspensions during his career.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His combative play and fights with umpires earned him the nickname "The Human Crab".<ref name=humancrab>Template:Cite news</ref>

Evers served as the pivot man in the "Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance" double-play combination, which inspired the classic baseball poem "Baseball's Sad Lexicon", written by New York Evening Mail newspaper columnist Franklin Pierce Adams in July 1910.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Evers, Tinker, and Chance were all inducted in the Hall of Fame in the same year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The Merkle play remains one of the most famous in baseball history. The ball used in the Merkle play was sold at an auction in the 1990s for $27,500, making it one of the four most valuable baseballs based on purchase price.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Evers' role in Merkle's boner cemented his legacy as a smart ballplayer.

Evers is mentioned in the 1949 poem "Line-Up for Yesterday" by Ogden Nash:

See also

• List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders
• List of members of the Baseball Hall of Fame
• List of Major League Baseball player-managers

External links

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