Major League Careers Cut Short

Since 1876, approximately 16,000 young men have enjoyed at least a taste of glory by appearing in big league games, many of them only a few times. By the end of the 2009 season, out of the millions who have aspired, fewer than three thousand individuals had had the good fortune to be a major league regular for five or more seasons. The median age at which they hung up their spikes was 35. However, 197 men played in their last big league contest at the age of 30 or younger.
With a focus on the stories of 15 greats and near-greats, this book provides information on these 197 men. Why did their careers end so soon? The reasons are varied and include drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, illness, injury, banishment, and declining ability among others.

The late Charles F. Faber wrote numerous books on educational administration, school law, baseball and other topics. He was a retired university professor and lived in Lexington, Kentucky.

Charles F. Faber
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 298
Bibliographic Info: 57 photos, 30 tables, appendix, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2011
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4743-5
eISBN: 978-0-7864-6209-4
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      vi

Preface      1

Abbreviations      2

Part One: Leading Position Players      3

Chicken Wolf      4

Bill Lange      9

Ross Youngs      15

Benny Kauff      20

Freddie Lindstrom      25

Bob Horner      31

Ray Chapman      34

Carlos May      38

Happy Felsch      42

Part Two: Leading Pitchers      49

Amos Rusie      50

Sandy Koufax      55

Sadie McMahon      61

Addie Joss      65

Bob Caruthers      70

Win Mercer      76

Part Three: All Position Players      81

First Basemen      82

Second Basemen      94

Shortstops      112

Third Basemen      123

Catchers      136

Right Fielders      142

Center Fielders      158

Left Fielders      172

Part Four: All Pitchers      182

Appendix      273

Notes      275

Bibliography      281

Index      285