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Cleveland Indians All Time Center Fielder |
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Tris Speaker
1907 - 1928
2789 games, 117 home runs, .345 batting average
| Nicknamed "The Gray Eagle" (for his prematurely graying hair) and "Spoke," Speaker is considered by many as the greatest defensive centerfielder to play the game. He came up with the Boston Red Sox and soon became the centerpiece of one of the finest outfield trios of all time (along with Harry Hooper and Duffy Lewis. His best year came in 1912 when he led the American League in doubles with 53, and home runs with 10. He set a career high with 222 hits, 136 runs, 580 at-bats, and 52 steals. While batting.383, his .567 slugging percentage was the highest of his dead ball days. Refusing to accept a pay cut after batting "only" .322, the Red Sox dealt Speaker to the Indians in 1916 where he continued to have a number of fine seasons. One highlight came that first year in Cleveland when he stopped Ty Cobb's remarkable nine consecutive batting titles by hitting .386 to Cobb's .371. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1937. |
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