Herb Pennock

Hall of Fame left-hander who anchored four Yankee championship teams.

Herbert Jefferis Pennock (February 10, 1894 – January 30, 1948) was an American professional baseball pitcher and front-office executive. He played in Major League Baseball from 1912 through 1933, and is best known for his time spent with the star-studded New York Yankee teams of the mid to late 1920s and early 1930s.

Quick Facts

Position: Pitcher
Bats: Switch
Throws: Left
Born: 10 February 1894
Birthplace: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died: 30 January 1948
Place of death: Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Debut league: MLB

Lore & Background

Pennock was signed by the Philadelphia Athletics in 1912, but was used sparingly by the Athletics and the Boston Red Sox, who bought his contract in 1915. After returning from military service in 1919, Pennock became a regular contributor for the Red Sox. The Yankees acquired Pennock after the 1922 season, and he served as a key member of the pitching staff as the Yankees won four World Series championships. After retiring as a player, Pennock served as a coach and farm system director for the Red Sox, and as general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. Pennock was regarded as one of the greatest left-handed pitchers in baseball history. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1948, and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame later that year.

Reader's Guide

Herb Pennock was born on February 10, 1894, in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. He attended Westtown School and Cedarcroft Boarding School, where he converted from first baseman to pitcher. He made his major league debut with the Philadelphia Athletics on May 14, 1912, allowing one hit in four innings pitched. He was the youngest person to play in the American League that season.

Former major leaguer Mike Grady mentored him, and Chief Bender taught him to throw a screwball. After the 1914 season, Athletics manager Connie Mack sold Pennock to the Boston Red Sox for $2,500. With the Red Sox, Pennock was loaned to minor league teams in 1915 and 1916, then enlisted in the Navy in 1918. After the war, he became a regular starter for Boston.

The Yankees acquired him after the 1922 season. With New York, Pennock led the AL in winning percentage in 1923, WHIP in 1925 and 1926, and shutouts and home runs per nine innings in 1928. He won 200 career games in 1929. After the 1933 season, the Yankees released him, and he signed with the Red Sox for his final season in 1934. Pennock retired with a career record of 241 wins.

Did You Know?

Pennock threw a no-hitter while at Cedarcroft, caught by Earle Mack, son of Athletics manager Connie Mack.
He pitched for a Navy team in an exhibition for King George V at Stamford Bridge stadium.
In the 1923 World Series, umpire Billy Evans called Pennock's performance 'the greatest pitching performance I have ever seen.'
Pennock was the third left-handed pitcher to reach 200 career wins.