Herb Pennock

Verified Timeline

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, he became a regular contributor for the Red Sox. The Yankees acquired him after the 1922 season, and he was a key member of the pitching staff as the Yankees won four World Series championships. After retiring as a player, he served as a coach and farm system director for the Red Sox, and as general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1948 and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame that year.

In Their Own Story

The turning point of Pennock's Boston career arrived in late May 1919. With the Red Sox relying on George Dumont, Bill James, and Bullet Joe Bush for most starts, manager Ed Barrow had only used Pennock once each in April and May. Frustrated by the lack of action, Pennock threatened to quit unless Barrow fulfilled his pre-season promise of regular work. The gamble paid off; after Memorial Day, Pennock took the mound consistently. He finished the season with 16 wins against 8 losses and a 2.71 ERA across 219 innings pitched. Earlier in his career, a different kind of confrontation defined him. In 1914, he posted an 11–4 record for the Athletics and threw three scoreless innings in the World Series loss to the Boston Braves. Yet, his 'nonchalant playing style' infuriated Connie Mack. Despite throwing a one-hit shutout against the Red Sox on Opening Day 1915, Mack concluded Pennock lacked drive and sold him for just $2,500. Later in life, Mack would regard this sale as his greatest mistake, unaware that the pitcher he dismissed was about to become a cornerstone of Boston's success.

Reader's Guide

Pennock's last season with the Boston Red Sox was 1922, as he was traded to the New York Yankees after that season. He did not appear in the 1915 or 1916 World Series, though the Red Sox won those championships. He served as the team's ace pitcher in 1920.

Did You Know?

• Pennock was the youngest player in the American League in 1912.
• He learned to throw a screwball from Chief Bender.
• Connie Mack later called selling Pennock to the Red Sox his greatest mistake.
• Pennock won his 200th career game in 1929, becoming the third left-handed pitcher to reach that mark.