Pie Traynor

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Traynor was born in Framingham, Massachusetts, to parents who had emigrated from Canada. He received his nickname as a child in Somerville, Massachusetts, because he frequented a grocery store and often asked for pie. The store owner called him "Pie Face", later shortened to Pie. In 1919, he played in what is now the Cape Cod Baseball League, batting .447 for Falmouth and a combined .322 for Falmouth and Oak Bluffs. He was inducted into the CCBL Hall of Fame in 2009. Traynor began his professional career in 1920 as a shortstop for the Portsmouth Truckers. He made his MLB debut with the Pirates on September 15, 1920. He became the Pirates' regular third baseman in 1922. Following advice from Rogers Hornsby, he used a heavier bat in 1923 and blossomed into one of the best hitters in the National League. With tutoring from Rabbit Maranville, his defense improved. In 1925, he posted a .320 average with six home runs, 106 RBI, and led the league in fielding percentage as the Pirates won the NL pennant. In the 1925 World Series, he hit .346 including a home run off Walter Johnson as the Pirates defeated the Washington Senators. His 41 double plays in 1925 set a Pirates franchise record. The Pirates won the pennant again in 1927, but lost to the New York Yankees in the World Series. Traynor hit .337 with a career-high 124 RBI in 1928. He hit a career-high .366 in 1930. In 1933 he was a reserve in the inaugural All-Star Game. In 1934 he was the starting third baseman in the All-Star Game. During the 1934 season, his throwing arm was injured, and he became the Pirates' player-manager. He played his final game on August 14, 1937. He continued as manager until resigning after the 1939 season. After scouting, he became a sports director for Pittsburgh radio station KQV in 1944, broadcasting for 21 years. He retired from broadcasting in 1965. In 1969, he was named the third baseman on MLB's all-time team. In 1971, he threw out the first pitch of Game 3 of the 1971 World Series. He died in 1972 in Pittsburgh. His number 20 was retired posthumously at the Pirates home opener on April 18, 1972. He was buried in Homewood Cemetery in Pittsburgh.

In Their Own Story

The lights at Forbes Field hummed low over the infield dirt. Traynor adjusted his cap, eyes locked on the pitcher's mound. A line drive screamed toward the hot corner. He dove, glove snapping shut with a practiced thud, and rose instantly to fire home. The crowd roared as the runner slid safe, but the defense held firm.

Reader's Guide

Traynor led NL third basemen in putouts seven times, in double plays four times, and in assists three times. His 41 double plays in 1925 were an NL record until 1950, and his 226 putouts that year remain the highest NL total since 1905. He set major league records for career double plays (303) and games (1,863) at third base which were broken in 1945 and 1960 respectively, and which remained NL records until Eddie Mathews broke them in 1964 and 1965. His 2,289 putouts remain the NL record, and his 3,521 assists were the league record until Mathews passed him in 1964. In a 17-year career, he played in 1,941 games, accumulating 2,416 hits in 7,559 at bats for a .320 average, 58 home runs, 1,273 RBI, and a .362 on-base percentage. He had 371 doubles and 164 triples, leading the league in triples in 1923 with 19. He struck out only 278 times. He is the only MLB player to steal home plate in an All-Star Game. He finished in the top ten in NL MVP voting six times.

Did You Know?

• Traynor reached double digits in triples eleven times, not ten.
• His 41 double plays in 1925 set a Pirates franchise record, not an NL record.
• His 2,289 putouts at third base remain the NL record, not second behind Mike Schmidt.
• His full name is Harold Joseph "Pie" Traynor.