| Vean Gregg | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1885-04-13)April 13, 1885 Chehalis, Washington, U.S. | |
| Died: July 29, 1964(1964-07-29) (aged 79) Aberdeen, Washington, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 12, 1911, for the Cleveland Naps | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 25, 1925, for the Washington Senators | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 92–63 |
| Earned run average | 2.70 |
| Strikeouts | 720 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Sylveanus Augustus "Vean"Gregg (April 13, 1885 – July 29, 1964) was an American professionalbaseball player. Apitcher, Gregg played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theCleveland Naps,Boston Red Sox,Philadelphia Athletics, andWashington Senators from 1911 through 1925.
Gregg was given the nickname, "the Western Wonder". He won 20 games in his first three seasons, becoming the only MLB ballplayer to accomplish the feat in the 20th century. Gregg led theAmerican League inearned run average in 1911 and was on the roster of the Red Sox when they won the1915 World Series, but did not appear in any games.
Gregg was born inChehalis, Washington and lived for most of his youth inClarkston. His brother,Dave Gregg, pitched one inning in 1913 as Vean's teammate for the Cleveland Naps.[1]
Gregg started his professional career with theSpokane Indians of theNorthwestern League in 1910. In 1910, he played for thePortland Beavers of thePacific Coast League (PCL). He threw 14shutouts with the Beavers.[2]
The next year, Gregg played for theCleveland Naps of theAmerican League, pitching to a 23–7win–loss record with a league-leading 1.80earned run average.[1] In 1912 and 1913, he started 34 games both years with an identical 20–13 record each season.
On July 28, 1914, the Naps traded Gregg to theBoston Red Sox forFritz Coumbe,Ben Egan, andRankin Johnson Sr.[3] He developed a sore arm in 1914 and had continual arm problems for the rest of his career. He played for them on both the1915, and1916World Series championship teams,[1] but did not appear in either.
On December 14, 1917, the Red Sox traded Gregg,Merlin Kopp,Pinch Thomas and $60,000 to thePhiladelphia Athletics forBullet Joe Bush,Wally Schang, andAmos Strunk.[4] Gregg went 9–14 in 30 games with a 3.12 ERA for the last-place Athletics in 1918.
When the United States entered World War I in 1918, major league baseball was suspended. At age 33, Vean was too old to enlist. Instead, he went to work the ranch in Conjuring Creek, Alberta, Canada that he had purchased near Edmonton in 1912. He also played baseball for a number of different teams; aside from the Conjuring Creek team,[5] he also played for the CalgaryGreat War Veterans Association (GWVA) team in 1919,[6] and was reportedly signed to the Edmonton Eskimos baseball team in August 1921.[7] However, the need to pay off his farming debts pushed him back south of the border.[8]
Gregg returned to professional baseball in 1922 with theSeattle Indians of the PCL and played there until 1924. After the 1924 season, Seattle sold Gregg to theWashington Senators of the American League for three players and cash considerations.[9] In the 1925 season, Gregg went 2–2 with twosaves. His final appearance, at any level, was in 1927 and consisted of a one-third inning outing for theSacramento Senators of the PCL.[1]
Gregg's major league career record was 92–63 with a lifetime 2.70 ERA in 1,393 innings pitched and 720 strikeouts. He was the only pitcher in the 20th century to win 20 games or more in his first three seasons.[1]
Gregg was given the nickname, "the Western Wonder" and was declared byTy Cobb to be "the toughest lefty he ever faced".[1]Eddie Collins called Gregg "the left-handedWalter Johnson".[10]
Gregg was married while in Alberta;[11] his first wife, Goldina Grace Gregg, divorced him in Edmonton in May 1925.
Vean's brother,Dave Gregg, played for Cleveland in 1913.[12] Vean and Dave opened a gas station under the name "Vean Gregg Service Station" in Seattle during his return to the PCL. After his playing career ended, he owned and operated The Home Plate, a combined café and sporting goods store inHoquiam, Washington.[1] In 1934, Gregg ran forsheriff ofGrays Harbor County, Washington.[13]
In 2004, Gregg was inducted in thePacific Coast League Hall of Fame.
Gregg and his second wife, Dorothy, had five children. He died on July 29, 1964, inAberdeen, Washington.[14][15]
