| Alvin Crowder | |
|---|---|
 Crowder, circa 1935 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1899-01-11)January 11, 1899 Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S. | |
| Died: April 3, 1972(1972-04-03) (aged 73) Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| July 24, 1926, for the Washington Senators | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 26, 1936, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 167–115 |
| Earned run average | 4.12 |
| Strikeouts | 799 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Alvin Floyd Crowder (January 11, 1899 – April 3, 1972), nicknamed "General", was an American right-handedpitcher inMajor League Baseball who played eleven seasons in theAmerican League with theWashington Senators, theSt. Louis Browns, and theDetroit Tigers. In 402 career games, Crowder pitched2344+1⁄3innings and posted awin–loss record of 167–115, with 150complete games, 16shutouts, and a 4.12earned run average.
Born inWinston-Salem, North Carolina, Crowder served almost three years in the army duringWorld War I, including assignments in the Philippines and 11 months with theAmerican Expeditionary Force in Siberia.[1] However, he never reached the rank of "General." His nickname, "General" Crowder, came from GeneralEnoch Crowder, who designed theWorld War I draft lottery in the United States.[2][1]
Crowder learned to play baseball when he was a private in the Army. He had been shipped from Siberia to the Philippines and back again before aPacific Coast League scout offered him a job.[3]
Although Crowder signed his first baseball contract in 1920, he did not play a full season until 1923, with theWinston-Salem Twins. He did not appear in his first major league game until the age of 27, in 1926. Crowder won only seven games in each of his first two seasons, but finished the 1928 season with a record of 21–5 for the Browns. His .808 win percentage was the best in the American League, and his 21 wins finished fourth best in the league.
Crowder won 20 games in three different seasons, including a 26–13 record in1932, the most wins in theAmerican League. In that same season, Crowder set the record, which he still holds, for the most innings pitched in a season without hitting a batter, with 327.[4] In 1933, Crowder won 24 games, again the most in the AL, helped the Senators win the pennant, pitched in the firstMajor League Baseball All-Star Game, and finished 7th in the American League Most Valuable Player voting.
TheDetroit Tigers selected Crowder off waivers on August 3, 1934. He went 5–1 for the Tigers down the stretch, helping them win their first pennant in 25 years. Crowder faced the Yankees in two series late in the 1934 season, winning the opening game in both. Those two victories helped the Tigers overtake the Yankees for the American League pennant. In the1934 World Series against theSt. Louis Cardinals, he lost Game 1 toDizzy Dean.
In 1935, Crowder went 16–10 for the Tigers as the club won its second consecutive American League pennant. He pitched a complete game in Game 4 of the1935 World Series for a 2–1 victory to help the Tigers win their first World Series championship. Crowder pitched in threeWorld Series consecutively (1933–1935), posting a record of 1–2 with a 3.81earned run average in 26innings pitched.
Crowder was also known as "Yankee Killer", for his success against the Yankees generally andBabe Ruth in particular.[5]
In his career, Crowder had a 167–115 record with a 4.12 earned run average.
Crowder was a good fielding pitcher in his career, recording a .984fielding percentage, making only sevenerrors in 450total chances. After making an error against theNew York Yankees on May 19, 1932, he went the rest of his career without making another, covering 209games pitched and handling 179total chances without a miscue. As a hitter, he went 164–847, for a .194batting average with 66runs scored and 60runs batted in but did not hit any home runs.[6]
After his playing career ended, Crowder returned to Winston-Salem where he operated the Winston-Salem Twins during the late 1930s and early 1940s.
In 1967, Crowder was named to North Carolina's Sports Hall of Fame.
Crowder died in 1972 at the age of 73 in Winston-Salem.
· Baseball Almanac
