| Johnny Hutchings | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1916-04-14)April 14, 1916 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| Died: April 27, 1963(1963-04-27) (aged 47) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. | |
Batted: Both Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 26, 1940, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| April 21, 1946, for the Boston Braves | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 12–18 |
| Earned run average | 3.96 |
| Strikeouts | 212 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
John Richard Joseph Hutchings (April 14, 1916 – April 27, 1963) was an American professionalbaseball player, a right-handedpitcher who worked in 155Major Leaguegames, mostly as arelief pitcher, for theCincinnati Reds andBoston Braves during the 1940s. The native ofChicago stood 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall and weighed 250 pounds (110 kg).
Hutchings' professional career began in 1935 and he reached the Majors after winning 22 games in 1939 for thePensacola Pilots in the Class BSoutheastern League.[1] As a 1940rookie playing for the defendingNational League champion Cincinnati Reds, he appeared in 19 games, including fourstarting assignments, for a team that ultimately won the 1940 world championship.
Hutchings started one of the most tragic games in Cincinnati club history, the second game of adoubleheader on August 3, 1940, inBoston, against the "Bees" (the Braves' official name from 1936 to 1940). Hutchings lasted only 12⁄3innings of the nightcap, and Boston won, 5–2, for a split of the twin bill.[2] But the result of the game proved insignificant in light of the off-field misfortune that beset the Cincinnati team.Willard Hershberger, temporarily the Reds' startingcatcher due to injury, had not reported to theballpark for the day's doubleheader and stayed behind in his hotel room. During that second game, the Reds learned that Hershberger, despondent over what he perceived as his poor play, had committedsuicide earlier that afternoon.[3]
Hutchings worked in six more games during the regular season, and was on the Reds' roster for the1940 World Series against theDetroit Tigers. He appeared in the eighth inning of Game 5, an 8–0 Detroit victory, and allowed twohits, awild pitch, and oneearned run.[4] But the Reds went on to win the Series in seven games for their second Major League Baseball championship.
On June 12, 1941, the Reds traded Hutchings to the Braves for veteranoutfielder and futureBaseball Hall of Fame memberLloyd Waner. Hutchings lost six of his sevendecisions for thesecond-division Braves in 1941 and then was sent to theminor-leagueIndianapolis Indians of theAmerican Association during 1942. Hutchings would become a stalwart member of the Indianapolis team, pitching for the Indians for eight seasons between 1942 and 1951, and compiling awin–loss mark of 59–37.[1]
He also returned to the Majors with the Braves during 1944, near the height of the World War II manpower shortage. In his best MLB season, 1945 for Boston, he appeared in a team-high 57 games, 45 in relief and 12 as a starter. He won seven games and lost six, with threesaves, threecomplete games and twoshutouts. He also led the National League inhome runs allowed with 21, including Hall of FamerMel Ott's 500th blast on August 2.[5]
Hutchings returned to the Indianapolis Indians in April 1946. During his Major League career, he allowed 474 hits and 180bases on balls in 471innings pitched; hestruck out 212. After his active career ended, he managed in theChicago White Sox'farm system andcoached for and briefly managed (in 1960) the Indianapolis Indians. He died inIndianapolis ofuremia[6] at the age of 47.