Joseph Edward Cronin was born on October 12, 1906, in San Francisco, California, just months after an earthquake damaged the city, and impoverished his family. Cronin grew up attending local schools and playing baseball in nearby Excelsior Park. Cronin worked as a Bank Teller and excelled in several sports. When Joe graduated high school, he turned down a scholarship from St. Mary's College so he could work and support his family. Joe would join a league near Napa, and play there as well as work. While playing, Cronin caught the eye of Pittsburgh Pirates scout Joe Devine, wwho signed the youngster to a contract to play pro ball.
Joe made his MLB debut on April 29, 1926 and everything was going well, except that the Pirates already had a good shortstop, and weren't looking to replace him. So, after two years of mostly pinch hitting, Cronin was dealt to the Washington Senators in 1928. As a Senator, Cronin was on top of the world. He was hitting the ball well and playing every day. In 1930 Cronin was named the MVP in the last year before the writers started selecting the MVP. And two years later, on October 8, 1932 Washington would name the then 27-year-old shortstop as their new manager. During Cronin's first year as player-manager, he would show his soon to be uncle-in-law that it was not a mistake, as Cronin led the team to what would be the last World Series appearance in that franchise's history.
On October 10, 1933, Joe Cronin is rewarded with a 3-year contract as player-manager of the Senators. Also in that year, Joe would meet Mildred Robertson, niece of the owner of the Senators. The two fell in love and were quickly married.
On September 3, 1934, Cronin collided with Boston's Wes Ferrell in a play at 1B. Cronin fractures a bone in his arm and is out for the season. The senators would end up 7th that season. This would also lead to an interesting turn of events as Clark Griffith, the owner, would sell his Nephew in law to the Boston Red Sox for $225,000.
Joe Cronin would not be discouraged by this turn of events. He flourished at Fenway park, hitting over a .500 slugging percentage three times. The Red Sox would fare well under Cronin's Management as well as his shortstopmanship. However, Cronin took himself out of the lineup in 1942 to make room for Johnny Pesky, but he would still make appearances as a pinch hitter.
On May 30, 1938, while The largest crowd in Yankee Stadium history looked on Yankee outfielder Jake Powell and Cronin go toe to toe in the middle of the infield after Archie McKain beaned Powell in the stomach. Cronin cut off Powell as he was charging the mound and the two went at it for 3 mintues before it was broken up. Even then, after both players were ejected, they fought underneath the stands until they were forceably seperated from each other. Both were fined and suspended for 10 games.
On June 17, 1943, Cronin hits two 3-run pinch HRs, one in each game of a doubleheader, as Boston beats the St. Louis Browns 5-4 and loses 8-7. Only one other player has accomplished this feat in MLB history.
In early 1945, Cronin broke his leg, ending his playing career for good. He would take the Red Sox to the World Series in the following year, but the socks would end up losing that one to the Cardinals.
On September 29, 1947, Joe McCarthy, who led the Yankees to 9 pennants, is coaxed out of retirement and signs to manage the Red Sox. Joe Cronin was moved to the Red Sox's front office, where he stayed for 11 years. During this time he was chosen as the American League president, the first former player to be placed in the position. During his two terms he helped the AL grow by 4 teams. He held the position until January of 1974, when he became the league chairman, an honorary position.
Joe Cronin was inducted into the baseball Hall Of Fame in Cooperstown, NY on July 23, 1956, along with Hank Greenberg.
On September 7, 1984 after 50 years of being involved in baseball in almost every way imaginable, Joe Cronin passed on in Osterville, MA. On May 15, 2002, his wife would pass away from cancer.
The number that Joe made famous, 4, is hanging alongside teamates Bobby Doerr (1) and Ted Williams (9). Also hanging are Carl Yastrzemski (8) and Carlton Fisk (27). They can be seen above the stands right of the bleachers at Fenway Park.
Statistics:
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 180
YEAR TM LG G AB R H HR RBI AVG OBP SLG
1926 Pit N 38 83 9 22 0 11 .265 .315 .337
1927 Pit N 12 22 2 5 0 3 .227 .292 .273
1928 Was A 63 227 23 55 0 25 .242 .309 .322
1929 Was A 145 494 72 139 8 61 .281 .388 .421
1930 Was A 154 587 127 203 13 126 .346 .422 .513
1931 Was A 156 611 103 187 12 126 .306 .391 .480
1932 Was A 143 557 95 177 6 116 .318 .393 .492
1933 Was A 152 602 89 186 5 118 .309 .398 .445
1934 Was A 127 504 68 143 7 101 .284 .353 .421
1935 Bos A 144 556 70 164 9 95 .295 .370 .460
1936 Bos A 81 295 36 83 2 43 .281 .354 .403
1937 Bos A 148 570 102 175 18 110 .307 .402 .486
1938 Bos A 143 530 98 172 17 94 .325 .428 .536
1939 Bos A 143 520 97 160 19 107 .308 .407 .492
1940 Bos A 149 548 104 156 24 111 .285 .380 .502
1941 Bos A 143 518 98 161 16 95 .311 .406 .508
1942 Bos A 45 79 7 24 4 24 .304 .415 .494
1943 Bos A 59 77 8 24 5 29 .312 .398 .558
1944 Bos A 76 191 24 46 5 28 .241 .358 .356
1945 Bos A 3 8 1 3 0 1 .375 .545 .375
Totals G AB R H HR RBI AVG OBP SLG
2124 7579 1233 2285 170 1424 .301 .390 .468
sources:
www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/ hofer_bios/cronin_joe.htm
www.pubdim.net/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/C/Cronin_Joe.stm
sports.espn.go.com/mlb/alltime/playercard?playerId=2960&type=0
www.hickoksports.com/biograph/croninjo.shtml
redsoxbaseball.tripod.com/players/cronin.html