Joe Dugan

Joe Dugan (b. May 12, 1897, Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania- d. July 7, 1982, Norwood, Massachusetts) (nickname "Jumping Joe") was a Major League Baseball player from 1917-1931. Dugan's major league career began when he was signed to play shortstop by Philadelphia Athletics manager Connie Mack in 1917. He struggled as a hitter his first two years, batting only a combined .195, but in 1919 he batted .271, and then the next year hit .322. He was moved permanently to third base in 1921, and would be a steady .280-.300 hitter as well as a fine defensive third baseman for the rest of his career.

Related Topics:
May 12 - 1897 - Mahanoy City - Pennsylvania - July 7 - Norwood - Massachusetts - Major League Baseball - 1917 - 1931 - Shortstop - Philadelphia Athletics - Manager - Connie Mack - 1919 - Third base - Third baseman

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It was in his first years in baseball that he acquired the nickname of "jumping," a nickname bestowed on him since he would often take unauthorized leaves from the team.

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In 1922, Dugan had been traded to the Boston Red Sox by the A's. On July 23, 1922 he was traded by the Red Sox to the New York Yankees in a controversial deal. Red Sox owner Harry Frazee had been unloading his Red Sox players almost haphazardly, and Dugan's acquisition by the Yankees helped them edge out the St. Louis Browns in a tight 1922 pennant race. Because Dugan's trade occurred in the latter part of the season, and worried that teams might try to buy their way to a pennant during the season, Major league Baseball would later move up its trading deadline to June 15.

Related Topics:
Boston Red Sox - July 23 - 1922 - New York Yankees - Harry Frazee - St. Louis Browns - June 15

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Dugan played in 5 World Series with the Yankees, playing in 25 series games and batting .267 in 90 at bats. His best year was 1923, when he batted .283 and scored 111 runs, helping the Yankees to their first World Series title. He was the starting third baseman on the 1927 Yankees, a team considered by many the greatest baseball team of all-time, although by this time Dugan's career was starting to wind down. He finished his career with the Detroit Tigers in 1931, a season in which he played just 8 games. Dugan finished his career with a lifetime .280 batting average in 1447 games.

Related Topics:
World Series - 1923 - 1927 - Detroit Tigers - 1931 - Batting average

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