1921 Vanderbilt Commodores baseball team

Last updated

1921 Vanderbilt Commodores baseball
1921 Vanderbilt Commodores baseball team.jpg
SIAA Champions
Conference Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Record205 (144 SIAA)
Head coach
CaptainJulian Thomas
Home stadium Curry Field
Seasons
 1920
1922 

The 1921 Vanderbilt Commodores baseball team represented the Vanderbilt Commodores of Vanderbilt University in the 1921 NCAA baseball season, winning the SIAA championship. [1] [2] By May 29, the team had hit over .225 for the season, garnering 27 home runs, 17 triples, 26 doubles, 107 singles, and a total of 138 hits for 326 bases with 54 stolen bases. [3]

Contents

The Commodores were coached by Byrd Douglas, Vanderbilt alumnus, once a star catcher of the Princeton baseball team. The yearbook claimed the season's success was "due almost entirely to one man", namely Douglas. [2] [4]

The 1921 Vanderbilt Commodores football team also won an SIAA title. Frank Godchaux, Doc Kuhn, Tot McCullough, Jess Neely, and Tom Ryan were also members of the football team.

Regular season

Vanderbilt's yearbook The Commodore states that in a 1921 game against Southwestern Presbyterian University, the team achieved a world record in scoring 13 runs in one inning, after two men were out. The Tennessean recalls the event: "Neely singled as did Kuhn; Neil fanned but Thomas got his third straight hit and both tallied. Big Tot got hit by a pitched ball and Smith was safe on a fielder's choice with one out. Woodruf flied out to right. Tyner slammed one to center which Jetty juggled and everybody advanced a pair of sacks. Ryan was safe on another error and two runs came over. Neely beat out his second hit of the inning and Kuhn walked. Neil walked. Thomas was safe on an error and Big Tot McCullough picked one over the right field fence, clearing the sacks--but oh, what's the use? Why continue?" [2] Joe Smith hit a grand slam as well, and Manning Brown got a homer. [5]

In the game against Camp Benning (GA), Neill netted a home run with a fly ball to left field, which bounced off the outfielder's knee for a home run. [6]

The Kentucky game on May 17 and the Princeton game both went into extra innings.

From June 6 to June 15 the Commodores had an Eastern trip carrying them through Kentucky, West Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. [4] [7] Kuhn starred in the 3 to 2 loss to Princeton. [8]

Schedule and results

Legend
 Vanderbilt win
 Vanderbilt loss
BoldVanderbilt team member
1921 Vanderbilt Commodores baseball game log

Roster

Coaches

NamePosition
Byrd DouglasHead Coach
Strat FosterManager

Players

NamePosition
A. Bell2B
Bell3B
B. BrownOF
Manning BrownOF
BucknerC
CostonRHP
Slim Embry RHP
Frank Godchaux C
Joe HatcherC
HawkinsC
Hi HightowerC
HuckabyOF
Doc Kuhn SS
Lewis2B
Bunny LutonOF
Tot McCullough 1B/OF/LHP
McDonaldOF
McDonnellSS
McGinnisOF
Bob McNeillyRHP
Jess Neely OF
Scotty Neill SS/2B/INF
Boots RichardsonLHP
RileyRHP
RudolphRHP
Tom Ryan RHP
SherrodRHP
Joe SmithOF
Paul StumbRHP
Julian Thomas1B
Mims TynerC
WilliamsOF
Fish Wilson2B/INF
Wooden3B
Tobe Woodruf3B

Statistical leaders

Wins
Slim Embry 9
Boots Richardson5
Tot McCullough 4
Home Runs
Scotty Neill 13

Postseason awards and honors

Shortstop Doc Kuhn and outfielders Manning Brown and Tot McCullough made All-Southern. [11]

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References

  1. "Commodores Claim S.I.A.A. Championship in Baseball". The Houston Post. May 26, 1921. p. 14. Retrieved December 19, 2015 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  2. 1 2 3 Bill Traughber. "The Historic 1921 VU Baseball Team". Archived from the original on July 15, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  3. "Sport Chat". Lexington Herald. May 29, 1921.
  4. 1 2 Vanderbilt University (1922). The Commodore. pp. 135–137.
  5. "Wildcats Don't Let it Happen Here". Lexington Herald. April 15, 1921.
  6. "Benning Loses To Vanderbilt". Columbus Ledger. May 20, 1921.
  7. Byrd Douglas (1922). The Science of Baseball: A Text-book of "inside" Baseball Completely Covering Every Department and Phase of Baseball--how to Play and Coach the Game. p. 173.
  8. "Princeton Alumni Weekly". 1920.
  9. 1 2 "2 Apr 1921, 7 - Nashville Banner at". Newspapers.com. April 2, 1921. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  10. "3 Apr 1921, 13 - Nashville Banner at". Newspapers.com. April 3, 1921. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  11. "College Baseball". Atlanta Constitution. January 1, 1922. Retrieved March 2, 2015 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg