New York Yankees (1933–1935)
On September 12,1932,the New York Yankees acquired Van Atta from the Saints. [2]
At the age of 27,he would make his debut the following season with the Yankees on April 25,1933,in a game against the Washington Senators. Van Atta's debut was historic—both in his pitching performance shutting out the Senators with a score of 16–0 and for going 4-for-4 in batting performance. [4] To date,he is the only American League (AL) pitcher to get four hits in his major league debut,and one of only seven players in AL history to do so in a nine-inning game. [5] [note 1]
Van Atta's season performance consisted of a .283 batting average,4.38 ERA and a record of 12 wins and 4 losses (.750). [2] Although a "late bloomer" at age 27,his rookie year was successful and he led the American League among pitchers in win–loss record,tying for first with Lefty Grove (24–8) of the Philadelphia Athletics. [6] [7]
The successes of Van Atta's rookie year did not carry over into subsequent seasons. His statistics and performance declined for the rest of his career. In 1934,he posted a 6.34 ERA and a 3–5 record. In December 1934,Van Atta injured his pitching hand while breaking a glass window to rescue his pet cocker spaniel during a house fire at his home in the Lake Mohawk section of Sparta Township,New Jersey. [8] The injuries included cuts to his left hand that caused nerve damage. For the rest of his career,he would be limited to relief pitching and few spot-starts. [3]
Shortly after spring training,on May 15,1935,the St. Louis Browns acquired Van Atta from the Yankees. [2]
St. Louis Browns (1935–1939)
In 1935,Van Atta went 9–16 with a 5.30 ERA,but still Van Atta managed to lead the league with 58 appearances (his 16 losses were the second highest total in the league,behind only Bobo Newsom's 18). He posted an even worse ERA the next season,at 6.60,but again he led the league in appearances with 52. Van Atta played his final game on May 11,1939.
Overall in his career,Van Atta went 33–41 with a 5.60 ERA. At the plate,he hit .228 with 2 home runs,and on the field he showed off a .929 fielding percentage.
