Gavvy Cravath’s first full big league season came at age 31 in 1912. Once he was in The Show he quickly made up for lost time. From 1912 through 1919, Cravath led the National League in homers six times, and finished third twice.
Cravath’s finest season came in 1915. His 24 homers were more than all but three MLB teams. Cravath’s 115 runs batted in were 28 more than any other Senior Circuit player and his .510 slugging percentage was 53 points higher than any other big league hitter. The right fielder led the league in runs, homers, RBI, walks, on base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, OPS+, and total bases.
Over the course of his career, Cravath led the league in outfield assists three times, extra base hits four times, OPS three times, and total bases and RBI twice each. More than a century after he retired, Cravath’s career OPS+ of 151 remains tied for 30th all time with Honus Wagner.
Much of Cravath’s success came because of the park he played in. For the final 9 seasons of his career, Cravath played in Philadelphia’s Baker Bowl. The right-field fence was a mere 272 feet from home plate. Seventy-eight percent of Cravath’s homers came at the Baker Bowl.
Upon retirement as a player, Cravath managed the Salt Lake City Bees of the PCL and scouted for the Minneapolis Millers.
The Deadball Era’s Babe Ruth, Cravath died in 1963 at the age of 82.
In the collection is Gavvy Cravath’s business card as judge in the Laguna Beach/San Clemente judicial district. Cravath has added his signature on the back of the card.
An underrated slugger who belongs in the Hall of Fame!