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Gabby Hartnett

Baseball is an outdoor sport in which a pitcher pitches a hard, fist sized ball to the hitting area of a batter. The batter hits the hard ball with a tapered, smooth, cylindrical bat made up of wood or metal. The batsman scores by running counter-clockwise within the four markers called the bases arranged at the corners of a diamond. Baseball is sometimes called hardball to differentiate it from similar games such as softball.

Gabby Hartnett was born on Thursday, December 20, 1900, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Hartnett was 21 years old when he broke into the big leagues on April 12, 1922, with the Chicago Cubs. His height was 6 feet 1 inches with weight of 195 pounds. He had signed a pro-contract, but was homesick and returned to Millville before ever playing. Gabby completed eight years of schooling, went to work in the U.S. Rubber shop, and caught for the plant nine and any other team his father could get him on. He spent a year and a half at a junior college, and in 1921 signed with the Eastern League's Worcester Boosters. He batted 0.264, and was purchased by Chicago for 2,500 dollars. As a shy rookie, his reticent personality led to his ironic nickname.

Hartnett became Chicago's catcher by 1924, batting 0.299, and in 1925, though he struck out 77 times to lead in the team. In 1929, his arm went mysteriously dead in spring training, where he had reported with his new bride, Martha. Hartnett followed in 1930 with his best season ever, hitting 0.339 with career highs of 122 runs batted in. An All-Star six straight years, in the 1934 game he was the catcher when Carl Hubbell fanned Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx, Simmons, and Cronin in succession. He was named MVP, Most Valuable Player in 1935, batting 0.344, topping the catchers in assists, double plays, and fielding average, and led the Cubs to the pennant.

Unfortunately he died on 20 December 1972, in Park Ridge, Illinois. He was a player with amazing playing skills. His performance in each and every game was full of energy and he was active in every game. His talents were seen in his every match.

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