Arky Vaughan SS pirates
Metropolitan stadium in Minnesota
On my phone please pm next for me
1. Despite leaving his home state of Arkansas before his first birthday, one of Floyd Vaughan's schoolmates tagged the future ballplayer with the moniker "Arky"2. Bill James called him the 2nd best shortstop in major league history when the New Historical Abstract came out in 2001. (A-Rod might argue that point now)
3. Although he was third in National League MVP voting behind Gabby Hartnett and Dizzy Dean, Vaughan was named Player of the Year by The Sporting News. His 1935 season has been called the best ever by a shortstop other than Honus Wagner. (A-Rod might argue that point too)
4. After leaving the Seals, Vaughan bought a ranch in Eagleville, California where he retired to fish, hunt and tend cattle. On August 30, 1952, Vaughan was fishing in nearby Lost Lake, with his friend Bill Wimer. According to a witness, Wimer stood up in the boat, causing it to capsize, and both men drowned, and their bodies were recovered the next day. Vaughan was 40.
5. 9-time NL All-Star (1934-1942)
6. 3-time NL On-Base Percentage Leader (1934-1936)
7. Despite the fact that he holds their single-season records for AVG and OBP, and had a .324 AVG and 1700 hits for the Pirates during his career, the Pirates never retired Arky's number. Mostly because he wore #21 for most of his career.
8. Because of point #7, you could argue that the 2 greatest Pirates ever to wear a uniform number both wore #21. The Pirates retired 33 for Honus Wagner because he wore it as a coach, but he never wore a number as a player. (I'm not sure I'd put Arky #2 or even Clemente #1, but that's a discussion for another day)