Carl Reynolds
Carl Reynolds was born about 15 years too late. His skills would have served him better in the dead-ball era. He had good speed despite the fact that he was a relatively large man (about the same size as Ty Cobb). He bounced around among five major league teams and finished his 13 seasons with a .302 batting average. He was involved in one of the bloodiest on-field fights of the 1930s.
Played For
Chicago White Sox (1927-1931)
Washington Senators (1932)
St. Louis Browns (1933)
Boston Red Sox (1934-1935)
Washington Senators (1936)
Chicago Cubs (1937-1939)
Best Season: 1930
Big surprise huh? It seems every outfielder in both leagues had their best season in 1930. Reynolds collected 202 hits and hit .359 (4th). He was top ten in slugging, total bases, OPS, triples, homers, and steals. On July 2, in the finale of a twinbill in Yankee Stadium, Reynolds hit three homers in the first three innings of the game, two of them inside the park jobs that fell over the head of Yankee center fielder Earl Combs.
Factoids
During Chicago's heated 1930 post-season "City Series," White Sox outfielder Carl Reynolds was pelted with lemons in center field by fans at Wrigley Field.
While with the Red Sox in 1935, Carl Reynolds was involved in a bizarre play that almost cost Lou Gehrig his consecutive games streak. On June 8, Reynolds collided with Gehrig at first base on a close play at the bag. Gehrig left the game with shoulder injuries (Reynolds was just as big as Lou) and looked like he may be out for a few days. But luck prevailed when rain cancelled the next day's game and an off-day followed, buying the Yankee legend enough time to recuperate.
Three Trips, Three Trots
On July 2, 1930, in the second game of a doubleheader against New York in Yankee Stadium, Reynolds smashed three homers. Hundreds of players have hit three homers in one game, but the amazing thing about Reynolds' trifecta was that they came in the first three innings. Reynolds hit homers in each of the first three innings, including two of the inside-the-park variety.
According to newspaper accounts, Reynolds lined two balls over the head of Yankees' center fielder Earl Combs and circled the bases before the relay throws made it back to the plate. His other homer was a blast off Red Ruffing into the left field seats. Reynolds' White Sox defeated the Yanks 15-4. Despite Reynolds' slugging, the big news of the day as reported the New York Times was that Babe Ruth had torn a nail off his finger while scaling the outfield wall.
On May 2, 2002, Mariners' outfielder Mike Cameron duplicated the feat, hitting three homers in the first three innings, in fact two of them came in the first inning. Cameron also homered in the fifth inning as he became the 13th player to slug four home runs in a major league game.
Born
Carl Nettles Reynolds was born on February 1, 1903, in LaRue, TX.
Died
May 29, 1978, Houston, TX
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: OF
Primary Team: CHA
Major League Debut
September 1, 1927
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1927
Dick Bartell
Lloyd Waner
Sammy West
Carl Reynolds
Wes Ferrell
Wilcy Moore
Red Kress
Woody English
Fred Schulte
Similar Players
John Stone, Mike Greenwell
Related Players
Bill Dickey
Post-Season Appearances
1938 World Series
Batting Feats
Notes
In 1934, Reynolds hit safely in the first 17 games of the season for his new team, the Boston Red Sox. During the off-season, he had been pursued aggressively by both the Yankees and Red Sox, but Boston grabbed him, sending Ivy Andrews, Smead Jolley, and cash to the Browns for the outfielder.
Injuries and Explanation for Missed Playing Time
With the Senators on July 4, 1932, Reynolds was involved in one of the bloodiest fights of the 1930s. Reynolds barreled into Yankees' catcher Bill Dickey on a squeeze play and the Yank receiver felt the contact was unnecassarily rough. A fight ensued and Dickey landed a punch on Reynolds jaw, knocking him clean out. AL president Will Harridge fined Dickey the maximum $1,000 and suspended him for 30 days. Dickey was back in time for the stretch drive and played in the World Series victory over the Cubs. Reynolds' jaw was broken and he missed seven weeks but he still managed to set a career-high in doubles (28) and bat .305 with 63 RBI.
Transactions
December 4, 1931: Traded by the Chicago White Sox with John Kerr to the Washington Senators for Jackie Hayes, Bump Hadley, and Sam Jones.
December 14, 1932: Traded by the Washington Senators with Lloyd Brown, Sam West, and $20,000 to the St. Louis Browns for Goose Goslin, Fred Schulte, and Lefty Stewart.
December 14, 1933: Traded by the St. Louis Browns to the Boston Red Sox for Ivy Andrews, Smead Jolley, and cash.
December 17, 1935: Traded by the Boston Red Sox with Roy Johnson to the Washington Senators for Heinie Manush.
January 29, 1937: Traded by the Washington Senators with Red Kress and cash to the Minneapolis (American Association) for Jimmy Wasdell.
September 7, 1937: Purchased by the Chicago Cubs from the Minneapolis (American Association).
December 23, 1939: Released by the Chicago Cubs.
Home Run Facts
On July 2, 1930, Carl Reynolds of the Chicago White Sox hit three consecutive home runs in the second game of a doubleheader. With New York's cavernous Yankee Stadium providing the setting, two of Reynolds' home runs are inside-the-parkers.
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