Ace Adams
| Birthdate | 3/2/1910 |
| Death Date | 2/26/2006 |
| Debut Year | 1941 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Giants |
| Position | Pitcher |
All-star reliever Ace Adams had a 1.84 ERA in 1942 & tied the modern NL record for appearances by a pitcher; the next year he broke the MLB mark.
Leave a commentIn the collection:
The first MLB game Ace Adams attended was his big league debut
The first MLB game Ace Adams attended was his big league debut
In the collection is this letter dated 8/31/1968 handwritten and signed by New York Giants reliever Ace Adams. The 5’10” Adams had a fascinating career. Originally signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers, Adams languished in the minors through his age-30 season.
By his fifth pro campaign in 1940, Adams led the Southern Association in strikeouts and helped push his Nashville team to the pennant. After winning two games in the Dixie Series against Texas League champion Houston, Adams took the train home for the off-season.
Adams’ success caught the eye of the Giants executives in New York who unbeknownst to the pitcher, bought his contract from the Dodgers. When the pitcher arrived at the train station his wife Ellie greeted him with the good news, waving the newspaper with the headline, “Adams Sold to Giants”.
In this letter Adams writes, “You asked me for a a few lines about a memorable moment in my baseball career.
“One that stands out to me is the day in April 1941. The Giants were playing Brooklyn on Opening Day.
“Many exciting instances happened in this game. I pitched the last four innings in this game and got credit for winning it.
“This should not be too exciting or interesting, except for one thing. It was against Brooklyn on Opening Day and it was the first Major League Game I had ever seen. ‘Believe it or not.’ ”
Adams then signs his name at the bottom.
Ace Adams was one of baseball's leading fireman
Ace Adams was one of baseball's leading fireman
Ace Adams flourished in a role similar to that of today’s leading firemen. He led the league in games finished in four consecutive seasons, appearances in three straight and in saves in back-to-back years.
In 1942 he posted a 1.84 ERA. Adams also pitched in 61 games to tie the modern NL record for appearances held by fellow New Giants hurler Christy Mathewson. The following season Adams set a new Major League mark for appearances in a season with 70.
In his six big league seasons, all with the New York Giants, Adams appeared in 302 games. He finished more than 2/3 of the games he pitched in.
Interestingly, Adams given first name is actually Ace. When he died in 2006 he was survived by many including his son, grandson, great-grandson, and great-great-grandson, all likewise named Ace.
Shown here is a government postcard from 1949 signed by Adams.
Government postcards give context and help authenticate signatures
Government postcards give context and help authenticate signatures
Government postcards are highly sought after by autograph collectors. The postmark gives context and helps authenticate the signatures. The reverse of the postcard signed by Adams is shown above. Notice the postmark of January 18, 1949 from Adams’ hometown of Iron City, Georgia.
Though the signature of Adams is by no means rare, vintage autographs from the 1940s remain difficult to find and highly desirable.
In 1946, Adams jumped to the Mexican League; MLB banned him
In 1946, Adams jumped to the Mexican League; MLB banned him
In 1946 recruiters from the Mexican League raided big league rosters by enticing players with big money. According to Warren Corbett’s SABR biography on Adams, the pitcher was offered a $10,000 signing bonus and a $10,000 salary after making $9,000 the year before. At 36 years old and nearing the end of his career, Adams left the Giants after three appearances and headed down south.
In Mexico Adams went 5-7 with a 4.09 ERA. Money dried up and the big leaguers were not offered Mexican contracts in ’47. Commissioner Happy Chandler declared a five-year ban for all major leaguers who made the jump.
Instead of continuing his playing career, Adams returned to his Georgia farm.
In this letter fellow Mexican League jumper Danny Gardella writes in part, “Cheap and monopolistic Happy Chandler banished all players (who) went to Mexico and I asked Fred Johnson to represent me in court and the reserve clause became infamous and the great American game tried to make proper changes like unions to shape the modern player.”
The second page of the letter is shown in the next image.
Though Happy Chandler declared amnesty, Adams did not return
Though Happy Chandler declared amnesty, Adams did not return
When players who jumped to the Mexican Leagues weren’t allowed to return to the big in 1947, Danny Gardella sued Major League Baseball. He challenged the reserve clause that bound players to one team.
A legal defeat would change baseball forever. Rather than face that possibility, Commissioner Happy Chandler offered the players amnesty. Gardella dropped his lawsuit.
Now 39, Ace Adams did not attempt a comeback.
Shown here is the second page of the letter. A reflective Gardella continues, “I hope I have been good for baseball…”
