Gavy Cravath was baseball’s most dominant home run hitter before Babe Ruth. From 1913 to 1919 the Philadelphia slugger led the National League in the category six times. Many believe he has a strong case for Cooperstown.
In 1913 Cravath hit .341 to finish as the runner-up in the batting chase. The second-place finish was the only thing standing between Cravath and the Triple Crown. He finished second in MVP voting.
Cravath led the NL in most offensive categories in 1913. In the midst of the Deadball Era, his 179 hits, 128 RBI, .341 average, 298 total bases, were all career highs.
Two years later 1915 his 24 dingers established a 20th-century mark for home runs in a single campaign. That season he also topped the league in RBI, walks, on-base percentage, and slugging. His 7.0 WAR was the most among National League position players.
Cravath’s performance pushed the Phillies to their first pennant in franchise history. In fact it was the team’s only NL flag in a 67-year run from its inception in 1883 to 1950.
The big knock on Cravath is Philadelphia’s Baker Bowl, his home park for 9 of his 11 seasons. That doesn’t diminish Cravath’s accomplishments.
According to Rick Reiff’s piece for SABR, “From 1912 through 1919 he hit a fifth of the Baker Bowl homers with less than a twentieth of the plate appearances. Cravath hit 60% as many homers as all visiting teams put together.”
During Cravath’s career he led NL position players in WAR, on-base percentage, slugging, total bases and RBI twice each. Three times he had the highest OPS+; four times the most extra-base hits. Cravath also had the most hits, runs and walks in the NL one time each.
Defensively he led the league in outfield assists three times.
Cravath’s career 151 OPS+ is among the game’s best. The mark ties him with Honus Wagner. It’s also higher than every first-ballot Hall of Famer except Ted Williams (191), Mickey Mantle (172), Ty Cobb (168), Henry Aaron (155), and Willie Mays (155).
His case for Cooperstown now rests with the Veterans Committee.
Shown here is Cravath’s signature on the back of his business card. The front of the card is seen in the next image.
An underrated slugger who belongs in the Hall of Fame!