Jigger Statz
| Birthdate | 10/20/1897 |
| Death Date | 3/16/1988 |
| Debut Year | 1919 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Cubs, Giants, MiLB, Reds, Robins |
| Position | Center Field |
Jigger Statz is one of 9 players to accumulate 4,000 hits as a pro; only Pete Rose, Ichiro Suzuki, Ty Cobb, and Hank Aaron have more.
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Jigger Statz had 4,093 career hits while playing professional baseball - only Pete Rose, Ichiro Suzuki, Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron, and Derek Jeter had more
Jigger Statz had 4,093 career hits while playing professional baseball - only Pete Rose, Ichiro Suzuki, Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron, and Derek Jeter had more
Only eight men have amassed 4,000 hits in professional baseball history. The top four men on the list are well-known – Pete Rose, Ichiro Suzuki, Ty Cobb, and Hank Aaron. The fifth man on the list is Jigger Statz.
Unlike the men ahead of him, Statz banged out most of his hits in the minor leagues. Indeed, 3,356 of his 4,093 safeties were for the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League.
Statz played 24 seasons as a pro, parts of eight as a big leaguer. He broke in with the John McGraw’s New York Giants in 1919 but didn’t spend a full season in the bigs until 1922. Only four of his years in The Show did Statz tally more than 171 at bats.
His four years in Chicago were his most productive. From 1922-1925 Statz appeared in 437 of his 683 big league games, averaging 500 plate appearances per season.
The center fielder’s finest year came with Cubs in 1923 when he posted career highs in every offensive category. His 209 hits were the second most in the NL behind only Frank Frisch of the New York Giants.
It was in the PCL that Statz left his mark. Statz posted 200 or more hits in 9 of his 18 seasons with the LA Angels. In 1926 he hit .354 with 291 hits and 407 total bases. He was voted into the inaugural PCL’s inaugural Hall of Fame class in 1943. Statz still holds PCL records for games (2790), hits (3356), doubles (597), triples (136) and runs (1996).
Shown here is a handwritten letter signed at the bottom by Jigger Statz.
He writes, “I was lucky to sign my contract with McGraw. I was extra lucky to play center field behind Grover Cleveland Alexander who I think was the greatest control pitcher of all time. Sincerely Jigger Statz.”
Statz played four seasons alongside Alexander in Chicago. Two decades after the centerfielder retired, Statz served as technical advisor for the Warner Brothers’ production called The Winning Team. It starred Ronald Reagan as Alexander with Doris Day playing his wife.
Jigger Statz called GC Alexander, "the greatest control pitcher of all time"; later Statz served as technical advisor Alexander's biopic starring Ronald Reagan
Jigger Statz called GC Alexander, "the greatest control pitcher of all time"; later Statz served as technical advisor Alexander's biopic starring Ronald Reagan
During his four seasons in Chicago, Jigger Statz played alongside 373-game winner Grover Cleveland Alexander. Old Pete had his 38th birthday by the time the two finished playing together in 1925. Though past his prime, Alexander was still effective.
In 1923, Statz’ second year with the Cubs, Alexander won 22 games and was fourth among NL pitchers in WAR. Alex gave up less than one free pass every nine innings – a career best – to lead the league. His 1.108 WHIP also paced National League pitchers.
The following season, Alexander received votes in MVP balloting. In 1925 he again led the Senior Circuit in walks/9 and won 15 games. Statz was quite impressed with the hurler.
In the previously-viewed letter, Statz gives his thoughts on Alexander. “I was extra lucky to play center field behind Grover Cleveland Alexander who I think was the greatest control pitcher of all time.”
Interestingly, Statz served as technical advisor for the 1952 Alexander biopic The Winning Team. Ronald Reagan starred as Alexander in the Warner Brothers production.
Shown here is the autograph of Grover Cleveland Alexander.
PCL legend Jigger Statz augmented his income by playing against Negro League barnstorming teams in the offseason
PCL legend Jigger Statz augmented his income by playing against Negro League barnstorming teams in the offseason
Despite the color barrier, Negro Leaguers often faced off against their MLB counterparts. These contests took place in the off-season and helped augment the income of the players involved.
Shown here is a lineup of Negro League stars called the Philadelphia Royal Giants. They squared off against Dizzy Dean’s All Stars on October 31, 1935. Satchel Paige started the game against a star-studded lineup.
PCL legend Jigger Statz played centerfield and led off, Hall of Famer Arky Vaughan batted third and played shortstop.
NL home run champion and four-time All Star Wally Berger hit behind him in the cleanup spot. Dolph Camilli who won the 1941 NL Most Valuable Player Award played first and hit 5th while Cooperstown hurler Dean got the start on the hill.
Ole Diz faced a batting order that included three men who went on to get their Cooperstown plaques: Turkey Stearnes, Mule Suttles, and Biz Mackey. The Cardinals hurler went 7 innings, giving up five hits and a pair of runs.
Satchel struck out 7, allowed two runs on two hits, and left with a no-decision after four innings. The MLB crew pushed across three more runs off of Chet Brewer to gain a 5-4 victory.
Statz went 0-for-4 on the day.
Five men have adorned their signatures to the lineup including Paige, Vaughan, Camilli, Berger, and Tuck Stainback.
