1933 Pittsburgh Crawfords

1933 Pittsburgh Crawfords / Franchise: Pittsburgh Crawfords / BR Team Page

Record: 41-21-3, Finished 1st in Negro National League (1933 NNL)

League Champions

Managed by Oscar Charleston

Ballpark: Greenlee Field

History, Comments, Contributions

The 1933 Pittsburgh Crawfords were a top team in the Negro National League. They dominated the league's leaderboards. Catcher Josh Gibson (.395/.442/.744, 61 R, 74 RBI, 18 HR in 68 G, 218 OPS+) led the loop in RBI, triples (7, tied), homers, average, slugging and OBP for a Triple Crown. Player-manager 1B Oscar Charleston (.335/.395/.615, 66 R, 66 RBI in 69 G, 172 OPS+) led in runs, doubles (19) and triples (tied with Gibson). The rest of the offense was not nearly as potent. The only other players over 100 OPS+ were RF Ted Page (.356/.413/.459, 139 OPS+) and CF Cool Papa Bell (.302/.364/.390, 107 OPS+, a league-best 16 steals).

Other starters were 2B John Henry Russell (.274/.333/.363), SS Chester Williams (.259/.273/.354), 3B Judy Johnson (.252/.296/.330) and LF Jimmie Crutchfield (.233/.286/.265). Top bench players were C Bill Perkins (.254/.307/.341) and UT Anthony Cooper (.289/.333/.322).

The pitching staff had several strong options: Satchel Paige led the league in ERA (1.94, 213 ERA+) but was only 4-5 with a save, while Sam Streeter (10-4, 2.25, 184 ERA+) was 3rd in ERA and tied for second in wins with Leroy Matlock (10-6, 3.03, 137 ERA+). Bert Hunter was 8-2 for the Crawfords but with a 4.72 ERA (88 ERA+), while Harry Kincannon was 3-6, 4.71 and William Bell 7-6, 5.44.

All stats listed are per the Seamheads database 12/18/2020; other sources vary

Awards and Honors

• All-Stars: Cool Papa Bell, Oscar Charleston, Josh Gibson, Bert Hunter, Judy Johnson, Dick Lundy, Biz Mackey, Leroy Matlock, Ted Page, Satchel Paige, John Henry Russell, Sam Streeter and Jud Wilson