1935 Chicago American Giants

1935 Chicago American Giants / Franchise: Chicago American Giants / BR Team Page

Record: 24-31-1, Finished 6th in Negro National League (1935 NNL)

Managed by Larry Brown

Ballpark: Cole's Park

History, Comments, Contributions

The 1935 Chicago American Giants marked only the second losing season in Chicago's 16 seasons in a major league, following 1931. With long-time manager Dave Malarcher gone, catcher Larry Brown took over the reins. While the team had six All-Stars still and four future Hall-of-Famers, performance was down.

The offense was still fine, with a 102 OPS+, third in the NNL. CF Turkey Stearnes (.388/.469/.624, 185 OPS+, 43 R, 52 RBI in 47 G) led the league in OBP, while SS Willie Wells (.355/.435/.568, 162 OPS+) led with 14 steals and scored 53 runs in 47 games, while fielding .951 compared to .925 for league shortstops as a whole. Also hitting very well were LF Mule Suttles (.282/.386/.535, 140 OPS+) and Brown (.339/.392/.522, 139 OPS+). Rounding out the regulars were 2B Jack Marshall (.277/.367/.353, 91 OPS+), 3B Alex Radcliff (.313/.388/.456, 107 OPS+) and RF Wilson Redus (.187/.280/.216, 33 OPS+), while Zack Clayton (.167/.186/.214, 5 OPS+) and Steel Arm Davis (.271/.346/.406, 97 OPS+) split first base. The only backup used regularly was C Subby Byas, who hit .200/.273/.233 for a 35 OPS+.

The staff posted a 87 ERA+, 7th in the league, a far cry from when Chicago had the dominant pitching in black baseball. Willie Foster (5-4, 2.84, 163 ERA+) was still an ace while Ted Trent was also good (3-8, 2 Sv, 3.94, 117 ERA+) but the rest of the staff struggled: Ossie Brown 2-6, 7.53 (91 ERA+), Sug Cornelius 4-5, 5.34 (87 ERA+), Walter Thomas 3-4, 8.58 (54 ERA+), Melvin Powell 2-1, 5.28 (88 ERA+) and Luther McDonald Sv, 6.97 (66 ERA+).

All stats listed are per the Seamheads database 4/29/2021

Awards and Honors

• All-Stars: Sug Cornelius, Alex Radcliff, Turkey Stearnes, Mule Suttles, Ted Trent and Willie Wells