1935 Homestead Grays

1935 Homestead Grays / Franchise: Homestead Grays / BR Team Page

Record: 26-36-2, Finished 7th in Negro National League (1935 NNL)

Managed by Cum Posey

Ballpark: Greenlee Field

History, Comments, Contributions

The 1935 Homestead Grays marked the team's return to the Negro National League after a year as an independent team. While they would become a power, they struggled this year.

The offense was very good - a .302 team average and 115 OPS+, highlighted by 1B Buck Leonard (.389/.451/.618, 172 OPS+, 18 2B, 36 RBI in 40 G), the batting champion and double leader and 2B Matt Carlisle (.364/.428/.599, 11 3B, 37 R in 44 G, 167 OPS+), the triple leader. Other strong hitters were C Tommie Dukes (.353/.435/.535, 148 OPS+), RF Buddy Burbage (.341/.407/.512, 22 R in 23 G), LF Vic Harris (.324/.393/.506, 129 OPS+), CF Jerry Benjamin (.317/.359/.467, 110 OPS+, 38 R in 44 G), CF/P Ray Brown (.280/.375/.559, 136 OPS+, 29 RBI in 35 G) and IF George Scales (.269/.372/.490, 119 OPS+). 3B Jimmy Binder (.241/.285/.276, 44 OPS+) and SS Jelly Jackson (.142/.219/.191, 6 OPS+, 21 E in 44 G) did not fare as well.

Brown was also their pitching ace (8-5, Sv, 3.26, 162 ERA+, tied for the league lead in wins) but the rest of the staff was not as sharp; even with Brown, their 95 ERA+ was 5th in the league. Other regular hurlers were Louis Dula (2-3, 4.22, 122 ERA+), Willie Gisentaner (6-3, Sv, 4.76, 111 ERA+), Joe Strong (5-5, 6.17, 86 ERA+) and Tom Parker (0-6, 9.63, 55 ERA+, a league-high 45 walks).

All stats listed are per the Seamheads database 4/20/2021

Awards and Honors

• All-Stars: Ray Brown and Buck Leonard