1935 Philadelphia Stars

1935 Philadelphia Stars / Franchise: Philadelphia Stars / BR Team Page

Record: 37-31-4, Finished 4th in Negro National League (1935 NNL)

Managed by Webster McDonald

Ballpark: Passon Field, Penmar Park

History, Comments, Contributions

The 1935 Philadelphia Stars were not as good as the 1934 Philadelphia Stars, who had won the pennant, but were still above average. They had most of the starters (5 of 9) for the East in the 1935 East-West Game.

The team had a 5.28 ERA (95 ERA+), 4th in the 8-team league. Last year's superstar, Slim Jones, started the East-West Game but proved to be a one-year wonder overall with a 4-5, 5.88 (86 ERA+) record. Player-manager Webster McDonald wound up as the ace (8-4, 4.30, 117 ERA+) while Rocky Ellis (7-4, 4.85, 104 ERA+) was an okay #2. In addition to Jones, Paul Carter (5-2, 5.68, 89 ERA+) and Lefty Holmes (4-6, 6.84, 74 ERA+) had ERA+s under 90.

The offense was not as good, 6th in the league with a 89 OPS+. 1B Jud Wilson was still his Hall-of-Fame self (.352/.402/.617, 150 OPS+, 52 RBI in 51 G) while RF Ted Page (.359/.445/.514, 138 OPS+) and CF/SS Jake Dunn (.321/.419/.484, 124 OPS+) did their share. The only other starter with a OPS+ of 100 or better was 3B Dewey Creacy (.298/.379/.424, 100 OPS+), who fielded only .873 at the hot corner. 2B Dick Seay (.257/.333/.408, 84 OPS+), C Biz Mackey (.291/.356/.392, 86 OPS+) and SS Jake Stephens (.242/.320/.280, 51 OPS+) joined Wilson and Jones in starting the East-West Game but none posted an impressive OPS+; for Mackey, the voters may have been remembering his glory days of the past, while Seay and Stephens may have been chosen for their gloves. The other starter was LF Chaney White, who hit .287/.359/.372 for a 83 OPS+. Five backups played at least 15 games and most hit poorly: 1B Granville Lyons (.263/.314/.326, 60 OPS+), C Mickey Casey (.383/.451/.481, 132 OPS+), CF Lloyd Davenport (.179/.207/.232, 9 OPS+), CF Pete Washington (.174/.208/.217, 6 OPS+) and C Pepper Bassett (.214/.233/.262, 23 OPS+).

All stats listed are per the Seamheads database 5/3/2021

Awards and Honors

• All-Stars: Slim Jones, Biz Mackey, Dick Seay, Jake Stephens and Jud Wilson