Reading Aces

• Location: Reading, PA
• League: International League 1921-1922
• Affiliation:
• Ballpark: Lauer's Park

The International League team from Reading, PA had been the Reading Coal Barons in their first year in 1919 and the Reading Marines in 1920. In 1921 they became the Reading Aces, a name that actually lasted for an entire two years. The first season was not a pleasant one as the Aces were 56-110 under Dick Hoblitzel, the worst record in the IL. Hoblitzel had a solid season (.351, 22 steals, .493 slugging) and got some support from 3B Fred Thomas (.335, 32 steals, 21 triples, .508 slugging) and OF Ed Goebel (.306, 40 steals, 103 runs, .488 slugging). Myrl Brown (17-14, 4.26) was the ace a year after losing 20 games; when Brown wasn't getting the decision Reading was just 39-96 (.289). Frank Karpp (9-23, 4.40) just avoided leading the IL in losses - that "honor" went to teammate Clarence Fisher (8-25, 4.82). Reading scored 763 runs, fewest in the IL.

The Aces were more "ace-like" in 1922 when they went 71-93 under new player-manager Chief Bender. Bender certainly helped out, with a 2.41 ERA, the best in the IL, though his record was just 8-13. Brown (15-11, 3.51) was over .500 on a bad team for the third time in four years with Reading in the IL, while Karpp (13-12, 4.27) also topped .500. The constantly shuffling roster featured 51 players, including Al Schacht (5-6, 3.20) and Babe Herman (.258 in 8 games). The offense was led by outfielders Hinkey Haines (.317/~.396/.450, 45 SB, including 13 games with the Jersey City Skeeters) and Frank Gilhooley (.362/~.454/.458, 124 runs, 107 walks, 13 triples, 22 steals and a league=high 230 hits) and 1B Sam Post (.330/~.415/.476).

The team name changed again in 1923 as they became the Reading Keystones.

Source: "The International League: Year-by-Year Statistics" by Marshall Wright

Year-by-Year Record

Year	Record	Finish	Manager	Playoffs
1921	56-110	8th	Dick Hoblitzel	none
1922	71-93	6th	Chief Bender	none