Tex Carleton

James Otto Carleton

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1½", Weight 180 lb.
• School Texas Christian University
• Debut April 17, 1932
• Final Game September 23, 1940
• Born August 19, 1906 in Comanche, TX USA
• Died January 12, 1977 in Fort Worth, TX USA

BR page

Biographical Information

“He seems to have everything – speed, curves, poise, and self-confidence without being cocky." - Cy Falkenberg, to The Sporting News, June 1, 1933

Pitcher Tex Carleton had a relatively brief but successful big league career, winning 100 games over 8 seasons.

Carleton began his pro career in 1925 and, while playing for the Rochester Red Wings in 1929, threw a no-hitter. After going 20-7 with a 1.89 ERA for the Houston Buffaloes in 1931, he reached the majors with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1932. He won 17 games with 4 shutouts and a 3.38 ERA for St. Louis in 1933, finishing with 15 complete games in 44 appearances and striking out a career high 147 hitters in 277 innings. The following season, 1934, he completed 16 more games in 40 appearances, with a slightly less sharp 16-11, 4.26 record and appeared for the club in the World Series. Facing the Detroit Tigers, Tex pitched twice, starting once, while only lasting 3 2/3 innings with a 7.36 ERA.

Following the 1934 season, Carleton was traded to the Chicago Cubs for a couple of players and money. With the Cubs, he led the National League with 4 shutouts in 1936, making 35 appearances with 12 complete games, 4 shutouts and a 3.65 ERA in 197 1/3 innings. He won 16 games in 1937, completing 18 of his 32 appearances with 4 more shutouts and a 3.15 ERA in 208 1/3 innings, his final 200-plus innings season. After faltering to 10-9, 5.42 in 1938 and spending 1939 in the minors, he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1940. In just his second start for Brooklyn, he threw a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds on April 30th, allowing only two walks, both to Reds leadoff hitter Billy Werber. He went 6-6 in 34 games for the Dodgers, then was back in the minors for 19 final games with the Montreal Royals in 1941.

Notable Achievements

• NL Shutouts Leader (1936)
• 15 Wins Seasons: 3 (1933, 1934 & 1937)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 3 (1933, 1934 & 1937)
• Won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1934

Further Reading

• Associated Press: "Tex Carleton Makes Comeback From Minors with No-Hit Game", The Eugene Register-Guard, May 1, 1940, p. 8. [1]
• Associated Press: "Comeback Carleton", The Sarasota Herald-Tribune, May 29, 1940, p. 7. [2]
• Havey Boyle: "The Carleton Deal", The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 4, 1940, p. 14. [3]
• Whitney Martin: "Tex Carleton Bounces Back From Minors – May Be Brooklyn Regular", The St. Petersburg Times, April 5, 1940, p. 15. [4]
• Gregory H. Wolf: "Tex Carleton", in Charles F. Faber, ed.: The 1934 St. Louis Cardinals: The World Champion Gas House Gang, SABR, Phoenix, AZ, 2014, pp. 51-56. ISBN 978-1-933599-731

Related Sites

• Tex Carleton at the SABR Bio Project
• Tex Carleton obituary