Vince Barton

Vincent David Barton

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 180 lb.
• Debut July 17, 1931
• Final Game July 24, 1932
• Born February 1, 1908 in Edmonton, AB CAN
• Died September 13, 1973 in Toronto, ON CAN

BR page

Biographical Information

Barton was one of professional baseball’s most prolific home-run hitters of the 1930s, although his big-league career was limited to a modest 102 games.

Barton was born in Alberta and moved to Toronto as a child. He was a sandlot player with the junior Toronto McCormicks when he was signed by the Baltimore Orioles of the International League in October 1927.

Barton hit .341 with 32 homers for the Orioles in 1930 and the Chicago Cubs purchased his contract in September for a whopping $40,000 -- the equivalent of $740,000 in 2023 dollars.

He made his major-league debut with the Cubs on July 17, 1931. He batted .238 with 13 homers and 50 RBIs in 239 at-bats that season. His 13 homers was ninth best in the National League despite the fact he played in only 66 games. No Cubs player had more home runs in his first 66 career games until 2015, when Kyle Schwarber hit 16 four-baggers.

Barton appeared in only 36 games with the Cubs in 1932, his final year in the big leagues. He suffered a serious eye infection during spring training with the Cubs in 1933 and almost lost the sight in his right eye.

He spent the remainder of his career in the minor leagues. Barton is best known for hitting five home runs in a game for the Hickory Rebels of the outlaw Carolina League on August 26, 1938.

Further reading

• Gary Belleville: "August 4, 1931: Rookie Vince Barton slams two homers to power Cubs over Reds," SABR Baseball Games Project.