Earle Combs, baseball player, 1924-1935

Earle Combs

⭐ Hall of Fame 1970

Born: 5/14/1899 in Pebworth, KY, USA

Died: 7/21/1976 in Richmond, KY, USA

MLB Debut: 1924-04-16 | Final Game: 1935-09-29

Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 185 lbs

Full name: Earle Bryan Combs

Biography

Earle Combs was born in 1899 and enjoyed a prolific career as a center fielder in Major League Baseball from 1924 until his retirement in 1935. Playing primarily for the New York Yankees, Combs was an essential member of the team during a golden era of baseball, contributing significantly to their success in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Over the course of 1,455 games, he accumulated an impressive 1,866 hits, 58 home runs, and 632 RBIs, boasting a remarkable career batting average of .325. His speed on the bases was evident as he recorded 96 stolen bases, showcasing his ability to impact the game not just with his bat but also with his agility. Combs was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970, a testament to his lasting legacy in the sport. His playing style was characterized by a combination of power and speed, making him one of the premier hitters of his time. As a member of the Yankees, he was part of several championship teams and played alongside legends like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, solidifying his place in baseball history. Combs’ contributions to the game and his performances during a transformative period in Major League Baseball have left an indelible mark, and he remains a celebrated figure in the annals of the sport.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
1455 5746 1186 1866 309 154 58 632 96 670 278 0.325 0.397 0.462 0.859 18737.9

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
16 60 17 21 3 0 1 9 10 7 0.350

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
1932 WS NYA 4 16 8 6 1 0 1 4 4 3 0.375
1928 WS NYA 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .000
1927 WS NYA 4 16 6 5 0 0 0 2 1 2 0.312
1926 WS NYA 7 28 3 10 2 0 0 2 5 2 0.357

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
OF 1387 0 3449 69 95 23

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Left Field 214
Center Field 1157
Right Field 41

Awards & Honors

Year Award Notes
1929 Baseball Magazine All-Star CF

College History

School Name City State Years Attended
Eastern Kentucky University Richmond KY 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1928 Most Valuable Player AL 6th 13.0 64 0
1925 Most Valuable Player AL 18th 6.0 64 0