553:. And far from hitting .300 at Dunn Field, Tavener compiled a career low batting average of .212, 50 points lower than Tavener had averaged at Detroit. Tavener appeared in his final major league game on October 6, 1929. Detroit sports writer Sam Greene opined that Tavener's decline actually began with his finger injury in 1927: "The fact remains, however, that Tavener never regained the fielding and all-around skill he had known prior to the accident."
356:
wasn't capable of sticking with a big league team." Tavener concluded that he had been ready in 1921, but Cobb's conviction caused a three-year delay in
Tavener's major league career. While Tavener eventually bulked up to 138 pounds, at 5-feet, 5-inches, he remained "one of the smallest men ever to play in the majors." He was sometimes referred to in newspapers or by fans as "the midget," the "Tom Thumb shortstop," or "Pee Wee."
398:
11 triples, and 47 RBIs were encouraging. His defensive performance provided even more cause for optimism. Despite being a starter for less than the full season, Tavener was one of the defensive leaders among the
American League's shortstops with a .963 fielding percentage (2nd), 73 double plays (4th), 229 putouts (4th), and 398 assists (4th).
489:, 0.66 points higher than the average shortstop that year. He also ranked second in assists (405) and putouts (302). However, his fielding percentage continued a slide begun with the injury in 1927. His 1928 fielding percentage of .944 was nearly 20 points below his 1925 figure, and his 42 errors were a career high.
473:. He finished the 1927 season with career highs in batting average (.274), RBIs (59), stolen bases (19), and home runs (5). And despite missing two months from the infield, he was still one of the leading American League shortstops with 79 double plays (3rd), a .948 fielding percentage (3rd) and a 5.28
423:
In 1926, Tavener played all 156 games at shortstop for
Detroit. He increased his batting average by 20 points over the prior year to .265 and contributed 22 doubles, 14 triples (5th most in the league), 58 RBIs, 52 bases on balls, and 28 sacrifice hits (3rd most in the league). He was paired in 1926
413:
was in his prime. He cut off base hit after base hit, going now far to his right side and now to his left. When occasion demanded, he roamed into left field for fly balls that previously had gone for base hits. While
Tavener was a light hitter, his defensive skill more than off-set his weakness on
397:
had been entrenched as
Detroit's starting shortstop since 1922, but Tavener quickly took the job from him. During the 1925 season, Tavener started 130 games at shortstop, with Rigney starting only 26 games. Tavener compiled a somewhat disappointing .245 batting average in 1925, but his 11 doubles,
36:
544:
noted that
Tavener had always played "a whale of a game" at Dunn Field and predicted that he would bat .300 playing there for 77 games. Powers also pointed out that Tavener had more triples (18) and home runs (5) in 1928 than any of the Indians players, and more than a third of Tavener's hits went
465:
in the voting for the Most
Valuable Player (MVP) on the Tigers, and Sam Greene wrote that the finger injury took away any shot Tavener had for being selected MVP. Greene wrote that Tavener was forced out of the infield for two months, and when he returned, "he was not right." According to Greene,
432:
wrote: "In going after a ground ball or a fly ball, Tavener is without peer in the
American League. He has a throwing arm that is without equal." With Gehringer's support, Tavener led the American League with 92 double plays turned in 1926. He also ranked second among the league's shortstops with
379:
Tavener became "one of the most popular
Panther players during the 1920s." In 1922, Tavener had 55 RBIs, nine triples, and 17 stolen bases, and drew 70 bases on balls. He had his best season at Fort Worth in 1924. That year, he compiled a .285 batting average with 22 doubles, seven triples, and
573:
in 1931 and 1932. Proving that he still had power in his swing, Tavener, at age 34, contributed 30 doubles, 10 triples and a career high 15 home runs in 1931. He returned to the Fort Worth
Panthers in 1933 and concluded his professional baseball career as a back-up shortstop during the 1933 and
492:
Tavener also performed well at the plate in 1928. He collected career highs with 24 doubles, 15 triples and five home runs. His 15 triples was fifth best in the American League. Tavener's ability to collect extra-base hits was a function not only of his speed and strength, but also of opponents
355:
Tavener appeared in only two games for Detroit. He had no hits in four at bats, but had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with three putouts and four assists. Tavener believed he played as well as any infielder in workouts, but "Cobb couldn't get away from the conviction that a runt like me
460:
However, Tavener missed some 40 games during the 1927 season, principally due to an off-the-playing-field injury that eventually cut short his major league career. Tavener slashed the index finger of his throwing hand while "fumbling around in the ice box of his house one evening." The wound
493:
underestimating him due to his small size. Sports writer Sam Greene reported that Tavener "walloped the ball with astonishing strength" but noted that "ime and again we have seen opposing outfielders play in for Tavener, only to have him drive the ball beyond them for extra bases."
324:
with 29 doubles and 13 triples. Although his fielding percentage was .926, he accepted 808 chances and had 280 putouts and 468 assists. His range and skill at the shortstop position immediately earned him a reputation as "just about the sweetest fielder in the minors."
440:. Greene declared unequivocally that "Tavener is the best fielding shortstop in the league." Moreover, Greene noted that Tavener had improved as a batter and had developed a knack for hitting with men on base, making him "a feared batsman in the pinch."
536:. The trade was controversial among Cleveland fans, as Uhle was a fan favorite who had won 147 game in Cleveland, including a 27-win season in 1926. The Indians sought to justify the trade by pointing out that Tavener had always hit well at Cleveland's
590:
reported that Tavener's holdings had expanded to two bowling alleys, which were among "the finest bowling establishments in the Southwest." Tavener was himself an avid bowler who insisted in 1942 that he bowled better than any of his customers.
548:
Despite the best hopes of Cleveland's management and Francis J. Powers, the trade proved to be disastrous for the Indians. Tavener started only 67 games at shortstop in 1929, losing the starting job to rookie
461:
healed, but Tavener lost feeling in the tip of his finger. The condition handicapped his throwing ability and reportedly "provided a mental hazard that affected his general play." He finished second to
456:
credited Tavener as "an imposing factor in the recent climb of the club," as he consistently "provided exceptional strength on defense and recently his batting has become a menace to opposing pitchers."
496:
Tavener's most memorable accomplishments during the 1928 season came as a base runner. His 19 stolen bases ranked eighth in the league. He also became only the fourth player in major league history (
565:
in 1930. He again became the Panthers' starting shortstop and compiled a .274 batting average with 23 doubles and 14 triples in 1930. He next played two seasons as the starting shortstop for the
380:
four home runs. He also led the Texas League in 1924 with 844 chances accepted, 552 assists, and 95 double plays, and he was second among the league's shortstops with a .951 fielding percentage.
582:
Tavener was married in 1924. He and his wife had no children. For 37 years starting in the early 1930s, Tavener owned a bowling alley called "Tavener's Playdium" on Camp Bowie Boulevard in
343:
purchased Tavener from Columbia for $ 6,500 and gave him a tryout. At the time, Tavener was 5-feet, 5-inches tall and weighed only 128 pounds. When Tavener reported to Detroit, manager
351:
Kid, you've come to us with a reputation of being a smart player and one of the best fielders in the minors, but your size is against you. You just aren't big enough to make the club.
485:
In 1928, Tavener returned as the Tigers' starting shortstop for the fourth year. He appeared in 131 games at the position and led the American League's shortstops with a 5.50
376:
championships. Indeed, the 1922 and 1924 Panthers, with records of 109-46 and 109–41, have been rated as the 17th and 4th best minor league team of all time.
466:"His finger was lifeless and he could not throw accurately. Many a base runner reached first base because Tavener was handicapped in his gripping the ball."
512:
are the others) to steal second, third and home in the same inning on more than one occasion. He first accomplished the feat on July 10, 1927, against the
470:
1057:"Cleveland Weighs Facts on Tavener: Tiny Shortstop From Detroit Can Drive Ball Distance; Average But .260, Although Third of Hits Go For Extra Bases".
1087:
497:
372:. For the next three years, from 1922 to 1924, Tavener was the starting shortstop for teams that won three consecutive Texas League pennants and two
253:
516:. He repeated on July 25, 1928, also against the Yankees. No player has accomplished the feat more than once since Tavener did it in 1927 and 1928.
393:
In 1925, Cobb was still the manager of the Tigers, but Tavener had proved himself in Fort Worth. Accordingly, Tavener rejoined the Tigers in 1925.
566:
414:
attack. Detroit . . . needed someone to discourage the offense of the opposition. Tavener did that as few young infielders have ever done it."
1102:
570:
799:
347:
immediately concluded that Tavener was too small to play in the major leagues. Interviewed in 1942, Tavener recounted Cobb's comments:
1097:
448:
Tavener's 1927 season was, in fairness, two seasons. During the first half, he played as well as he ever had. Under new head coach
1107:
220:
Tavener was known as one of the smallest men ever to play in the major leagues and was rejected for that reason by Detroit manager
1042:
Francis J. Powers (December 20, 1928). "Cleveland Thinks Evans Did Good Job: Taverner Will Give Indians Capable Man for Short".
1092:
831:
726:(The article recites prices paid by big league clubs for Sally League talent and reflects $ 6,500 a price paid for Tavener.)
321:
283:
and became one of the most popular Panther players. He played on Fort Worth teams that won three pennants and two
245:
132:
332:
of the Washington Senators sent a scout to Columbia to take a look at Tavener. The scout saw Tavener's teammate,
402:
594:
Tavner died in September 1969 in Fort Worth at age 71, and was buried at Greenwood Memorial Park in Fort Worth.
409:"The midget from Fort Worth proceeded to show Detroit fans the flashiest work at shortstop they had seen since
317:
428:, and the pair became "a formidable defensive duo up the middle for Detroit." In August 1926, Sam Greene in
550:
309:
202:
664:
1082:
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35:
562:
365:
276:
241:
224:
after a two-game tryout in 1921. When he rejoined the Tigers in 1925, Tavener became one of the
633:
228:'s best defensive shortstops, ranking among the league leaders every year from 1925 to 1928 in
827:
583:
541:
529:
425:
288:
269:
249:
233:
214:
179:
81:
747:
Zeke Handler (March 5, 1942). "Tavener, Held Too Tiny by Ty, Sees Break for Little Fellows".
513:
449:
313:
225:
898:
462:
340:
329:
320:. He appeared in 142 games at the shortstop position for Columbia and compiled a .290
210:
173:
252:
in 1925, 1926 and 1928. He is also one of only four players in major league history (
1071:
851:
394:
152:
876:
838:("One of the most popular Panther players during the 1920s was 'Pee Wee' Tavener.")
537:
525:
505:
486:
474:
373:
369:
333:
305:
284:
280:
257:
64:
436:
At the end of the 1926 season, Sam Greene continued his high praise of Tavener in
1027:
Leonard Gettelson (June 7, 1969). "Carew In Fast Company With His 3-Theft Feat".
533:
291:, where he was the proprietor of a bowling alley known as "Tavener's Playdium."
265:
237:
561:
Tavener was released by the Indians after the 1929 season and returned to the
410:
509:
261:
206:
44:
248:
of .255, Tavener could hit with power and was among the league leaders in
328:
Tavener's performance in Columbia drew attention from the major leagues.
198:
142:
783:
Sam Greene (November 5, 1925). "Faces Shift Fast in Ty's Great Quest".
501:
344:
221:
939:
Sam Greene (August 26, 1926). "Ty Drops Skeleton At Griffith's Door".
229:
1012:
Sam Greene (October 27, 1927). "Heilmann's Value Told In Averages".
994:
Sam Greene (December 12, 1929). "Benton Planning To Trade Quintet".
201:
player from 1921 to 1934. He played all or parts of six seasons in
364:
After his brief tryout, the Detroit Tigers assigned Tavener to the
469:
Despite the handicap, Tavener finished 13th in the voting for the
405:
was ebullient in his praise for Tavener's defensive performance:
401:
At the end of the 1925 season, veteran Detroit sports writer
336:, who was batting .390, and signed him instead of Tavener.
287:
championships from 1922 to 1924. Tavener later settled in
540:
with its short right-field wall. Cleveland sports writer
308:, Tavener began his professional baseball career in the "
122:
October 6, 1929, for the Cleveland Indians
112:
September 24, 1921, for the Detroit Tigers
452:, the Tigers improved substantially, and in July 1927,
193:(December 27, 1897 – September 14, 1969), nicknamed "
165:
151:
141:
131:
126:
116:
106:
26:
524:In December 1928, the Tigers traded Tavener with
705:Lee Allen (May 17, 1969). "Cooperstown Corner".
852:"Top 100 Teams: 17. 1922 Fort Worth Panthers"
8:
877:"Top 100 Teams: 4. 1924 Fort Worth Panthers"
471:American League Most Valuable Player Award
34:
23:
822:Mark Presswood, J. Chris Holaday (2004).
634:"Jackie Tavener Statistics & History"
275:Tavener also played six seasons with the
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1005:
989:
987:
985:
983:
957:"History Repeating In Moriarty's Case".
952:
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778:
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732:
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169:
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690:"Silver Linings To Fort Worth Cloud".
817:
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813:
628:
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424:with Detroit's rookie second baseman
7:
972:"Moriarty Strikes Winning Balance".
624:
622:
620:
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16:American baseball player (1897-1969)
268:second, third and home in the same
826:. Arcadia Publishing. p. 33.
789:("The midget from Fort Worth ...")
14:
769:. September 27, 1969. p. 38.
665:"Jackie Tavener Minor Statistics"
300:Cobb passes due to Tavener's size
1088:Major League Baseball shortstops
197:", was an American professional
1061:. December 27, 1928. p. 6.
961:. November 25, 1926. p. 1.
800:"Tavener a Booster for Ty Cobb"
720:"Sally Looks for Higher Bids".
694:. February 16, 1922. p. 3.
724:. October 24, 1929. p. 7.
1:
433:300 putouts and 470 assists.
765:"John A. (Jackie) Tavener".
295:Professional baseball career
272:on more than one occasion.
1124:
1103:Baseball players from Ohio
976:. July 7, 1927. p. 1.
806:. May 25, 1931. p. 3.
191:John Adam "Jackie" Tavener
1098:Cleveland Indians players
170:
161:
121:
111:
88:
71:
51:
42:
33:
1108:People from Celina, Ohio
318:Columbia, South Carolina
879:. Minor League Baseball
854:. Minor League Baseball
339:In September 1921, the
176:(1921, 1925–1928)
1093:Detroit Tigers players
905:. Sports Reference LLC
903:baseball-reference.com
824:Baseball in Fort Worth
671:. Sports Reference LLC
669:baseball-reference.com
640:. Sports Reference LLC
638:baseball-reference.com
578:Family and later years
416:
353:
213:(1921, 1925–1928) and
804:The Milwaukee Journal
498:Baseball Hall of Fame
407:
349:
254:Baseball Hall of Fame
203:Major League Baseball
571:American Association
299:
563:Fort Worth Panthers
366:Fort Worth Panthers
360:Fort Worth Panthers
277:Fort Worth Panthers
264:are the others) to
256:inductees Ty Cobb,
244:. Despite a career
242:fielding percentage
117:Last MLB appearance
312:" playing for the
75:September 14, 1969
1059:The Sporting News
1044:The Sporting News
1029:The Sporting News
1014:The Sporting News
996:The Sporting News
974:The Sporting News
959:The Sporting News
941:The Sporting News
926:Charlie Gehringer
785:The Sporting News
767:The Sporting News
749:The Sporting News
722:The Sporting News
707:The Sporting News
692:The Sporting News
588:The Sporting News
584:Fort Worth, Texas
567:Milwaukee Brewers
545:for extra bases.
542:Francis J. Powers
530:Cleveland Indians
520:Cleveland Indians
454:The Sporting News
438:The Sporting News
430:The Sporting News
426:Charlie Gehringer
215:Cleveland Indians
188:
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180:Cleveland Indians
82:Fort Worth, Texas
62:December 27, 1897
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899:"Topper Rigney"
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450:George Moriarty
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322:batting average
314:Columbia Comers
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246:batting average
226:American League
133:Batting average
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63:
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21:Baseball player
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463:Harry Heilmann
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341:Detroit Tigers
330:Clark Griffith
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211:Detroit Tigers
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79:(aged 71)
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28:Jackie Tavener
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1031:. p. 22.
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928:. p. 37.
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751:. p. 12.
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1046:. p. 2.
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1016:. p. 2.
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998:. p. 2.
995:
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943:. p. 1.
940:
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925:
919:
907:. Retrieved
902:
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881:. Retrieved
856:. Retrieved
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803:
794:
787:. p. 1.
784:
766:
748:
721:
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709:. p. 6.
706:
700:
691:
685:
673:. Retrieved
668:
642:. Retrieved
637:
593:
587:
581:
560:
547:
532:for pitcher
526:Ken Holloway
523:
506:Honus Wagner
495:
491:
487:range factor
484:
475:range factor
468:
459:
453:
447:
437:
435:
429:
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408:
400:
392:
378:
374:Dixie Series
370:Texas League
363:
354:
350:
338:
334:Goose Goslin
327:
310:Sally League
306:Celina, Ohio
303:
285:Dixie Series
281:Texas League
274:
258:Honus Wagner
238:double plays
219:
194:
190:
189:
97:
91:
77:(1969-09-14)
72:
65:Celina, Ohio
52:
43:
18:
1083:1969 deaths
1078:1897 births
586:. In 1942,
551:Ray Gardner
534:George Uhle
481:1928 season
444:1927 season
419:1926 season
389:1925 season
1072:Categories
833:073853241X
598:References
538:Dunn Field
500:inductees
411:Donie Bush
403:Sam Greene
289:Fort Worth
58:1897-12-27
510:Max Carey
262:Max Carey
207:shortstop
143:Home runs
107:MLB debut
45:Shortstop
304:Born in
217:(1929).
209:for the
199:baseball
909:May 26,
883:May 27,
858:May 27,
675:May 27,
644:May 27,
569:of the
528:to the
502:Ty Cobb
477:(4th).
368:in the
345:Ty Cobb
279:in the
250:triples
234:assists
230:putouts
222:Ty Cobb
92:Batted:
830:
270:inning
195:Rabbit
182:(1929)
98:Threw:
84:, U.S.
67:, U.S.
266:steal
205:as a
166:Teams
100:Right
73:Died:
53:Born:
911:2014
885:2014
860:2014
828:ISBN
677:2014
646:2014
508:and
260:and
240:and
137:.255
94:Left
316:in
157:243
1074::
1004:^
982:^
949:^
901:.
868:^
843:^
812:^
802:.
775:^
757:^
731:^
667:.
654:^
636:.
605:^
504:,
236:,
232:,
147:13
913:.
887:.
862:.
836:.
679:.
648:.
60:)
56:(
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