The 1948 Indians, with Ken Keltner, Lou Boudreau, and Joe Gordon, had an all-100 RBIs infield.
Nineteen forty eight is the last time the Cleveland Indians were World Champions. They finished the season tied with the Red Sox for the pennant and beat Boston to win the American League pennant. The Indians continued their Boston onslaught by beating the Braves in the World Series.
Keltner, Boudreau and Gordon Each Had at Least 100 RBIs
The 1948 Indians were an outstanding team that had three players with at least 100 RBIs, which is not too rare, but something was unusual. The three Cleveland players who had 100 RBIs were Kenny Keltner, Lou Boudreau and Joe Gordon. What is unique is that Keltner played third, Boudreau was the shortstop, and Gordon played second. First baseman Eddie Robinson chipped in with 83 RBIs.
Lajoie, Wagner, and Hornsby Were Slugging Infielders
There have been many run-producing infielders.Nap Lajoie was the greatest second baseman in American League history. In 1901, Lajoie won the Triple Crown, hitting .426 with 14 home runs and 125 RBIs, but he never was part of a second base, third base, shortstop trio that all had at least 100 RBIs in the same season. Lajoie's comtemporary, Honus Wagner, was the greatest shortstop in baseball history. He had at least 100 RBIs in nine seasons, some of which were before 1900, but each time, Wagner was the only player on his team with at least 100 RBIs. Rogers Hornsby was the greatest second baseman and the greatest right handed hitter in baseball history. He was even better than Lajoie. Hornsby had a .358 lifetime average and knocked in at least 100 runs five times, but his third baseman and shortstop never had a 100 RBIs the same season.
Morgan Had 100 RBIs Only Once
Joe Morgan is a modern player who was an outstanding second baseman for the great Cincinnati teams of the Pete Rose era. Amazingly, Morgan had at least 100 RBIs only in 1976. The Cincinnati teams of the 1970s were referred to as the Big Red Machine, but ithey never had three infielders with 100 RBIs in the same season.
Lazzeri Had Power
The Yankees of the Babe Ruth era had Hall of Famer Tony Lazzeri at second, and Lazzeri could hit. Few know that in 1927, when Ruth hit more home runs than any TEAM in the league, and Lou Gehrig hit 47 home runs, Lazzeri finished third with 18 home runs. That season, Gehrig had 175 RBIs, Ruth had 164 RBIs, and Lazzeri had 102 RBIs, but shortstop Mark Koenig had only 62 RBIs while third baseman Joe Dugan managed 43 RBIs.
Joe Gordon Won the MVP With the Yankees
Joe Gordon was the Yankee who replaced Tony Lazzeri at second base. In 1942, he was the American League Most Valuable Player, hitting .322 with 18 home runs and 103 RBIs. Gordon missed two seasons when he was in the army and when he returned in 1946, he batted only .210. The Yankees traded him to the Indians for a diabetic right handed fire balling Indian, who really was an Indian, named Allie Reynolds. In 1948, Gordon had an outstanding season, hitting .280 with 32 home runs and 124 RBIs.
Keltner Had a Great Playoff Game
Kenny Keltner was recognized as the Indians' greatest third baseman. He played eleven seasons but is remembered by most as being instrumental in helping to end Joe DiMaggio's hitting streak after fifty six games. Keltner made two great plays, robbing DiMaggio of a hit each time, but in 1948, Keltner hit .297 with 31 home runs and 119 RBIs. In the playoff game against Boston, the FIRST playoff game in American League history, Keltner hit a single, double, and a three run home run.
Boudreau Was a Playing Manager
The 1948 Indians' manager was their shortstop. Once upon a time, long ago, some teams had a playing manager. Lou Boudreau replaced Oscar Vitt as Indians manager in 1942. He was 24 years old. Boudreau had limited range but he was smart, had sure hands, and knew how to play the hitters.
The Indians' manager won the batting title in 1944 with a .327 average, but that was nothing compared to what he did in 1948. Boudreau had one of the great seasons of all time. Not only did he manage his team to the World Championship---he hit .355 with 18 home runs and 106 RBIs and he was named the American League MVP. In the playoff game against the Red Sox, he did even better than Keltner. Boudreau went four for four with two home runs.
References:
- Baseball-Reference
- 1948 Cleveland Indians
- Joe Gordon at Baseball Library
- Ken Keltner at Baseball Library
- Lou Boudreau at Baseball Library
