Tobin was a St. Louis native who began his major league career with his hometown
entry in the
Federal League. In 1915 he led the league with 625 at-bats and 184 hits.
He joined the Browns in 1916 after the Feds folded. A 5'8" 142-lb lefthanded batter,
he excelled at dragging a bunt for a base hit. He could also hit away with authority,
powering as many as 13 HR and averaging 32 doubles and 12 triples a year from 1920
through 1924. He hit two grand slams off
Walter Johnson.
Tobin had four straight
200-hit seasons and batted well over .300 each year from 1919 though '23. His career-high
.352 came in 1921, when he led the AL with 671 at-bats. He was the leadoff man for
the potent 1922 Browns, who finished one game behind the pennant-winning Yankees.
In 1922-23, he joined Ken Williams and Baby Doll Jacobson in a .300-hitting outfield.
He coached for the Browns from 1944 through 1948 and then scouted for them.
(JK)
Jack Tobin
