The versatile Adams spent 1923 and 1924 as the Cubs' semi-regular shortstop, but
came into his own when he was switched to second base for 1925 after second baseman
George Grantham was traded to Pittsburgh for shortstop Rabbit Maranville. Adams led
NL 2B in putouts, assists, total chances per game, and fielding average at his new
position. Playing regularly, he led the league in at-bats for the first of three
straight seasons and finished third in steals with 26, scoring 95 runs while batting
.287. The leadoff batter improved to .309 in 1926, again scoring 95 runs, and finished
second in steals (27) and third in hits. In 1927 he was moved around the infield
more, playing 60 games at second base, 53 at third base, and 40 at shortstop. He
scored a career-high 100 runs, finished fourth in the league in steals with 26, and
hit .292. NL champion Pittsburgh sent Kiki Cuyler, who had fallen into disfavor with
management, to the Cubs for Adams and Pete Scott in 1927. Adams once again replaced
Grantham at second base as Grantham moved to first.
Adams's average fell off over
the next two seasons, and in 1929 he was used in a utility role. After the season
he was sold to the Cardinals. Used at third base, he helped St. Louis to two straight
pennants, leading NL third basemen in fielding both seasons and in double plays in
1931. In the notorious rabbit-ball season of 1930, when the league batting average
was .303, all eight Cardinal regulars (300-plus at-bats) hit .300, the only time
in history that has happened. Adams contributed a career-high .314. In St. Louis's
1931 World Championship year, he led the league with 46 doubles and tied with teammate
Pepper Martin for third in steals with 16. Another member of the Gas House Gang,
Frankie Frisch, finished first with 28 and the Cardinals led the league in stolen
bases.
In 1932 a knee injury kept Adams out for most of the year. In early May
1933 he went to the Reds along with Paul Derringer and Allyn Stout for Leo Durocher,
Dutch Henry, and Jack Ogden in the deal that completed the cast of characters in
the classic Gas House Gang. In Cincinnati Adams joined George Grantham again. But
Adams's knee injury had deprived him of his speed, and although he was a regular
for a year and a half, his average dropped off and his major league career ended.
(SFS)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»September 16, 1923: The Cubs lose 10–6 to the Giants in Chicago, despite the hitting of Hack Miller who collects three doubles and a triple. A riot occurs in the 8th inning when umpire Charlie Moran makes an out call at 2B on Sparky Adams, Moran is pelted by hundreds of pop bottles. Judge Landis, in attendance at the game, shakes his cane at the angry mob, and play is held up for 15 minutes. John McGraw and the umpires need a police escort at the conclusion.
»May 21, 1925:
In Brooklyn, Hack Miller pinch-hits in the top of the 9th and triples home Sparky Adams with the Cubs 4th run. But Brooklyn still wins 5–4. It is Miller's last appearance for the Cubs, who will release him on the 24th and he will sign with the Oakland Oaks.
»May 23, 1926: Hack Wilson smacks a 5th inning home run, a rare blast off the Wrigley Field scoreboard, situated at ground level, to start a route of the Braves. The Cubs score seven runs in the 8th inning to win 14–8. Sparky Adams contributes four hits for Chicago. Later that night, Wilson and a few others are arrested at a friend's apartment for drinking beer in violation of the Prohibition Act. The scoreboard will be moved to the left field corner in 1937, before one will be built atop the newly built bleachers.
»May 14, 1927:
Cubs pitcher Guy Bush must feel his name as he and Braves starter Charlie Robertson battle for 18 innings before Robertson tires and the Cubs win 7–2. Jimmy Cooney drives in the winning run and Sparky Adams contributes four hits. Bush goes 18 innings and Robertson 17 1/3. Two National League pitchers -- Carl Hubbell in 1933 and Vern Law in 1955 -- will match Bush's marathon effort.
»November 28, 1927:
The Pirates trade OF Kiki Cuyler to the Cubs for 2B Sparky Adams and OF Pete Scott. Cuyler had become expendable after rookie Lloyd Waner became a starter, but will be a great addition to the Cubs. Adams will have two seasons in Pittsburgh before going to the Cards.
»June 30, 1931:
The New York Giants' Ethan Allen pinch-hits a grand slam off the Cubs' Pat Malone to tie the game, but Chicago scores again to win at the Polo Grounds 11-10. Sparky Adams also homers in the game, his first since 1925. He had been to bat 3,104 times without a HR.
»September 20, 1931:
Before a game with Brooklyn, Sparky Adams, Cards 3B, injures his ankle. He can see only limited action in the World Series, leaving a chance for Andy High to shine as his substitute. Gabby Street, 48-year-old Cardinal manager, catches the last three innings of the 6–1 win against the Robins. Street, who last played in 1912, throws out Babe Herman, the only Brooklyn runner who tries to steal. Street is 0-for-1 at the plate.
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