Books and articles about Earle Combs

A husky six-footer, the quiet leadoff man of the powerful 1927 Yankees covered Yankee Stadium's spacious center field, leading the league's centerfielders in putouts. Combs's specialty was the three-base hit; he had three in a 1927 game, led the AL in triples three times, and collected 154 in his career.

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A cool, determined player, Combs was often overshadowed by his superstar teammates, but in nine seasons, he batted well over .300. In 1927 he hit .356, leading the AL with 231 hits (a team record until Don Mattingly broke it in 1986). He had a 29-game hitting streak in 1931.

The Kentucky Colonel's career came to an end in 1934 when, before the advent of warning tracks, he smashed into the wall at Sportsman's Park chasing a fly ball. His skull was fractured and his career virtually ended. After trying a comeback in 1935, and knowing that the Yankees would bring Joe DiMaggio up the next season, he accepted a coaching job. When DiMaggio arrived, Combs instructed him on the nuances of Yankee Stadium's outfield.

Combs left the Yankees during WWII. A good teacher, he returned to coach the Browns, Red Sox, and Phillies. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1970 by the Veterans Committee. (JK)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » May 1, 1924: Yankee rookie Earle Combs breaks his leg and will be out most of the year. » October 10, 1926: On a drizzling New York afternoon, only 38,093 show up at the Stadium for the deciding World Series contest. Grover Alexander, possibly sleeping off a hangover in the bullpen, barely notices when Jess Haines take a 3–2 lead over Waite Hoyt into the 7th. Haines weakens in the last of the 7th; three walks put Earle Combs, Bob Meusel, and Lou Gehrig on base with two out and Tony Lazzeri at the plate. Hornsby then waves in Alexander. On a 1-1 count Lazzeri hits a line drive into the left-field seats, a few feet to the foul side of the pole, then swings and misses for strike 3. Alexander sets the Yanks down in order until Babe Ruth draws his 11th walk with two out in the 9th, and is thrown out, inexplicably trying to steal 2B. The Cards and St. Louis have their first World Championship. Each winner collects $5,584.51, the losers, $3,417.75. » October 8, 1927: Down 3-0, the Pirates give the ball to their biggest winner, Carmen Hill (22-11). In the 5th, Ruth's 2nd HR of the Series scores Earle Combs ahead of him for a 3-1 lead. The Pirates tie it in the 7th. In the last of the 9th, Combs walks, Mark Koenig beats out a bunt, and Ruth walks to fill the bases. Reliever Johnny Miljus strikes out Lou Gehrig and Bob Meusel. With 2 strikes on Tony Lazzeri, a wild pitch rolls far enough away for Combs to score the winning run. The Bronx Bombers are World Champions in 4 straight. Ruth's .400 is good for 7 RBI; Lloyd Waner's .400 tops the Bucs. » October 9, 1928: After a rainout, Waite Hoyt and Bill Sherdel are back on the mound for game 4. After 6 innings, the Cards hold a 2-1 lead. With one out in the 7th, Ruth hits a HR, his 2nd of the game, and Gehrig follows suit. When Meusel singles, in comes Alexander to face Tony Lazzeri. Lazzeri doubles and later scores the 4th run of the inning. In the 8th, Cedric Durst, subbing for Earle Combs, hits one out of the park, and Ruth follows with his 3rd HR of the game. Final score is 7-3 and the Yanks sweep their 2nd straight WS. Ruth's World Series BA of .625 is still unmatched; with Gehrig's .545 and a record 9 RBI, they also set individual and team offensive records for hits, HRs, total bases, and at bats in a game. » May 31, 1931: Yankee Earle Combs' hitting streak ends at 29, although the Yankees beat Washington, 4–2, in a rain-shortened 7-inning game. » July 24, 1934: Yankee CF Earle Combs crashes into the wall at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis and suffers a fractured skull. New York calls up George Selkirk but learns he broke his arm the same day playing for Newark. » August 25, 1935: Earle Combs of the Yankees collides with teammate Red Rolfe on a fly ball and suffers a severe shoulder injury. It will contribute to his decision to retire at the end of the season. » February 1, 1970: The Hall of Fame Special Committee on Veterans selects former commissioner Ford Frick and former players Earle Combs and Jesse Haines for enshrinement. » July 27, 1970: The Expos beat the White Sox 10–6 in the annual Hall of Fame game, following the induction ceremonies for Lou Boudreau, Earle Combs, Ford Frick, and Jesse Haines. » October 2, 1986: Don Mattingly sets a Yankees record with his 232nd hit of the season in a 6–1 win over the Red Sox, eclipsing the mark set by Earle Combs in 1927. Mattingly will finish the season with 238 hits and a .352 batting average.