Books and articles about Jeff Heath

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RELATED LINKS Book Excerpts » "I remember one time feeling [Heath's] muscle and telling him he was as strong as a bull and thinking to myself, 'And damn near as smart,'": Bert Shepard Submissions » The Top 100 Greatest Indians Ask The Experts » Was George Brett the only player to have 20 doubles, triples, and homers in one season? Around the Web » Jeff Heath from baseball-reference.com » Neyer: Interview with Fred Willard from espn.com Jump directly to Library content from any website!

Heath twice led the AL in triples, and averaged 18 HR and over 81 RBI in ten seasons as a regular. He hit a career-high .343 in 1938, his first year as Cleveland's everyday left fielder. In Bob Feller's 1940 Opening Day no-hitter, Heath scored the game's only run. In 1947 with the Browns he hit career highs of 27 HR and 87 RBI. Bought by the 1948 pennant-bound Boston Braves, Heath responded with a .319 average and 20 HR, but in the final week of the season, he broke his leg sliding and missed the WS against the Indians. Heath remains among Cleveland's top ten in triples, HR, and slugging percentage. (GEB)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » June 25, 1939: Cleveland batters Ben Chapman, Hal Trosky, and Jeff Heath homer in the seventh inning to tie a major-league record, while beating Philadelphia 8-4. » August 28, 1939: Cleveland OF Jeff Heath punches a taunting fan leaning over the railing, but the umpires miss the incident and he goes unpunished. » August 26, 1948: The Cubs sweep two from the Braves, 5–1 and 5–2, despite a near-riot that holds up play for 20 minutes in the nitecap. The reaction by the fans comes when Jocko Conlan rules that a drive by Phil Cavarretta in the 3rd inning is a ground-rule double, not an inside the park homer. Conlan makes his call after Braves LF Jeff Heath "loses" the ball in the Wrigley vines, though it is really by his feet. The fans shower the field in protest and Conlan bawls out some of Chicago's finest for not taking any action. When play is resumed, Andy Pafko walks and Peanut Lowrey's hits a bases-loaded triple. » September 23, 1948: The Braves clinch the NL flag by defeating the Giants 3-2. They will finish 61Ž2 games ahead of the Dodgers. Two days before the season is over the Braves will lose their best hitter, OF Jeff Heath, who breaks an ankle sliding home against Brooklyn.