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.
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» Jack Tobin from thebaseballpage.com
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)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»September 14, 1921: Washington's Walter Johnson gives up three hits but still faces just 27 batters in edging the Browns 1–0. Following two singles in the 4th, George Sisler's line drive is turned into a triple play. Jack Tobin singles in the 7th, but Johnson picks him off. Tobin will set a American League record this year with 179 singles, a mark that Sam Rice will top in 1925.
»August 6, 1922: In St. Louis, Walter Johnson gives up the first grand slam of his career, a third inning shot by Jack Tobin, as the Browns top the Senators, 8–4. George Sisler is 2-for-2 against the Big Train, as Urban Shocker picks up the victory.
»February 1, 1926:
The Browns trade P Joe Bush and outfielder Jack Tobin to Washington for P Tom Zachary and Win Ballou, both of whom will be gone by July. Zachary will be back with the Senators next year in time to serve up Ruth's 60th home run.