Hughie Critz

Hughie Critz
Second baseman
Born:(1900-09-17)September 17, 1900 Starkville, Mississippi,U.S.
Died:January 10, 1980(1980-01-10)(aged 79) Greenwood, Mississippi,U.S.
Batted:Right Threw:Right
MLB debut
May 31, 1924, for the Cincinnati Reds
Last MLB appearance
September 18, 1935, for the New York Giants
MLB statistics
Batting average	.268
Home runs	38
Runs batted in	531
Teams
Cincinnati Reds(1924–1930) New York Giants(1930–1935)
Career highlights and awards
World Serieschampion (1933) Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame

Hugh Melville Critz(September 17, 1900 – January 10, 1980) was an Americansecond basemaninMajor League Baseballfor theCincinnati Redsin the 1920s and theNew York Giantsin the 1930s.

Career overview

Critz was born inStarkville, Mississippi,the oldest of three children.He attended college in his home town atMississippi State University,where his father, Professor ColonelHugh Critz Sr.,was a respected instructor and was appointed president of the university, then known as Mississippi A&M, in 1930.

Critz began playing in theCotton States League.He was 68 inches (170 cm) tall and weighed 150 pounds (68 kg); one New York writer described him as "one of the little fellers in baseball".In 1922, the Greenwood team in the Cotton States League sold him for $2,000 to Memphis, entering the minor leagues.

In May 1924, the second baseman of the Cincinnati Reds,Sam Bohne,was injured; the team reached out to theMinneapolis Millersand obtained Critz, then 23 years old, on May 29.Minneapolis in returned received pitcherBill Harris,along with 15,000 dollars, and two players to be named later.

In his first major league game, he had two hits off Hall-of-Fame pitcherGrover Cleveland Alexander,and went on to hit.322 in 102 games, with 19 stolen bases, as a rookie.

Through the 1920s, he was an extremely solid, speedy, good-hitting second baseman for many decent Reds teams although the team began to decline in the late 1920s, finishing seventh in the eight-teamNational Leaguein 1929 and 1930. In the Reds' best year with Critz on the team, 1926, they finished second in the league two games behind the championSt. Louis Cardinals.Alongside the Reds' success that year, he also batted.270, with 3 homers and 79 RBIs. He tied his career high for triples with 14 and had his next-best career high in RBIs with 79. He finished second inMVPvoting, behind onlyBob O'Farrell.

Although his speed numbers only decreased from his rookie season, when he stole 19 bases, he still averaged 11 stolen bases per season for his career. In 1929, he was named captain of the Reds during spring training.

In 1930, his career took a sudden turn when he was traded to the Giants for pitcherLarry Benton.With them, he won aWorld Series in 1933,had more quality years, and retired on September 27, 1935.

In a 12-season career, hebatted.268 with 38home runsand 531RBIsin 1478 games. He had 97 careerstolen bases,832runs scored,195doublesand 95triples,accumulating 1591hitsin 5930at bats.Defensively, he recorded a.974fielding percentageas a second baseman.

He made theCincinnati Reds Hall of Famein 1962, and died inGreenwood,Mississippi at age 79.

Critz was married to Mary Wiggs, with whom he had two children.

External links

• Career statistics and player information fromBaseball Reference,orBaseball Reference (Minors)