Three of the best pitchers in the league this year are relatively
unknown. Bill Walker had a terrific start to his career; this was his
second ERA title in three years. He struggled the next two years, then
pitched well in a limited role for the Cardinals in the their championship years
in 1934 and 1935. Heine Meine was 35 years old, and had his first full
year as a starter. It was a great year, and he followed it up with a couple
of decent ones before dropping out of the league. Meine was nicknamed
"The Count Of Luxemburg", though he was born and died in St. Louis.
The BBWAA held its first MVP vote this year; Ed Brandt
led all pitchers in the voting. He had an impressive season, winning 18 games
for a Boston Braves team that had a dreadful offense. Unfortunately for Brandt,
he spent most of his 11-year career with the Braves, who almost always had
a terrible team. Brandt was a solid pitcher, but finished his career losing
quite a few more games than he won.
The champion Cardinals had a fine pitching
staff; surprisingly, the staff would be overhauled before their next
championship in 1934, when they were known as The Gashouse Gang. Paul Derringer,
who had a fine rookie season, was dealt to Cincinnati and had a fine career
there. Burleigh Grimes was 38 years old, and retired a couple of years
later. Wild Bill Hallahan lost his fastball. The Cardinals' future would arrive on the scene next season,
in the form of Dizzy Dean (and later, his brother Daffy).
I think Walker was clearly the league's best
pitcher, leading the NL in ERA and shutouts. He won only 16 games, but there
were no big winners this year. He would be followed by Meine and Brandt,
and then Fat Freddie Fitzsimmons, who had another fine season for the
Giants.
