1. Overview
Carl Owen Hubbell (June 22, 1903 - November 21, 1988), affectionately known as "the Meal Ticket" and "King Carl," was an influential American Major League Baseball pitcher renowned for his distinctive screwball pitch. He spent his entire MLB career with the New York Giants from 1928 to 1943. Hubbell was a two-time recipient of the National League Most Valuable Player award and is celebrated for setting a major league record of 24 consecutive wins between the 1936 and 1937 seasons. He is particularly remembered for his legendary performance in the 1934 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, where he famously struck out five future Hall of Famers in a row: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin. His significant contributions to baseball were formally recognized with his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1947.
2. Early Life
Carl Hubbell was born in Carthage, Missouri, on June 22, 1903, one of seven children to Margaret Dell (née Upp) and George Owen Hubbell. He spent his formative years in Meeker, Oklahoma, where he attended Meeker High School. After completing his high school education, Hubbell began working for an oil company. He also played for the company's baseball team, an experience that encouraged him to pursue a professional baseball career.
3. Professional Baseball Career
Carl Hubbell's professional baseball journey began in the minor leagues, where he developed his unique pitching style. He then ascended to the major leagues, spending his entire career with the New York Giants, achieving numerous accolades and solidifying his status as one of the game's greatest pitchers. After retiring as a player, he continued to contribute to baseball in developmental and scouting roles.
3.1. Minor League Career
Hubbell's professional baseball career commenced in 1923, playing in the Oklahoma State League. By 1925, pitching for the Oklahoma City Indians of the Western League, he achieved a 17-13 record, largely attributed to his developing screwball pitch. This performance led to him being signed by the Detroit Tigers and invited to their spring training in 1926. However, Tigers pitching coach George McBride and player-manager Ty Cobb expressed concerns about the screwball causing potential arm injuries and instructed Hubbell to abandon the pitch. Without his signature offering, Hubbell struggled, proving ineffective for the remainder of spring training.
Subsequently, he was sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the International League before the 1926 season began, where he was explicitly forbidden from throwing the screwball. His performance suffered, recording a mediocre 7-7 record on a championship-winning team. After the 1927 spring training, he was demoted to the Decatur Commodores of the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League. Despite achieving a 14-7 record there, the Tigers did not re-invite him for the 1928 season, instead sending him to the Beaumont Exporters of the Texas League. Frustrated by these experiences, Hubbell reportedly told Beaumont manager Claude Robinson that he would retire and enter the oil business unless he was traded to another organization by the end of the season. Years later, Hubbell reflected that being released by the Tigers was ultimately the best thing that ever happened to his career. His opportunity came in June of that year when New York Giants scout Dick Kinsella, who was in Houston for the 1928 Democratic National Convention, decided to attend a game between Hubbell's Exporters and the Houston Buffs. Kinsella was greatly impressed by Hubbell's pitching. He contacted Giants manager John McGraw, informing him of Hubbell's release by Detroit due to concerns over the screwball. McGraw, recalling that Giants legend Christy Mathewson had a similar pitch (then called a "fadeaway") without arm issues, was receptive. Kinsella continued to scout Hubbell for a month, remaining impressed by his abilities, leading to the Giants acquiring him.
3.2. Major League Career (New York Giants)
Carl Hubbell's Major League career was entirely spent with the New York Giants, where he pitched for 16 seasons. He became a dominant force, particularly noted for his unique pitching style and consistent performance, which led to numerous individual accolades and team successes, including a World Series championship.
3.2.1. Pitching Style and Notable Games
Hubbell's primary weapon on the mound was his screwball, a pitch known for its distinctive movement, sinking away from left-handed hitters and towards right-handed hitters. He delivered this pitch with a slow, deliberate motion, making it even more deceptive. His mastery of the screwball earned him the moniker "King Carl" and was central to his success.
Among his most legendary performances was his outing in the 1934 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, held at the Polo Grounds in New York. In one of baseball's most iconic moments, Hubbell achieved the rare feat of striking out five consecutive batters, all of whom were future Hall of Famers from the American League: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin. This remarkable display cemented his place in baseball lore. The idea for the All-Star Game itself is often attributed to a letter from a young fan who wished to see a matchup between Hubbell, a dominant National League pitcher, and Babe Ruth, a formidable American League slugger, addressed to the commissioner. Fifty years after this historic performance, in 1984, Hubbell was present at the 1984 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at San Francisco's Candlestick Park to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, a screwball, commemorating the event.
Hubbell also pitched a no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 8, 1929, leading the Giants to an 11-0 victory. Another monumental effort was his 18-inning shutout performance against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 2, 1933, which the Giants won by a score of 1-0.
3.2.2. Awards and Records
Carl Hubbell's career was marked by numerous awards and significant records:
- He was a two-time National League MVP, first in 1933 and again in 1936. His 1936 MVP selection was the first unanimous vote in National League history.
- Hubbell led the National League in wins three times: with 23 in 1933, 26 in 1936, and 22 in 1937.
- He also led the league in ERA three times: 1.66 in 1933, 2.30 in 1934, and 2.31 in 1936.
- In 1933, he led the league in innings pitched with 308.67 innings.
- He led the league in strikeouts in 1937 with 159.
- In 1938, he led the league in strikeouts per 9 innings pitched with 5.23.
- He led the league in shutouts in 1933 with 10.
- In 1934, he was retroactively credited with leading the league in saves with eight.
- He recorded a remarkable 46.33 consecutive scoreless innings streak in 1933, which included four shutouts.
- Hubbell holds the major league record for the longest consecutive win streak by a pitcher, securing 24 consecutive decisions between 1936 (16 wins) and 1937 (8 wins). This streak began on July 17, 1936, against the Pittsburgh Pirates and concluded on May 27, 1937, against the Cincinnati Reds.
His consistency was further demonstrated by achieving 15 consecutive seasons with double-digit wins. In a 1936 cover story for Time magazine, which focused on 1936 World Series rivals Hubbell and Lou Gehrig, Hubbell was praised as "currently baseball's No. 1 Pitcher and among the half dozen ablest in the game's annals." The article also noted his childhood dedication, stating he "practiced for hours...throwing stones at a barn door until he could unfailingly hit knotholes no bigger than a dime" while growing up on his family's Missouri farm.
Below is a detailed overview of Carl Hubbell's annual pitching statistics:
| Year | Games | Starts | Complete Games | Shutouts | Wins | Losses | Innings Pitched | Hits | Home Runs | Walks | Strikeouts | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1928 | 20 | 14 | 8 | 1 | 10 | 6 | 124 | 117 | 7 | 21 | 37 | 2.83 |
| 1929 | 39 | 35 | 19 | 1 | 18 | 11 | 268 | 273 | 17 | 67 | 106 | 3.69 |
| 1930 | 37 | 32 | 17 | 3 | 17 | 12 | 241.67 | 263 | 11 | 58 | 117 | 3.87 |
| 1931 | 36 | 30 | 21 | 4 | 14 | 12 | 248 | 211 | 14 | 67 | 155 | 2.65 |
| 1932 | 40 | 32 | 22 | 0 | 18 | 11 | 284 | 260 | 20 | 40 | 137 | 2.50 |
| 1933 | 45 | 33 | 22 | 10 | 23 | 12 | 308.67 | 256 | 6 | 47 | 156 | 1.66 |
| 1934 | 49 | 35 | 25 | 5 | 21 | 12 | 313 | 286 | 17 | 37 | 118 | 2.30 |
| 1935 | 42 | 35 | 24 | 1 | 23 | 12 | 302.67 | 314 | 27 | 49 | 150 | 3.27 |
| 1936 | 42 | 34 | 25 | 3 | 26 | 6 | 304 | 265 | 7 | 57 | 123 | 2.31 |
| 1937 | 39 | 32 | 18 | 4 | 22 | 8 | 261.67 | 261 | 18 | 55 | 159 | 3.20 |
| 1938 | 24 | 22 | 13 | 1 | 13 | 10 | 179 | 171 | 16 | 33 | 104 | 3.07 |
| 1939 | 29 | 18 | 10 | 0 | 11 | 9 | 154 | 150 | 11 | 24 | 62 | 2.75 |
| 1940 | 31 | 28 | 11 | 2 | 11 | 12 | 214.33 | 220 | 22 | 59 | 86 | 3.65 |
| 1941 | 26 | 22 | 11 | 1 | 11 | 9 | 164 | 169 | 10 | 53 | 75 | 3.57 |
| 1942 | 24 | 20 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 8 | 157.33 | 158 | 17 | 34 | 61 | 3.95 |
| 1943 | 12 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 66 | 87 | 7 | 24 | 31 | 4.91 |
| Career Totals: 16 Years | ||||||||||||
| 535 Games, 433 Starts, 260 Complete Games, 36 Shutouts, 253 Wins, 154 Losses, 3590.33 Innings Pitched, 3461 Hits, 227 Home Runs, 725 Walks, 1677 Strikeouts, 2.98 ERA | ||||||||||||
As a hitter, Hubbell maintained a .191 batting average (246 hits in 1,288 at-bats), scoring 95 runs, hitting 30 doubles and 4 home runs, driving in 101 RBI, and drawing 33 walks. In his six World Series appearances, he batted .211 (4-for-19) with 1 run and 1 RBI. Defensively, he recorded a .967 fielding percentage.
3.3. Post-Playing Career
Upon his release from active play at the end of the 1943 season, where he had recorded a 4-4 record, the only time he did not achieve double-digit wins in his career, Giants owner Horace Stoneham immediately appointed Carl Hubbell as the team's director of player development. He held this important position for 35 years, shaping the future talent of the Giants organization. During this period, Hubbell resided in Haworth, New Jersey, continuing to live there even after the Giants relocated from New York to San Francisco. For the last decade of his life, he served as a scout for the Giants, remaining involved with the sport he loved. At the time of his death, Hubbell was one of the last remaining players from the John McGraw era to still be active in some capacity within baseball, and one of the last New York Giants to retain an official role with the franchise.
4. Personal Life
Carl Hubbell was married to Lucille "Sue" Harrington (1905-1967) from 1930 until her death in 1967. They had two sons, Carl Jr., born in 1936, and James. Carl Jr. had a brief career in the lower minor leagues before becoming a career officer in the United States Marine Corps.
5. Death
Carl Hubbell's life concluded tragically on November 21, 1988. On November 19, 1988, while driving near his home in Mesa, Arizona, he suffered a stroke. This medical emergency caused him to lose control of his vehicle, resulting in a crash into a lamppost. He was immediately transported to a hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he succumbed to blunt force injuries two days later. He was 85 years old at the time of his death. Hubbell is interred at Meeker-Newhope Cemetery in his childhood town of Meeker, Oklahoma. His death occurred exactly 30 years after that of his former teammate Mel Ott, who also died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
6. Legacy and Honors
Carl Hubbell left an indelible mark on the sport of baseball, earning numerous accolades and maintaining a lasting presence in its history. His legacy is celebrated through his induction into the Hall of Fame, the retirement of his jersey number, and various other recognitions.
6.1. Baseball Hall of Fame
Carl Hubbell was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1947, a testament to his exceptional pitching career and significant impact on the game. His enshrinement solidified his place among baseball's all-time greats.
6.2. Retired Number
In recognition of his distinguished career, Carl Hubbell's jersey number, 11, was retired by the Giants organization in 1944, just one year after his retirement as a player. This made him the first player in the National League to have his number officially retired. His number 11 is prominently displayed on the facing of the upper deck in the left field corner at Oracle Park, the Giants' current home stadium in San Francisco, serving as a permanent tribute to his enduring legacy. Historically, in the early days of jersey numbers in Major League Baseball, pitchers often preferred numbers like 11, a trend that later evolved to include hitters in American leagues and remains popular for pitchers in Asian leagues.
6.3. Other Honors and Cultural References
Hubbell was a highly decorated player, earning selection as an All-Star nine times throughout his career, from 1933 to 1938, and again from 1940 to 1942. In 1999, The Sporting News ranked him number 45 on its list of the "100 Greatest Baseball Players," further affirming his legendary status. He was also a nominee for the prestigious Major League Baseball All-Century Team, an honor recognizing the best players of the 20th century. In 1981, Hubbell received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement, a prestigious award honoring high achievers in various fields.
Beyond the baseball diamond, Carl Hubbell also made appearances in popular culture. He appeared as himself in the 1953 film Big Leaguer. Additionally, he was one of the notable baseball figures mentioned in "Line-Up for Yesterday", a famous poem by the celebrated American poet Ogden Nash, published in Sport magazine in January 1949:
U would be 'Ubbell
If Carl were a Cockney;
We say Hubbell and baseball
Like football and Rockne.