1. Overview
Jonathan Thompson Walton Zachary (May 7, 1896 - January 24, 1969), commonly known as Tom Zachary, was an American professional baseball pitcher who played for 19 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). A left-handed pitcher, he began his career with the Washington Senators, contributing to their 1924 World Series championship. Zachary is particularly remembered for surrendering Babe Ruth's historic 60th home run in 1927, an event that became a notable part of baseball lore. The following season, he became Ruth's teammate on the New York Yankees, with whom he won his second World Series in 1928. Throughout his career, he also played for the Philadelphia A's, St. Louis Browns, Boston Braves, Brooklyn Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies.
2. Early Life
Tom Zachary's early life was rooted in a Quaker farming community, where he developed his foundational skills and began his baseball journey before making his mark in the professional leagues.
2.1. Birth and Childhood
Tom Zachary was born on May 7, 1896, in Saxapahaw, North Carolina, a village located near Graham, North Carolina. He grew up in a family of Quaker farmers, being the seventh of eleven children born to Alfred L. Zachary and Mary Elvira Guthrie Zachary.
2.2. Education
Zachary attended Guilford College, where he was a prominent member of the baseball team, playing both as a pitcher and an outfielder. He also served as the team captain. A particularly notable game during his collegiate career occurred on April 16, 1918, when he pitched against North Carolina State College's ace and future major leaguer George Murray. The game ended in a 0-0 tie after sixteen innings, with Murray recording 20 strikeouts and Zachary tallying 14.
2.3. Military Service and Early Baseball Career
In the summer of 1918, Zachary joined the American Red Cross and was assigned to duty in Europe during World War I. Before deploying, he had a tryout with the Philadelphia Athletics under manager Connie Mack. During this tryout, he pitched in two games, winning both, using the pseudonym Zachary Walton to maintain his amateur status. After spending a year in Europe, Zachary attempted to rejoin the Athletics but was not offered a contract. In the summer of 1919, Zachary contacted and tried out for Clark Griffith, the manager of the Washington Senators. He was subsequently signed directly to a Major League Baseball contract, a rare feat that allowed him to bypass playing in the minor leagues. In his inaugural season with the Senators, he appeared in 17 games, starting 7, and finished with a 1-5 record and a 2.92 ERA.
3. Major League Baseball Career
Tom Zachary's Major League Baseball career spanned 19 seasons, marked by two World Series championships and a notable encounter with one of baseball's greatest legends.
3.1. Washington Senators and the 1924 World Series
In 1924, Zachary had a strong season, posting a 15-9 record with a 2.75 ERA over 202.2 innings pitched. His performance was instrumental in helping the Senators reach the 1924 World Series, where they faced John McGraw's New York Giants. As the Senators' number-two starter, behind the legendary Walter Johnson, Zachary started Games 2 and 6 of the Series, winning both. His crucial victory in Game 6 forced a decisive Game 7, which the Senators ultimately won, with Walter Johnson on the mound, securing the franchise's first World Series championship.
3.2. Trades and Key Career Events
In February 1926, Zachary was traded to the St. Louis Browns. He remained with the Browns until midway through the 1927 season when he was traded back to the Senators. On September 30, 1927, Zachary faced Babe Ruth and surrendered Ruth's record-setting 60th home run of the season. The ball barely cleared the right field foul pole, leading Zachary to initially suspect it was foul. Despite this historic moment, there was no animosity between the two players; in fact, Zachary and Ruth would become teammates and friends when the New York Yankees claimed Zachary off waivers the following season.
3.3. New York Yankees and the 1928 World Series
Pitching for the Yankees, Zachary started and won Game 3 of the 1928 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Yankees went on to sweep the Series in four games, earning Zachary his second World Series title. In 1929, Zachary achieved an impressive 12-0 record with a 2.48 ERA. This outstanding performance led to The Sporting News declaring him "A.L. Pitcher of the Year" due to his exceptionally low ERA. However, by modern standards, he did not pitch enough innings to qualify for the official ERA title, which is now recognized as belonging to Lefty Grove for that season.
3.4. Later Career
In May 1930, Zachary was claimed off waivers by the Boston Braves. He spent three full seasons with the Braves before being signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1934. With the Dodgers, under manager Casey Stengel, he appeared in 48 games, compiling a 12-18 record. Zachary concluded his Major League Baseball career in 1936 after a brief stint with the Philadelphia Phillies.
3.5. Career Statistics
Throughout his 19-season Major League Baseball career, Tom Zachary accumulated the following statistics:
| Games Played | Innings Pitched | Wins | Losses | Complete Games | Shutouts | Earned Run Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 533 | 3126.1 | 186 | 191 | 185 | 24 | 3.73 |
4. Pitching Style and Hitting Ability
Tom Zachary was known for a pitching style that prioritized control and deception over raw velocity, complemented by a surprising proficiency at the plate.
Zachary was primarily recognized as a control pitcher, relying on pinpoint accuracy and strategic deception rather than overpowering fastballs. His primary pitches included a fastball, curveball, and knuckleball, and he also incorporated a variety of other offspeed pitches into his repertoire. He frequently varied his pitching pace and would often "slop" the ball at slower speeds to tempt opposing batters into swinging prematurely. Furthermore, Zachary was noted for his exceptional composure on the mound, rarely showing signs of agitation even when facing challenging situations with runners on base.
Beyond his pitching, Zachary was a very capable hitting pitcher. He maintained a career batting average of .226, accumulating 254 hits in 1122 at-bats. He also recorded 79 runs, 6 home runs, 112 RBI, and drew 62 bases on balls. In 1926, he achieved a career-high 14 RBI, and in 1928, he posted his career-best batting average of .306 (22 hits in 72 at-bats).
5. Life After Baseball
After retiring from professional baseball, Tom Zachary returned to his roots in North Carolina and engaged in farming. He specifically farmed tobacco. Zachary maintained a connection to baseball, notably attending the ceremony at Yankee Stadium on June 13, 1948, when Babe Ruth's number 3 was officially retired.
6. Death
Tom Zachary died on January 24, 1969, at the age of 72. His death followed a series of strokes. He was survived by his wife, Etta, whom he had married in 1931, and their two children.
7. Legacy and Evaluation
Tom Zachary's legacy in baseball is marked by his consistent performance as a pitcher and his unique connection to one of the sport's most iconic moments. Although Lefty Grove is now recognized as the official ERA champion for 1929 by modern standards, Zachary's 12-0 record and 2.48 ERA that year led The Sporting News to declare him "A.L. Pitcher of the Year," highlighting his exceptional season. His place in baseball history is solidified by his two World Series championships, particularly his crucial role in the Washington Senators' 1924 victory, and his indelible association with surrendering Babe Ruth's 60th home run in 1927, a moment that remains a significant milestone in baseball lore.