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Sewell, Joe

Joseph Wheeler Sewell
Born: October 9, 1898, Titus, Alabama
Died: March 6, 1990, Mobile, Alabama
Bats: 
Left
Throws: 
Right
Played For: 
Cleveland Indians (1920-1930), New York Yankees (1931-1933)
Elected to the Hall of Fame by Veterans Committee: 1977
Biography: 

The toughest batter in history to strike out, with just 114 strikeouts in 7,132 at-bats, Joe Sewell was a perennial .300 hitter over 14 seasons with the Yankees and Indians. In 1920, Cleveland summoned Sewell from the Minors to replace the late Ray Chapman at shortstop, and the rookie batted .329 down the stretch to lead the Indians to the pennant. A great contact hitter, his career rate of one strikeout for every 63 at-bats is by far the best in history, and his three strikeouts in 1932 are the fewest ever for a full season.

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HOFers who reached their 90th birthday (pdf)

Induction Speech

Did You Know: 
that Joe Sewell held the record for most consecutive games played (1,103) until Lou Gehrig bested the mark en route to his celebrated streak of 2,130 straight games played?
When I was a boy I'd walk around with a pocket full of rocks or a Coca Cola top and I can't remember not being able to hit them with a broomstick handle.