"The Arkansas Hummingbird" is another peak guy that we can fight over.

Useless trivia: he went 0-5 vs the last place Cincinnati Reds in '33. Sure, the Cubs only scored 5 runs total in those games, but I found that surprising. Lost a game to Paul "27 losses with an above average ERA" Derringer, 2-1. Not many guys can say they lost a game to Paul that year due to their run support.

Bill James did the article on Lon Warneke in the Neyer/James Pitchers guide for Warneke (lots of 30s pitchers in that guide).

Very nice peak from 1932-35, but was never the same after that. Cut his career a bit short because he was itching to become an umpire. Umped in the majors from 1949-58.

Any WWII credit for Warneke?

Using WARP, I really can't see a case for putting Warneke ahead of Ferrell. His career value is less than Ferrell's (needs two or three WWII credit seasons to pass him) and his peak is not as good; two 1st team all-star selections and a second vs 4 first-team selections for Ferrell plus two seconds. Win Shares will probably like Warneke better (make the comparison closer) because he played in front of good defenses his whole career (Cubs, Cardinals, almost always contenders during the 30's).

Lon Warneke.

He comes off looking good. MOWP-stuff helps him, unlike Bridges.

Warneke should definitely get some WWII credit - anyone know how much. All I've been able to find is this from the baseball library:

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/W/Warneke_Lon.stm

He no-hit the Reds on August 30, 1941. The next year, the Cubs paid $75,000 to get him back but soon lost him to military service.

He threw 99 innings in 1942 and 88.3 innings in 1943 - anyone know when he got the call? When he came back?

He threw 99 innings in 1942 and 88.3 innings in 1943 - anyone know when he got the call? When he came back?

According to the Neyer/James book mentioned above, Warneke didn't report for his Army physical until March 1944 (he wasn't a draft dodger - he just didn't get called until then). So he was not affected by the service until 1944, but missed the entire 1944 season. The book notes that the "got out of the Army in '45 and pitched a few more games."

He pitched nine games in 1945 - presumably towards the end of the year, but I don't know for sure. He was clearly in his decline phase by that time.

Who'da guessed that Lon Warneke and Hoyt Wilhelm's careers overlapped?