View source for Herb Pennock

{{Short description|American baseball player (1894–1948)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Herb Pennock
|image=Herb Pennock 1934.JPG
|caption= Pennock in 1934
|position=[[Pitcher]]
|bats=Switch
|throws=Left
|birth_date={{Birth date|1894|2|10}}
|birth_place=[[Kennett Square, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
|death_date={{death date and age|1948|1|30|1894|2|10}}
|death_place=[[Manhattan]], New York, U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=May 14
|debutyear=1912
|debutteam=Philadelphia Athletics
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=August 27
|finalyear=1934
|finalteam=Boston Red Sox
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
|stat1value=241–162
|stat2label=[[Earned run average]]
|stat2value=3.60
|stat3label=[[Strikeout]]s
|stat3value=1,227
|teams=
* [[Philadelphia Athletics]] ({{Baseball year|1912}}–{{Baseball year|1915}})
* [[Boston Red Sox]] ({{Baseball year|1915}}–{{Baseball year|1917}}, {{Baseball year|1919}}–{{Baseball year|1922}})
* [[New York Yankees]] ({{Baseball year|1923}}–{{Baseball year|1933}})
* [[Boston Red Sox]] ({{Baseball year|1934}})
|highlights=
* 6× [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|1913}}, {{wsy|1915}}, {{wsy|1923}}, {{wsy|1927}}, {{wsy|1928}}, {{wsy|1932}})
* [[Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame]]
|hoflink = National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
|hoftype = National
|hofdate=[[1948 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|1948]]
|hofvote=77.7% (eighth ballot)
}}
'''Herbert Jefferis Pennock''' (February 10, 1894 – January 30, 1948) was an American professional [[baseball]] [[pitcher]] and front-office executive. He played in [[Major League Baseball]] from 1912 through 1933, and is best known for his time spent with the star-studded [[New York Yankees|New York Yankee]] teams of the mid to late 1920s and early 1930s.

Pennock was signed by the [[Philadelphia Athletics]] in 1912, but was used sparingly by the Athletics and the [[Boston Red Sox]], who bought his contract in 1915. After returning from military service in 1919, Pennock became a regular contributor for the Red Sox. The Yankees acquired Pennock after the 1922 season, and he served as a key member of the pitching staff as the Yankees won four [[World Series]] championships. After retiring as a player, Pennock served as a [[coach (baseball)|coach]] and [[farm system]] director for the Red Sox, and as [[general manager (baseball)|general manager]] of the [[Philadelphia Phillies]].

Pennock was regarded as one of the greatest left-handed pitchers in baseball history. He died of a [[cerebral hemorrhage]] in 1948, and was inducted into the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame]] later that year.

==Early life==
Pennock was born on February 10, 1894, in [[Kennett Square, Pennsylvania]]. His father, Theodore Pennock, and mother, Mary Louise Pennock ([[Name at birth|née]] Sharp), were of [[Scotch-Irish American|Scotch-Irish]] and [[Quaker]] descent.<ref name=sabr/> His ancestors came to the United States with [[William Penn]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=imlIAAAAIBAJ&pg=4582,6721972&dq=herb-pennock&hl=en|title=Pennock Greatest in Huggins' Book&mdash;Big Winner for Yanks|first=Harry|last=Grayson|author-link=Harry Grayson|newspaper=The Evening Independent|page=12|date=June 28, 1943|access-date=September 12, 2013}}</ref> Herb was the youngest of four children.<ref name=sabr>{{cite web|url=http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/612bb457|title=Herb Pennock|publisher=[[Society for American Baseball Research]]|work=The Baseball Biography Project|first=Frank|last=Vaccaro|access-date=September 8, 2012}}</ref>

Pennock attended [[Westtown School]] and [[Cedarcroft#After Taylor|Cedarcroft Boarding School]], where he played for the baseball team. After struggling as a [[first baseman]], with weak offense and an inability to throw the ball straight, Pennock was converted by his Cedarcroft coach into a [[pitcher]].<ref name=sabr/>

==Professional baseball career==
===Philadelphia Athletics===
While pitching at Cedarcroft, Pennock threw a [[no-hitter]] to [[catcher]] [[Earle Mack]], the son of [[Connie Mack]], manager of the [[Philadelphia Athletics]], in 1910. Pennock agreed to sign with the Athletics at a later date.<ref>{{cite news| url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8UsbAAAAIBAJ&pg=2916,2722939&dq=herb-pennock+cedarcroft&hl=en| title=Oh Yeah!|newspaper= [[The Pittsburgh Press]] |first=Red| last= Farrell| page= 35|date=March 13, 1930| access-date= September 12, 2013}}</ref> Mack signed Pennock in 1912 to play for his collegiate team based in [[Atlantic City]]. Pennock's father insisted that he sign under an alias in order to protect his collegiate eligibility. Pennock threw a [[no-hitter]] against a traveling [[Negro league baseball]] team, and Mack promoted him to the Athletics.<ref name=sabr/> Mack intended for Pennock to be one of the prospects who would replace star pitchers [[Eddie Plank]], [[Chief Bender]], and [[Jack Coombs]].<ref name=obit/>

Pennock made his major league debut with the Athletics during [[1912 Philadelphia Athletics season|their 1912 season]] on May 14, allowing one [[hit (baseball)|hit]] in four [[innings pitched]].<ref name=sabr/> He was the youngest person to play in the [[American League]] (AL) that season.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1912-other-leaders.shtml |title=1912 American League Awards, All-Stars, & More Leaders |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date= September 10, 2012}}</ref> Former major leaguer [[Mike Grady (baseball)|Mike Grady]], a neighbor of Pennock's in Kennett Square, took Pennock under his wing, while Bender taught Pennock to throw a [[screwball]].<ref name=sabr/>

Pennock missed most of the 1913 season with an illness, but was able to rejoin the team late in the season.<ref name=sabr/><ref name=1914reach>{{cite book|title=1914 Reach Guide| year=1883 |page= 45|url = http://library.si.edu/digital-library/book/reachofficialame19141phil|access-date=January 3, 2017}}</ref> In the 1914 season, Pennock posted an 11–4 [[win–loss record (pitching)|win–loss record]] with a 2.79 [[earned run average]] (ERA) in {{frac|151|2|3}} innings pitched for the Athletics, and pitched three scoreless innings in the [[1914 World Series]], which the Athletics lost to the [[1914 Boston Braves season|Boston Braves]]. Mack let Bender go after the season, naming Pennock his [[Opening Day]] starting pitcher in 1915. On Opening Day, Pennock threw a one-hit [[complete game]] [[shutouts in baseball|shutout]] against the [[1915 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]].<ref name= sabr/> However, as the Athletics struggled, Pennock's nonchalant playing style drew Mack's ire. Concluding that Pennock "lacked ambition", Mack sold Pennock to the Red Sox for the [[waivers (baseball)|waiver price]] of $2,500 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|2500|1915}}}} in current dollar terms).<ref name=sabr/><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ub0qMHIYcFEC&q=herb-pennock+waiver&pg=PT46|title=Connie Mack: The Turbulent and Triumphant Years, 1915–1931|first=Norman L.| last= Macht|page=29|publisher=University of Nebraska Press|year=2012|isbn= 9780803240353}}</ref> Mack later regarded this sale as his greatest mistake.<ref name=mistake>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2hMxAAAAIBAJ&pg=3009,5922677&dq=herb-pennock&hl=en| title= Selling Herb Pennock Mack's 'Big mistake': A's Pilot Observes Eighty-First Birthday by Recalling 'Boner'| agency= Associated Press| newspaper= Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |page= 13| date=December 24, 1943|access-date=September 12, 2013}}</ref>

===Boston Red Sox===
With a deep pitching staff in place, the Red Sox loaned Pennock to the [[Providence Grays]] of the [[International League]] in August for the remainder of the 1915 season.<ref name=sabr/><ref>{{cite news| url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DoRRAAAAIBAJ&pg=2493,1272828&dq=herb-pennock&hl=en|title=Herb Pennock Released|newspaper=The Gazette Times|page=10|date=August 13, 1915|access-date=September 12, 2013}}</ref> He split the 1916 season between the Red Sox and the [[Buffalo Bisons (1886–1970)|Buffalo Bisons]], also in the International League. With Buffalo, Pennock pitched to a 1.67 ERA, as Buffalo won the league [[Pennant (sports)|pennant]].<ref name=ILHOF/> Though the Red Sox won the 1915 and [[1916 World Series]], Pennock did not appear in either series.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1915_WS.shtml |title=1915 World Series&nbsp;– Boston Red Sox over Philadelphia Phillies (4–1) |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date= September 10, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1916_WS.shtml |title=1916 World Series&nbsp;– Boston Red Sox over Brooklyn Robins (4–1) |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date= September 10, 2012}}</ref>

Pitching in [[minor league baseball]], Pennock began to regain confidence.<ref name=sabr/> However, Boston manager [[Jack Barry (baseball)|Jack Barry]] used Pennock sparingly in the 1917 season, and Pennock enlisted in the [[United States Navy]] in 1918.<ref>{{cite news| url= https://www.nytimes.com/1918/03/22/archives/baseball-stars-in-navy-many-strong-teams-to-represent-sailors-of.html|title=Baseball Stars in Navy.&nbsp;– Many Strong Teams to Represent Sailors of Nation| newspaper= [[The New York Times]] |date=March 22, 1918|access-date=September 8, 2012}}</ref> Pennock pitched for a team fielded by the Navy, defeating a team composed of members of the [[United States Army]] in an exhibition for [[George V]], the [[King of England]] in [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]] stadium. After the game, [[Ed Barrow]], the new manager of the Red Sox, signed Pennock to a new contract after promising to use him regularly during the 1919 season.<ref name=sabr/>
[[File:Herb Pennock (1922 baseball card).jpg|thumb|175px|Pennock baseball card]]

Pennock received only one start apiece in the months of April and May, as the [[1919 Boston Red Sox season|1919 Red Sox]] relied on [[George Dumont]], [[Bill James (pitcher, born 1887)|Bill James]], and [[Bullet Joe Bush]], leading Pennock to threaten to quit in late-May unless Barrow fulfilled his earlier promise to Pennock. Barrow continued to use Pennock regularly after [[Memorial Day]],<ref name= sabr/> and Pennock finished the season with a 16–8 win–loss record and a 2.71 ERA in 219 innings pitched. He served as the team's [[ace (baseball)|ace pitcher]] in the 1920 season, but subsequently settled in as the Red Sox' third starter.<ref name=sabr/> After the [[1922 Boston Red Sox season|1922 Red Sox campaign]], in which he went 10–17, and had seven [[wild pitch]]es, leading the AL,<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1922-pitching-leaders.shtml |title=1922 American League Pitching Leaders |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 10, 2012}}</ref> the [[New York Yankees]] began to negotiate with the Red Sox to acquire Pennock.<ref>{{cite news| url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=b-QcAAAAIBAJ&pg=6335,989736&dq=herb-pennock&hl=en|title=Yankees Seek Herb Pennock: Frazee Turns Down Offer Which Would Send McMillan and Cash to Boston for Pitcher|first=Davis J.|last=Walsh|agency=International News Service| page=22| newspaper =The Pittsburgh Press|date=December 27, 1922|access-date=September 12, 2013}}</ref> The Yankees traded [[Norm McMillan]], [[George Murray (baseball)|George Murray]], and [[Camp Skinner]] to the Red Sox for Pennock that offseason.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zCcrAAAAIBAJ&pg=5707,2348542&dq=herb-pennock&hl=en|title=Yankees Get Pennock From Boston Red Sox| newspaper= The Southeast Missourian| page=2|date=February 1, 1923|access-date=September 8, 2012}}</ref>

===New York Yankees===
Pennock pitched to a 19–6 win–loss record in the 1923 season, his first with the Yankees, leading the [[American League]] (AL) in [[winning percentage]] ({{winning percentage|19|6}}) and finishing sixth in wins.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1923-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1923 American League Pitching Leaders| website=Baseball-Reference.com| access-date=September 9, 2012}}</ref> Pitching in the [[1923 World Series]], Pennock defeated the [[1923 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] in game two, on October 11, to end their eight-game World Series winning streak.<ref name=sabr/><ref name=ws1923>{{cite web| url= https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1923_WS.shtml|title=1923 World Series&nbsp;– New York Yankees over New York Giants (4–2)|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date= September 9, 2012}}</ref> He recorded a [[save (baseball)|save]] in securing the Yankees' win in game four, and pitched to the win in game six on one day of rest, clinching the Yankees' first World Series championship.<ref name=sabr/><ref name=ws1923/> [[Umpire (baseball)|Umpire]] [[Billy Evans]] called it "the greatest pitching performance I have ever seen", as Pennock "had nothing."<ref name= sabr/><ref>{{cite news|url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4FtbAAAAIBAJ&pg=778,3422542&dq=herb-pennock&hl=en| title= Southpaw Herb Pennock Saved World Series For Yankees By Marvelous Brand of Pitching| first=Billy| last=Evans| newspaper=The Providence News| page=29|date=November 2, 1923| access-date=September 12, 2013}}</ref>

In the 1924 season, he pitched to a 21–9 win–loss record with a 2.83 ERA while [[strikeout|striking out]] a career-high 101 batters. His win total was second in the AL, behind [[Walter Johnson]], while his ERA was third behind Johnson and [[Tom Zachary]], and he finished fourth in strikeouts behind Johnson, [[Howard Ehmke]], and teammate [[Bob Shawkey]].<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1924-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1924 American League Pitching Leaders| website=Baseball-Reference.com| access-date=September 9, 2012}}</ref> Pennock's 277 innings pitched and 1.220 [[walks plus hits per inning pitched]] (WHIP) ratio led the AL in the 1925 season, while his 2.96 ERA was second-best, behind [[Stan Coveleski]].<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1925-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1925 American League Pitching Leaders| website=Baseball-Reference.com| access-date=September 9, 2012}}</ref> In the 1926 season, he posted a career-high 23 wins, finishing second in the AL to [[George Uhle]]. He again led the AL in WHIP (1.265), and issued the fewest [[walks per nine innings]] pitched (1.453).<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1926-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1926 American League Pitching Leaders| website=Baseball-Reference.com| access-date=September 9, 2012}}</ref> During the pennant race, ''[[The Sporting News]]'' called Pennock the "best left-hander in the majors".<ref name=sabr/> Pennock earned the wins in game one and game five of the [[1926 World Series]]. He finished game seven of the series, which the Yankees lost to the [[1926 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis Cardinals]].<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1926_WS.shtml| title=1926 World Series&nbsp;– St. Louis Cardinals over New York Yankees (4–3)| website=Baseball-Reference.com| access-date= September 9, 2012}}</ref>
[[File:Herb Pennock 1927.jpeg|thumb|150px|left|Pennock, circa 1927]]

The Yankees reached the World Series, facing the [[1927 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh Pirates]]. Pennock pitched a complete game against the Pirates in game three of the [[1927 World Series]], not allowing a hit until the eighth inning. Pennock's performance drew praise from teammate [[Babe Ruth]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pI1FAAAAIBAJ&pg=4372,467082&dq=herb-pennock&hl=en|title=Babe Has Praise For Herb Pennock: Yanks' Southpaw Pitches Wonderful Game Against Pirates|newspaper=The Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal|page=19|location=Dubuque, Iowa|date=October 9, 1927|access-date=September 12, 2013}}</ref> The Yankees swept the series from Pittsburgh.<ref name=ws1927>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1927_WS.shtml|title=1927 World Series&nbsp;– New York Yankees over Pittsburgh Pirates (4–0)|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date= September 9, 2012}}</ref> After pitching a three-hit shutout against the Red Sox on August 12, 1928, he missed the remainder of the [[1928 Major League Baseball season|season]], including the [[1928 World Series]], with an arm injury. His five shutouts and 0.085 [[home runs per nine innings]] pitched led the AL. His 2.56 ERA trailed only [[Garland Braxton]], while his 17 wins tied for eighth place.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1928-pitching-leaders.shtml |title=1928 American League Pitching Leaders |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 10, 2012}}</ref> Though the [[1928 New York Yankees season|Yankees]] defeated the [[1928 St. Louis Cardinals season|Cardinals]] in the 1928 World Series,<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1928_WS.shtml|title=1928 World Series&nbsp;– New York Yankees over St. Louis Cardinals (4–0)|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date= September 9, 2012}}</ref> the Yankees' starting rotation without Pennock was likened to "a three-stringed [[ukulele]]."<ref name=sabr/>

In the 1929 season, Pennock saw his pitching time and pitching quality diminish. Over the rest of his career, he never posted more than 189 innings pitched in a season and his ERA rose to over 4.00. He suffered from bouts of [[neuritis]] in 1929 and 1930.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5SEbAAAAIBAJ&pg=2780,5586451&dq=herb-pennock&hl=en|title=Herb Pennock Has Neuritis Again| newspaper= The Pittsburgh Press| page= 11|date=May 3, 1930|access-date=September 12, 2013}}</ref> Pennock won his 200th career game during the 1929 season, becoming the third left-handed pitcher to reach that mark.<ref name=sabr/> He led the AL in walks per nine innings pitched in 1930 (1.151)<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1930-pitching-leaders.shtml |title=1930 American League Pitching Leaders |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 10, 2012}}</ref> and 1931 (1.426).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1931-pitching-leaders.shtml |title=1931 American League Pitching Leaders |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 10, 2012}}</ref> Pennock pitched four innings of relief against the [[1932 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] in the [[1932 World Series]], recording two saves.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1932_WS.shtml |title=1932 World Series&nbsp;– New York Yankees over Chicago Cubs (4–0) |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date= September 10, 2012}}</ref> The New York chapter of the [[Baseball Writers' Association of America]] named him their player of the year.<ref name= yanksrelease/>

In 1933, serving exclusively as a relief pitcher, Pennock had a 7–4 win–loss record in 23 appearances.<ref name= end/> After the 1933 season, the Yankees honored Pennock with a testimonial dinner on January 6, 1934, and then gave him his release.<ref name=sabr/><ref name="yanksrelease">{{Cite news |date=1934-01-06 |title=Pennock Released By New York Yanks |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-pennock-released-by/163309567/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |work=The Palm Beach Post |page=9 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

===Return to Boston===
[[Eddie Collins]], a former teammate with the Athletics now serving as the [[general manager (baseball)|general manager]] of the Red Sox, signed Pennock to their [[1934 Boston Red Sox season|1934 roster]].<ref name=end>{{cite news| url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0t5bAAAAIBAJ&pg=3367,1178774&dq=herb-pennock&hl=en|title=Boston Gets Herb Pennock|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=St. Joseph Gazette| page=9A|date=January 21, 1934| access-date=September 14, 2013}}</ref> In his last season pitching in the major leagues, Pennock served as a [[relief pitcher]] for the Red Sox.<ref name=sabr/>

Pennock retired with a career record of 241 wins, 162 losses, and a 3.60 ERA. Pennock pitched in five World Series, one with Philadelphia and four with New York. He was a member of four World Series championship teams. In World Series play, Pennock amassed a 5–0 career win–loss record with three saves, becoming the second pitcher to win five World Series games, after Coombs.<ref>{{cite news| url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=C6RiAAAAIBAJ&pg=3800,4530356&dq=herb-pennock+jack-coombs&hl=en| title=Herb Pennock Up With Best: Yankee Pitching Ace Tied Jack Coombs' Record in Recent Series| page=10|newspaper=Providence News |date=October 13, 1927|access-date=September 14, 2013}}</ref> Pennock was a part of seven World Series championship teams (1913, 1915, 1916, 1923, 1927, 1928, and 1932), though he played in four World Series as a member of the winning team. Many, including Mack, considered Pennock among the greatest left-handed pitchers of all time.<ref name= sabr/><ref name=mistake/>

==Post-playing career==
Pennock became the general manager of the [[Charlotte Hornets (baseball)|Charlotte Hornets]], a Red Sox' farm team of the [[Piedmont League]], prior to the 1935 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_H9ZAAAAIBAJ&pg=5514,257123&dq=herb-pennock&hl=en|title=Herb Pennock To Manage Charlotte|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Rochester Evening Journal|page=18|date=January 2, 1935|access-date=September 12, 2013}}</ref> He returned to the Red Sox in 1936 as the first base and pitching [[coach (baseball)|coach]] under manager [[Joe Cronin]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=Gerry |date=1936-03-04 |title=Herb Pennock to Remain With the Red Sox Doing Duty as First Base Coach, Declares Cronin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-herb-pennock-to-remain/163310172/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |page=21 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He served in this role through the 1938 season. In 1939, Pennock became the assistant supervisor of Boston's minor league system, reporting to [[Billy Evans]], then succeeded Evans as Director of Minor League Operations late in the 1940 season.<ref name=sabr/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/csmonitor_historic/access/282393132.html?dids=282393132:282393132&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&date=Oct+09%2C+1940&author=&pub=Christian+Science+Monitor&desc=Evans+Succeeded+By+Herb+Pennock&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131152827/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/csmonitor_historic/access/282393132.html?dids=282393132:282393132&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&date=Oct+09,+1940&author=&pub=Christian+Science+Monitor&desc=Evans+Succeeded+By+Herb+Pennock&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 31, 2013 |title=Evans Succeeded By Herb Pennock |newspaper=[[The Christian Science Monitor]] |date=October 9, 1940 |access-date=September 10, 2012}} {{subscription required|date=September 2012}}</ref>

In December 1943, [[R. R. M. Carpenter Jr.]], the new owner of the [[Philadelphia Phillies]], hired Pennock as his general manager,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ewkeAAAAIBAJ&pg=2884,3438743&dq=herb-pennock&hl=en|title=Herb Pennock Takes Philly Position|agency=United Press International|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|page=35|date=November 30, 1943|access-date=September 8, 2012}}</ref> after receiving a recommendation from Mack. Carpenter gave Pennock a lifetime contract. Pennock filled Carpenter's duties when the team's owner was drafted into service during World War II in 1944. As general manager, Pennock changed the team's name to the "Blue Jays"—a temporary measure abandoned after the {{mlby|1949}} season—and invested $1&nbsp;million (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|1000000|1944}}}} in current dollar terms) into players who would become known as the "[[Whiz Kids (baseball)|Whiz Kids]]", who won the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] [[List of National League pennant winners|pennant]] in 1950, including [[Curt Simmons]] and [[Willie Jones (third baseman)|Willie Jones]].<ref name=sabr/> He also created a "Grandstand Managers Club", the first in baseball history, allowing fans to give feedback to the team,<ref>{{Cite news |date=1945-05-08 |title=Grandstand Manager's Club Formed by Phils |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-grandstand-managers-cl/163310056/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |work=Hartford Courant |page=19 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> and advocated for the repeal of the [[Bonus Rule]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zckhAAAAIBAJ&pg=3926,6153122&dq=herb-pennock&hl=en|title=Herb Pennock Raps Major League Bonus Rule. Phillies Head to Urge Law Repeal: Present Rule Called Drawback to Clubs, Players; Simmons May Be Test Case|newspaper=Reading Eagle|agency=Associated Press|page=11|date=October 28, 1947|access-date=September 14, 2013}}</ref>

Pennock opposed racial integration in baseball.<ref name=sabr/> In 1947, when [[Jackie Robinson]] was signed to the Brooklyn Dodgers, Pennock called Dodgers team president [[Branch Rickey]] before the Dodgers' series in Philadelphia and told him not to "bring that nigger here with the rest of the team."<ref>{{cite web
| url        = http://articles.philly.com/1998-07-08/news/25737814_1_statue-jackie-robinson-hero
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131107023029/http://articles.philly.com/1998-07-08/news/25737814_1_statue-jackie-robinson-hero
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = November 7, 2013
| title      = Racial Issues Tarnish Hall Of Famer Tribute Chesco's Herb Pennock Was A Hero To Many, But Some Say He Didn't Always Act Like One
| work       = The Philadelphia Inquirer
| first = John | last=Manasso
| date       = July 8, 1998
| access-date = June 8, 2016
}}</ref> He further threatened to boycott a 1947 game between the [[1947 Philadelphia Phillies season|Phillies]] and [[1947 Brooklyn Dodgers season|Dodgers]] if Robinson played.<ref name=statue>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=A6ksAAAAIBAJ&pg=4585,732085&dq=herb-pennock&hl=en|title=Herb Pennock: Racial stand snags statue plan|newspaper=Star-News|page=2A|date=July 18, 1998|access-date=September 14, 2013}}</ref><ref name=latimes/>

Accusations of Pennock's alleged racism have come into question upon the 2016 release of the book ''Herb Pennock: Baseball's Faultless Pitcher'' written by Keith Craig. The only source of the story about the call to Rickey was from the 1976 book ''The Lords of Baseball'' by Harold Parrott who claimed to have listened in on the conversation on an extension line, something which didn't exist at the time.<ref name="cbarberdln">{{Cite web |last=Barber |first=Chris |date=July 11, 2016 |title=New book asserts Pennock was no racist |url=https://www.dailylocal.com/2016/07/11/new-book-asserts-pennock-was-no-racist/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |work=Daily Local News |publication-place=Exton, Pennsylvania}}</ref> Robinson had stated that the call was made by Carpenter and not Pennock.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/sports/phillies/20141109_Racism_claim_still_clouds_Hall_of_Famer_Pennock_s_reputation.html |last=Fitzpatrick|first=Frank|title=Racism claim still clouds Hall of Famer Pennock's reputation|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=November 7, 2014|access-date=February 11, 2020}}</ref> Additionally in his book, Craig mentioned that Pennock and his wife took in a black woman who had fled an abusive husband in the 1930s, lived with their family for the rest of her life and was buried next to him.<ref name="cbarberdln"/>

In 1948, at the age of 53, one week and four days before his 54th birthday, Pennock collapsed in the lobby of the [[Waldorf-Astoria Hotel]] as a result of a [[cerebral hemorrhage]]. He was pronounced dead upon his arrival at [[Midtown Hospital (Manhattan)|Midtown Hospital]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=91sbAAAAIBAJ&pg=3813,4799727&dq=herb-pennock&hl=en|title=Herb Pennock Dies Suddenly: Phils' Official Collapses in Hotel|agency=United Press International|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|page=26|date=January 30, 1948|access-date=September 8, 2012}}</ref> Pennock had appeared to be in good health, even inviting friends to join him at [[Madison Square Garden]] to attend a [[boxing match]], prior to being stricken.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1948-01-31 |title=Herb Pennock Dies: He Erased Futile From The Phillies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-herb-pennock-dies-h/163309481/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |work=The Palm Beach Post |page=6 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

==Honors==
Pennock was honored with "Herb Pennock Day" on April 30, 1944, in Kennett Square.<ref name=sabr/>  Weeks after his death in 1948, Pennock was elected to the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wlEwAAAAIBAJ&pg=6619,3769276&dq=herb-pennock&hl=en|title=Pitcher Herb Pennock, Buc's Pie Traynor Elected to Cooperstown Hall of Fame: Al Simmons Is Third in Writers' Vote|first=Jack|last=Hand|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Deseret News|date=February 27, 1948|access-date=September 8, 2012}}</ref> In 1998, an attempt to erect a statue in Kennett Square in his honor was blocked due to his support of segregation in baseball.<ref name=statue/><ref name=latimes>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-aug-14-mn-13134-story.html|title=Heroes of Yore May Not Be Evermore: Pennsylvania town's attempt to honor Ruth-era pitcher Herb Pennock draws fire over alleged racist remarks. Issue raises questions about standards used in judging others|date=August 14, 1998|first=Sam|last=Fulwood III|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=September 12, 2013}}</ref>

[[Fred Heimach]], a teammate of Pennock, once called him the smartest ball player he knew.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Butler |first=Guy |date=1943-09-21 |title=Herb Pennock Smartest Twirler |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-news-herb-pennock-smartest-twi/163309634/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |work=The Miami News |page=2-B |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> In 1981, [[Lawrence Ritter]] and [[Donald Honig]] included Pennock in their book ''The 100 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time''. He was inducted in the [[International League Hall of Fame]] in 1948.<ref name=ILHOF>{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/documents/2007/07/22/278244/1/ILHOF_1948-50.pdf|title=International League Hall of Fame: Class of 1948–50|work=MiLB.com|date=July 22, 2007|access-date=September 10, 2012}}</ref> Noted baseball photographer [[Charles M. Conlon]] considered Pennock one of his favorite subjects to photograph.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oSAbAAAAIBAJ&pg=1258,5431946&dq=herb-pennock&hl=en|title=Herb Pennock Photographs In Graceful Fashion|first=Joe|last=Williams|page=33|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|date=April 3, 1930|access-date=September 12, 2013}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Pennock was nicknamed "the Squire of Kennett Square."<ref name=obit>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DAoiAAAAIBAJ&pg=2946,6588579&dq=herb-pennock+quaker&hl=en|title=Pennock, Phillies' General Manager, Dies of Hemorrhage: Former Major League Star Collapses In Lobby of N. Y. Hotel|newspaper=[[Reading Eagle]]|agency=Associated Press|page=17|date=January 30, 1948|access-date=October 6, 2012}}</ref><ref name=philly/> He married Esther M. Freck, his high school sweetheart and the younger sister of a childhood friend, on October 28, 1915. Esther often attended [[spring training]] and traveled with her husband's team during the season. Together, the couple had a daughter, Jane (born 1920), and a son, Joe (born 1925). Jane later married [[Eddie Collins Jr.]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=1941-10-25 |title=Children of Baseball Immortals Will Wed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun-children-of-baseball-imm/163309818/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |work=The Evening Sun |page=8 |publication-place=Hanover, Pennsylvania |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> While a member of the Yankees, Pennock rented an apartment on [[Grand Concourse (Bronx)|Grand Concourse]] in [[The Bronx]], where his wife and children stayed while the Yankees played their home games.<ref name=sabr/>

Pennock was a proficient [[Equestrianism|horse rider]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=1923-02-24 |title=Herb Pennock Is Some Jockey, As Well As A Real Pitcher |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-herb-pennock-is-some-jo/163309946/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |work=The Boston Globe |page=7 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He also raised [[hound]]s and [[silver fox (animal)|silver foxes]] for their pelts.<ref name=philly>{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/2008-03-28/news/25260117_1_hall-of-fame-honors-local-stars-barber-pole/2|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131075206/http://articles.philly.com/2008-03-28/news/25260117_1_hall-of-fame-honors-local-stars-barber-pole/2|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2013|title=Baseball's other Hall of Fame At Burton's Barber Shop in Kennett Square, local stars are immortalized|first=Art|last=Carey|publisher=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|work=[[philly.com]]|date=March 28, 2008|access-date=September 9, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Pegler |first=Westbrook |date=September 26, 1932 |title=Pennock Is a Foxy Fellow; He Raises Fancy Fox Furs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-pegler-pennock-is-a-fox/41807205/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |newspaper=Chicago Daily Tribune |page=21 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He also grew flowers and vegetables on his farm.<ref name=obit/>

Pennock was a [[Freemason]] and a member of Kennett Lodge No. 475, F.&A.M., in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}
* [[List of members of the Baseball Hall of Fame]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders]]
* [[New York Yankees award winners and league leaders]]
* [[Oakland Athletics award winners and league leaders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{bbhof|pennock-herb}}
*{{baseballstats|mlb=|espn=|br=p/pennohe01|fangraphs=1010161|brm=pennoc001her|retro=P/Ppennh101}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060712215452/http://www.thedeadballera.com/Obits/Pennock.Herb.Obit.html The Deadball Era]
*{{Find a Grave}}
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{{succession box | title=[[Boston Red Sox]] Pitching Coach | before=[[Jack Onslow]] | years=1936–1939 | after= [[Frank Shellenback]]}} 
{{succession box|title=[[Philadelphia Phillies]] [[General manager (baseball)|General Manager]]|before=n/a|after=[[R. R. M. Carpenter Jr.|Bob Carpenter]]|years={{Baseball year|1944}}–{{Baseball year|1948}}}}
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