Monster Card Monday: 1922 Rogers Hornsby

Hall of Fame second baseman Rogers Hornsby makes a second Monster Card appearance as I featured his fantastic 1924 card over a year ago.  This 1922 card of Hornsby is quite excellent as well, of course as both cards are right in the middle of his six straight batting titles from 1920-1925. 

Hornsby’s 1924 season featured his magnificent .424 batting average but in 1922, he hit for much more power.  Not just homerun power either (42 HR to 25) but gap power too.  Overall, his slugging percentage was .722, the second highest of his career. 

In ‘22, Hornsby led the NL in runs scored (141), hits (250), doubles (46), homeruns (42), rbis (152), batting average (.401), OBP (.459), and slugging (.722).  His .401 average is the 25th highest of all time and his .722 slugging percentage is 23rd highest.

How did APBA treat Hornsby’s .401/42 HR season?  Let’s put it this way… against a D pitcher, 1922 Rogers Hornsby has an incredible 14 hits on his card.  Add the three 14s plus the 53-18 error number and he’ll be on base half the time.  Even against an A pitcher, he has 14 chances to get on base. 

And the fun power numbers!  With the 42 homers and 14 triples, Hornsby gets the interesting power combination of 1-1-3-6-6.  Don’t forget, other than the 1 and the 5, the result number 3 is the third likeliest number to produce a homer.  As unrealistic as it may be, opposing managers dread this card with a runner on third.   Hornsby then has five chances to hit a four-bagger!

Even with the five power numbers and the two 10s, Hornsby still gets three 7s on his card.  That puts his last 9 at 61.

Fun numbers: 33-3, 31-7, 42-8

The best part is that Rogers Hornsby played every game of the 1922 season (unlike 1924) so those concerned about realism need not be concerned about resting him.  Hornsby’s playing time might even warrant his 2B-8 though Bill James would probably argue that if he played APBA.

Thanks Pastor Rich!