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MLB History: Ten Greatest One Hit Wonders in Baseball

By David Hill

Aug 9, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Luis Gonzalez swings the bat during the Diamondbacks Alumni game after the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Cincinnati Reds at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks won 4-3 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Luis Gonzalez swings the bat during the Diamondbacks Alumni game after the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Cincinnati Reds at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks won 4-3 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 25, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Atlanta Braves hat and glove in the dugout before a game against the Colorado Rockies at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Bill James (1914): 26-7, 1.90 ERA, 1.140 WHiP, 332.1 innings

One of two pitchers named Bill James that played during the 1910’s, Seattle Bill had one glorious season when the Miracle Braves won the World Series in 1914.

After a solid rookie campaign in 1913, James became the ace of the Boston rotation. He made 37 starts, and completed 30 of them, throwing 332.1 innings that year. It was understandable as to why the Braves would look to get him on the mound for as long as possible, as he posted a 26-7 record with a 1.90 ERA and a 1.140 WHiP, striking out 156 batters. James also notched three saves that year in his nine relief appearances.

James led the league with a .788 winning percentage, and finished second in wins and ERA. He was second in the National League with an 8.3 WAR, and finished third in complete games and innings. He continued that dominance in the World Series, throwing eleven shutout innings against the mighty Philadelphia A’s.

However, after that season, James developed arm problems. He only pitched in 14 games for a total of 73.2 innings after that season, with the majority of that time coming in 1915. He returned for one game in 1919, then was in the minors until he retired in 1925.

One of the key pieces of the Miracle Braves, James was never able to build off his stellar second season. Even though he pitched until he was 33 years old, he was never able to recapture that form.

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