Detroit Tigers history: Johnny Neun takes down Ty Cobb’s record

There were a lot of great names in the ballpark for the New York Yankees that day, but when the crowd departed they were all talking about the little known Detroit Tigers first baseman Johnny Neun.

In what was a pretty mediocre career, Detroit Tigers first baseman Johnny Neun had himself a day back in 1927 while he shared the same field as one of the best teams in baseball history.

Having your name mentioned in the same company of Ty Cobb is something special, and little known Neun topped one of his records while having the game of his career.

The visiting New York Yankees were town to play a double header and they brought with them one of the most feared lineups in all of baseball. Several future Hall of Famers were penciled into the lineup card for the Yanks, though by days end it was Johnny Neun who would steal the show.

The first game of the double-dip had Neun collect two hits and drive in two runs, though his team lost by twelve.

In the night cap, the Detroit Tigers returned the favor by beating the Yankees by double digits, and it was Neun who filled up the scorebook. He had a perfect five-for-five day at the plate, all singles, he drove in three and scored four times.

While on the base paths is where he erased Ty Cobb’s name from the team record book. Neun stole five bases (including third base twice) eclipsing Cobb’s mark for stolen bases in one game.

The hitting performance raised Neun’s batting average to a robust .363. He would finish the 1927 campaign hitting a career high .324 though in only 204 at-bats. In earlier years Neun had hit .353 with 55 stolen bases playing for Class AA St. Paul.

While in the Major Leagues Neun was unable to crack the starting lineup on a regular basis. He hit a modest .289 for his career though had just two big league home runs in slightly under one thousand at-bats, spanning six years.

He was better known for his defense, even turning an unassisted triple play in his days in the field.

Solely playing first base the team needed more power and after an appendicitis attack slowed Neun, his days in Detroit were numbered.

He finished his career playing two seasons with the Boston Braves before becoming a long time baseball scout.

His final statistics may not have been gaudy, but he’ll be remembered for the day he upstaged Murder’s Row, and out-shined Ty Cobb.