OTD July 19

OTD in 1933, North Carolina brothers Rick and Wes Ferrell set a MLB record. Rick and Wes were 2 of 7 brothers in the Ferrell family. Growing up in the Greensboro and Durham area of North Carolina on their father’s dairy farm, the Ferrell brothers learned how to play baseball on their family ball field made on their dad’s farm. While Rick and Wes would become Major Leaguers — another Ferrell brother, George, would have a 20-year career in the Minor Leagues.

On July 19, 1933, Wes’ Cleveland Indians were playing the last game of a 4 game series in Boston against Rick’s Red Sox. Wes Ferrell was the starting pitcher for the Indians and Rick Ferrell was the starting catcher for the Red Sox. In the top of the 4th inning, Wes hit a 2-run HR. In the bottom of the 4th, Rick one-upped his brother, hitting a 3-run HR off the younger Wes. The sibling home runs marked the 3rd time in MLB history that brothers had each hit a home run in the same game, but it was the first time in history that the brothers were on opposite teams.

Rick Ferrell would have a Hall of Fame career, catching for 18 seasons in the Majors from 1929-1947. Rick would finish with 1,692 career hits and .281 batting average and earn 8 selections to the MLB All-Star Game. Rick’s professional baseball career started in 1926 in Kinston, NC with the Kinston Eagles of the Virginia League. In 1984, Rick was voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veteran’s Committee. Pitcher Wes Ferrell had a 15-year career (1927-1941) in the Major Leagues, winning 193 games and sporting a 4.04 ERA over his career. From 1929-1936, Wes won 20 or more games 6 out of those 8 seasons, winning 25 games in 1930 and 1935 — finishing 2nd in the 1935 MVP voting. Wes was also selected as an All-Star in 1933 and 1937.

Box score of record setting game on July 19th: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS193307190.shtml