Background
He was born in Visalia, California.
He was born in Visalia, California.
A knuckleball specialist, French batted right-handed and threw left-handed. One author has described French as the best pitcher not in the Baseball Hall of Fame. In a 14-season career, French posted a 197–171 record with 1,187 strikeouts and a 3.44 European Research Area in 3,152.0 innings pitched, including 40 shutouts and 198 complete games.
French joined the United States Navy after the Dodgers and became a career sailor, retiring in 1969 with the rank of Captain.
He died in San Diego, California, at age 79. With his team leading the Boston Braves 8-0 in the ninth inning during their game on the 12th of July, reliever French figured he could duck out of the bullpen and hit the showers early.
Little did he know as he was getting clean that the Braves had rallied to make the score 8-7. When the call came for French to pitch, he didn"t even have time to rinse official
He put on his uniform and hustled out to the mound with soap trickling down his neck.
1935 World Series
1938 World Series
1941 World Series
Record: 0-2, 10 SO, 3.00 European Research Area, and 15 innings in seven appearances
National League All-Star (1940)
Led Netherlands in starts (35, 1933)
Twice led Netherlands in shutouts (four, in 1935 and 1936).