Career Record
Bridges was one of the best pitchers in baseball from 1931 until 1943, when he entered the Army.
He was among the league leaders in earned run average 10 times between 1932 and 1943, including a career-low 2.39 ERA in 1943—the year before Bridges entered the Army.
Over his major league career, he compiled an Adjusted ERA+ of 126—ranking 54th best in major league history. Though his unadjusted ERA is less impressive because of the high batting averages in the years in which he pitched, Bridges had an Adjusted ERA+ in excess of 140 on six occasions: 1932-33, 1939–40, 1942-43.
He was named an All-Star six times between 1934 and 1940, missing out only in 1938 due to an injury.
Bridges was also a consistent leader in strikeouts. He led the AL in strikeouts in 1935 and 1936, and was among the league leades 12 times: 1931-40, 1942-43. Even more telling, he was among the top 3 in the league in strikeouts per 9 innings pitched on 7 occasions: 1931, 1935–36, 1939–40, 1942-43.
In 1941 he set the Tigers' career strikeout record, surpassing George Mullin's mark of 1380. His team record for career strikeouts was broken in 1951 by Hal Newhouser, and remained the top mark for a right-hander until Jack Morris broke it in 1988.
Bridges' career record with the Tigers was 194-138 with a 3.57 ERA.
Read more about this topic: Tommy Bridges
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