Player Profile

Biography / Info

• Ross Youngs played major league baseball from 1917 to 1926. Had his career not been cut short by his premature death, he may have become known as one of the finest outfielders in baseball history.
• Giants legend John McGraw developed a very special liking for Ross Youngs and called him "the greatest outfielder I ever saw". This was all  proven later when only 2 photographs were hung in his office. One of Christy Mathewson and the other, Ross Youngs. 
• As a youngster, he starred in track and football at West Texas Military Academy. Was a star halfback and received offers to play from several colleges. Instead he turned them all down to pursue a professional baseball career.

His Playing Days

• 1916: While playing mostly infield for the Sherman club of the Western Association, New York Giants manager John McGraw got a tip on the switch-hitting Youngs. The team sent scout Dick Kinsella to observe him. Kinsella was immediately impressed and on August 14th, the Giants purchased Youngs for a reported $2000. Finished season with Sherman and compiled a .362 average and had 195 hits.
• 1917: Invited to Giants spring training in Marlin, Texas, Ross made a favorable impression on everybody and was given his nickname 'Pep'. McGraw decided to convert him to an outfielder and thought Ross would benefit from one year of seasoning at Rochester under his watchful eye. Youngs batted .356 in 140 games there and McGraw called him up in the waning days of the season, where he was able to get into 7 games.
• 1918: Giants outfielder Dave Robertson quit baseball and it opened a spot for Ross to play full time. His first full season was productive as he concentrated on batting only from the left side and learning how to play the tricky right field at the Polo Grounds.
• 1919: Led the league in doubles and assists. Finished 3rd in batting average
• 1920: Finished 2nd in batting only behind Rogers Hornsby and was tied for first with 26 outfield assists. His .477 slugging average was good enough for 3rd in the league.
• 1921-1924: Played important part of 4 straight Giant pennant winning clubs. Batted .286 in 26 career Series games and outslugged his right field opponent Babe Ruth in the 1922 Series, .375 to .118. McGraw was quoted as saying "I would never make that deal", when asked if he would trade Youngs for Ruth.
• 1925: Ross batted only .264, the first time his average had ever been below .300. McGraw noticed Ross did not look well, but after the season Ross, with his wife and baby, went to Europe.
• 1926: During spring training, McGraw insisted he get checked up by physicians. It was discovered that Ross was suffering from Bright's disease, a serious kidney disorder. McGraw hired a male nurse to look over Ross wherever the team went. While keeping his spirits high, he played until he could no longer go on. During his 95 games, he was grooming a future hall of famer on the finer points of playing right field. The man was Mel Ott. Ross was soon bedridden and his weight dropped significantly until his passing in October of 1927.

Hall of Fame

• 1972: Selected to the Hall of Fame.

Career Statistics