Bump Hadley

Irving Darius Hadley (July 5, 1904 – February 15, 1963) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball. Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, he played in the major leagues for the Washington Senators (1926–31 and 1935), Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Browns (1932–34), New York Yankees (1936–40), New York Giants (1941), and Philadelphia Athletics (1941).

Early life Hadley was born on July 5, 1904, to Irving A. and Effie B. Hadley in Lynn, Massachusetts. Irving A. Hadley was a successful Boston lawyer and it was expected that his son would follow him in the profession. As a member of the school's baseball team, Hadley threw a no-hitter against Chelsea High School. On May 3, 1923, he struck out a North Shore League record 21 batters in a one-hit shutout against Chelsea. He went on to attend Mercersburg Academy. Hadley started out as Mercersburg's third baseman, but moved to the mound after the team's pitcher dropped out of school. On June 4, 1924, Hadley threw a perfect game against the State Forestry School in which he struck out 26 of 27 batters he retired.

After Mercersburg, Hadley attended Brown University. He left the school during his sophomore year after being ruled academically ineligible for the upcoming baseball season and signed with East Douglas in the independent Blackstone Valley League, where he went 17–2. He became the team's #3 starter that year and compiled a 14–6 record with a 2.85 ERA. He finished the season with a 12–13 record and a 3.54 ERA. On September 3, 1928, he surrendered Ty Cobb's final career hit. Hadley struggled in 1929, going 6–16 with a 5.62 ERA. He improved the following year with a 15–11 record. Hadley made a league leading 55 appearances that season (11 starts and 44 relief appearances). He went 11–10, with an improved ERA of 3.06. He also tallied seven saves. The trade did not take place, however, as Clark Griffith wanted Buddy Myer instead of Hayes. Instead, Hadley was traded to the Chicago White Sox after the season with Hayes and Sad Sam Jones for John Kerr and Carl Reynolds.

Personal life On November 2, 1927, Hadley married Jessie Gibbs at The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C. The two first met when they attended Lynn English High School. The couple had two children and by the 1940s were residing in Swampscott, Massachusetts. He later worked as a paint salesman, represented a fuel oil company, and sold office equipment. He was also a New England scout for the New York Yankees. On February 15, 1963, Hadley died of heart attack at Lynn Hospital.