Monte Pearson

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Monte Pearson

|image=Monte Pearson 1939.jpg

|position=Pitcher

|bats=Right

|throws=Right

|birth_date={{birth date|1908|9|2}}

|birth_place=Oakland, California, U.S.

|death_date={{death date and age|1978|1|27|1908|9|2}}

|death_place=Fresno, California, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate=April 22

|debutyear=1932

|debutteam=Cleveland Indians

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate=August 5

|finalyear=1941

|finalteam=Cincinnati Reds

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label=Win–loss record

|stat1value=100–61

|stat2label=Earned run average

|stat2value=4.00

|stat3label=Strikeouts

|stat3value=703

|teams=

Cleveland Indians ({{baseball year|1932}}–{{baseball year|1935}})
New York Yankees ({{baseball year|1936}}–{{baseball year|1940}})
Cincinnati Reds ({{baseball year|1941}})

|highlights=

2× All-Star (1936, 1940)
4× World Series champion ({{wsy|1936}}–{{wsy|1939}})
Pitched a no-hitter on August 27, 1938

}}

Montgomery Marcellus Pearson (September 2, 1908 – January 27, 1978) was an American baseball pitcher who played ten seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Nicknamed "Hoot",{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pearsmo01.shtml|title=Monte Pearson Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=February 8, 2013}} he played for the Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds from 1932 to 1941. He batted and threw right-handed and served primarily as a starting pitcher.

Pearson played minor league baseball for three different teams until 1932, when he signed with the Cleveland Indians. After spending four seasons with the organization, Pearson was traded to the New York Yankees, where he spent the next five years. At the conclusion of the 1940 season, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, with whom he played his last game on August 5, 1941. A four-time World Series champion, Pearson holds the MLB record for lowest walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) in the postseason. He is noted for pitching the first no-hitter at the original Yankee Stadium.

Early life

Pearson was born on September 2, 1908, in Oakland, California. He was raised as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints{{cite news|title=Le's Go – Salt Lake Thriller|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zfUvAAAAIBAJ&pg=4823,4740033&dq=monte+pearson+mormon&hl=en|date=October 10, 1936|page=3|access-date=August 10, 2013|first=Les|last=Goates|newspaper=The Deseret News|agency=Associated Press}} and was one of the first Mormons to find success in the major leagues.{{cite news|title=Mormons Make Dent in Majors Author Hopes Book Hits Big In Salt Lake|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SLTB&p_theme=sltb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10118369677CDC1F&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|date=July 28, 1991|access-date=August 10, 2013|page=D1|first=Lex|last=Hemphill|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune}} {{subscription required}} He later moved to Fresno, California{{cite web|url=http://fresnoahof.org/pdf/60/MontePearson_67.pdf|title=Monte Pearson|publisher=Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame|access-date=August 19, 2013}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and studied at Fresno High School, where he started playing baseball at catcher and third base and was a letterman in four sports.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aChCBw-PmHQC&q=monte+pearson+larry&pg=PA1183|title=Biographical Dictionary of American Sports: G–P|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|date=2000|last=Porter|first=David L.|pages=1183–1184|isbn=9780313311758|access-date=February 9, 2013}} After graduating, he attended college at the University of California, Berkeley, where he played two seasons of baseball for the California Golden Bears from 1928 to 1929.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/schools/index.cgi?key_school=42a92ccb|title=University of California, Berkeley Baseball Players|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=August 11, 2013}} He worked as a mechanic as one of his first jobs, and his ability to sing and play the guitar helped develop his reputation as a positive influence on the clubhouse throughout his major league career.{{Cite book |last=Freedman |first=Lew |author-link=Lew Freedman |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PVSozBAwUXUC&q=monte+pearson+baseball&pg=PA48 |title=DiMaggio's Yankees: A History of the 1936–1944 Dynasty |date=2011 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=9780786488247 |pages=48–51 |access-date=August 5, 2013}}

Professional career

=Minor leagues=

Pearson began his professional baseball career in 1929 with the Bakersfield Bees, a Minor League Baseball team that were members of the California State League.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=pearso002mar|title=Monte Pearson Minor League Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=July 14, 2013}} He was signed by the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League the following year, and was optioned to the Arizona State League's Phoenix Senators after recording a 5.77 earned run average (ERA) in 24 games pitched. However, he established himself in the Oaks' pitching rotation in 1931 and compiled a 17–16 win–loss record and a 4.46 ERA in 234 innings pitched. His performance that year, coupled with his heavy-breaking curveball, caught the attention of the Cleveland Indians, who promptly bought his contract after the season ended.

=Cleveland Indians (1932–35)=

Pearson made his major league debut for the Indians on April 22, 1932, at the age of 23, relieving Pete Appleton in the eighth inning and giving up 6 earned runs in {{frac|1|2|3}} innings in a 16–3 loss against the Detroit Tigers.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CLE/CLE193204220.shtml|title=April 22, 1932 Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Indians Play by Play and Box Score|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|date=April 22, 1932|access-date=July 18, 2013}} His subsequent games were disappointing and, after compiling a 10.13 ERA in 8 innings from 8 games pitched, he was demoted back to the minor leagues. He played the rest of the season for the Toledo Mud Hens of the American Association (AA), where continued his dismal performance with a 3–9 record and 3.99 ERA. However, he improved significantly the following year, posting an 11–5 record and 3.41 ERA in 148 innings with the Mud Hens, as well as leading the AA in strikeouts at the time he was called back up to the majors.{{cite news|title=Sensational Rookie|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=P1ohAAAAIBAJ&pg=5291,3045457&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=April 15, 1934|page=13|access-date=July 21, 2013|newspaper=Reading Eagle}} His pitching during the first half of the season prompted the Indians to bring him back up to the first team in early July. He continued to pitch well in the majors and finished the season with a 10–5 record; his 2.33 ERA was the lowest in the American League (AL) that year and although he pitched only {{frac|135|1|3}} innings, he is recognized as the AL ERA champion by Baseball-Reference.com.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/pitching-era-titles.shtml|title=MLB Pitching ERA Champion as Recognized at End of Year|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=July 20, 2013}}

Pearson followed up his impressive 1933 season with another strong showing in {{mlby|1934}}. That year, he finished second in the AL in games started (33), fifth in strikeouts (140) and complete games (19) and sixth in wins (18). In spite of 13 losses, a 4.52 ERA, 130 walks (the second-highest in the AL) and 15 wild pitches (the most in MLB),{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/1934-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1934 Major League Baseball Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=August 6, 2013}} this was considered one of his best seasons. However, his poor performance in {{mlby|1935}}—where he went 8–13 with a 4.90 ERA—convinced the Indians to cut their losses with their once-promising prospect. Pearson was traded at the end of the season to the New York Yankees with Steve Sundra in exchange for Johnny Allen.{{cite news|title=Yanks, Indians Trade Hurlers|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gJBRAAAAIBAJ&pg=4678,5155864&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=December 12, 1935|page=20|access-date=August 4, 2013|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|agency=United Press International}}

=New York Yankees (1936–40)=

Pearson's trade to the New York Yankees was initially unpopular among fans,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5C98QJqEuBcC&q=monte+pearson+trade+joe+mcCarthy&pg=PA204|title=Joe McCarthy: Architect of the Yankee Dynasty|publisher=McFarland|date=2005|last=Levy|first=Alan Howard|pages=204|isbn=9780786481132|access-date=August 4, 2013}} with Joe McCarthy receiving heavy criticism for dealing Allen—who had a 13–6 record in 1935{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/allenjo02.shtml|title=Johnny Allen Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=August 4, 2013}}—for Pearson.{{cite news|title=Everything That Joe Touches Proves Gold|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19360609&id=-lMsAAAAIBAJ&pg=6535,3569340|date=June 9, 1936|page=7|access-date=August 4, 2013|first=Paul|last=Mickelson|newspaper=Spartanburg Herald-Journal|agency=Associated Press}} However, Pearson repaid his manager's faith in him{{cite news|title=Monte Pearson Making Big Record With Yanks|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=O6tCAAAAIBAJ&pg=5400,4904959&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=June 16, 1936|page=6|access-date=August 4, 2013|newspaper=Middlesboro Daily News}} by churning out the best statistical year in his career. His .731 winning percentage (19–7 record) was third best in the AL; he finished fifth in ERA (3.71) and strikeouts (118) and sixth in wins, though he also recorded the third-highest number of walks in the AL with 135. His performance during the first half of the season resulted in him being selected for the 1936 All-Star Game, though he did not pitch in it.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NLS/NLS193607070.shtml|title=July 7, 1936 All-Star Game Play by Play and Box Score|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|date=July 7, 1936|access-date=August 4, 2013}} In the postseason, the Yankees advanced to the World Series, where they defeated the New York Giants 4–2.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1936_WS.shtml|title=1936 World Series (4–2): New York Yankees (102–51) over New York Giants (92–62)|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=August 4, 2013}} In Game 4, Pearson—who insisted on being included in the rotation{{cite news|title=It's A Lie!|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XjQbAAAAIBAJ&pg=1952,4080606&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=October 6, 1939|page=44|access-date=August 4, 2013|first=Joe|last=Williams|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press}} even after falling ill with pleurisy just before the Series{{cite news|title=Monte Pearson Under Trainer's Care And Yank Pitching Stock Takes Drop|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=w_UvAAAAIBAJ&pg=6208,3429742&dq=monte+pearson+pleurisy&hl=en|date=September 29, 1936|page=9|access-date=August 4, 2013|first=James|last=Cannon|newspaper=The Deseret News}}—limited the Giants to just two runs while striking out seven in a complete game win. Offensively, he managed to get two hits, including a double.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA193610040.shtml|title=October 4, 1936 World Series Game 4, Giants at Yankees Play by Play and Box Score|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|date=October 4, 1936|access-date=August 4, 2013}} The 5–2 victory ended Carl Hubbell's streak of 17 consecutive regular and postseason wins.{{#tag:ref|This streak combines both regular season and postseason statistics. Hubbell extended his regular season winning streak to 24 games, a major league record that still stands.{{cite magazine|title=King Carl's Long Reign|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1065872/2/index.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130807090516/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1065872/2/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2013|date=April 20, 1987|access-date=August 4, 2013|first=Noel|last=Hynd|magazine=Sports Illustrated}}|group=lower-alpha}}

During spring training of {{mlby|1937}}, Pearson injured his right ankle after accidentally stepping onto a rolling ball.{{cite news|title=Baseball Pick-Ups At Training Camps|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-8ZHAAAAIBAJ&pg=7274,5243394&dq=Monte+Pearson&hl=en|date=March 9, 1937|page=4|access-date=August 5, 2013|newspaper=Meriden Record|agency=Associated Press}} He was still able recover in time for the start the season and pitched solidly. In arguably his best start of the year, he threw a one-hit shutout against the Chicago White Sox on May 10; he also recorded three hits and drove in two runs in the 7–0 win.{{cite news|title=Monte Pearson Turns In One-Hit Shutout|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yHgvAAAAIBAJ&pg=7142,4462645&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=May 11, 1937|page=11|access-date=August 12, 2013|newspaper=Ottawa Citizen|agency=Associated Press}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA193705100.shtml|title=May 10, 1937 New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox Play by Play and Box Score|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|date=May 10, 1937|access-date=August 12, 2013}} However, other health problems and injuries—most notably a sore arm{{cite news|title=DiMaggio Cuts Into Gehrig's Batting Lead|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VLsxAAAAIBAJ&pg=2948,5340905&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=July 25, 1937|page=13|access-date=August 5, 2013|newspaper=Reading Eagle|agency=Associated Press}}—began to affect him, limiting his season to just {{frac|144|2|3}} innings pitched in 20 games started and 2 games finished in relief. Despite his many ailments, he still came up clutch in Game 3 of the 1937 World Series. Facing a familiar foe in the New York Giants, Pearson stymied them to a solitary run in {{frac|8|2|3}} innings pitched and received the win as the Yankees cruised to a 5–1 victory,{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NY1/NY1193710080.shtml|title=October 8, 1937 World Series Game 3, Yankees at Giants Play by Play and Box Score|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|date=October 8, 1937|access-date=August 5, 2013}} taking a commanding 3–0 lead in the Series. The Yankees eventually triumphed in 5 games,{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1937_WS.shtml|title=1937 World Series (4–1): New York Yankees (102–52) over New York Giants (95–57)|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=August 5, 2013}} giving Pearson his second World Series ring in as many years with the team.

File:Yankee Stadium Aerial View.jpg at the original Yankee Stadium.|alt=Black and white aerial view of Old Yankee Stadium, looking towards home plate from the outfield.]]

The {{mlby|1938}} season saw Pearson rebound in his regular season numbers. He had the fifth-highest winning percentage (.696), the sixth most wins (16) and the seventh most complete games (17) in the AL, but he struggled with his control, ending the season with 9 wild pitches (second-highest in the AL) and 113 walks (fifth most). During a June 26 road game at Briggs Stadium, he held the Detroit Tigers to three runs in a complete game, 10–3 Yankees win.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET193806260.shtml|title=June 26, 1938 New York Yankees at Detroit Tigers Play by Play and Box Score|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|date=June 26, 1938|access-date=August 6, 2013}} By not giving up any home runs in the game, he halted the Tigers' quest of breaking the MLB record for most consecutive games with a home run for a team.{{cite news|title=Yanks In 10–3 Win Over Detroit Nine|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0700AAAAIBAJ&pg=5294,3542938&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=June 27, 1938|page=4|access-date=August 6, 2013|newspaper=The Montreal Gazette|agency=The Canadian Press}} The highlight of his season came on August 27, when he pitched a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians in the second game of a doubleheader.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA193808272.shtml|title=August 27, 1938 Cleveland Indians at New York Yankees Play by Play and Box Score|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|date=August 27, 1938|access-date=August 7, 2013}} Facing his former team on only two days of rest,{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/50greatestyankee0000tanc|url-access=registration|quote=monte pearson.|title=The 50 Greatest Yankee Games|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|date=March 11, 2005|last=Tan|first=Cecilia|pages=[https://archive.org/details/50greatestyankee0000tanc/page/43 43]–44|access-date=August 7, 2013}} Pearson struck out seven, allowed just two baserunners through walks and retired the last 18 consecutive batters in a 13–0 victory, marking his 13th win of the season{{cite news|title=Monte Pearson Hurls No-Hit Game; Gordon Hits 2 Homers|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=h6tWAAAAIBAJ&pg=6389,4439852&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=August 27, 1938|page=10|access-date=August 7, 2013|newspaper=The Register-Guard|location=Eugene|agency=United Press International}} and 10th consecutive win. This was the first Yankee no-hitter in fifteen years (pitched by Sad Sam Jones), as well as first no-hitter at Yankee Stadium.

{{Quote box|quote="Where does that guy get all that stuff? I've seen some pretty good curveball pitchers, but that fellow can certainly make the ball duck over the corners."|source=— Gabby Hartnett, manager of the Chicago Cubs, after his team was defeated by Pearson in Game 3 of the 1938 World Series.{{cite news|title=Valley's Stake In Series * Players And Coaches With Local Ties Have A Deep History When It Comes To The World Series|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=FB&p_theme=fb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAE856F625CB28A&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|date=October 30, 1991|access-date=August 19, 2013|page=C1|first=Bill|last=McEwen|newspaper=The Fresno Bee}} {{subscription required}}|width=25%|align=left|style=padding:8px;}}

In October, Pearson suffered from a dead arm. Doctors advised him to undergo surgery after X-rays revealed a spur on his elbow. However, he was able to overcome injury once again and pitched in Game 3 of the 1938 World Series.{{cite news|title=Heroic Effort Fails; Bryant Forlorn Hope|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6uNBAAAAIBAJ&pg=6592,5048101&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=October 7, 1938|page=9|access-date=August 12, 2013|first=Gayle|last=Talbot|newspaper=The Telegraph-Herald|location=Dubuque|agency=Associated Press}} Up against the Chicago Cubs, he kept them to two runs (one earned) while striking out nine in a complete game, 5–2 win.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA193810080.shtml|title=October 8, 1938 World Series Game 3, Cubs at Yankees Play by Play and Box Score|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|date=October 8, 1938|access-date=August 9, 2013}} The Yankees completed their Series sweep over the Cubs in the next game,{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1938_WS.shtml|title=1938 World Series (4–0): New York Yankees (99–53) over Chicago Cubs (89–63)|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=August 9, 2013}} giving them their third straight championship.

During the 1938–39 offseason, Pearson became a contract holdout after he rejected the Yankees' initial offer.{{cite news|title=Gus Suhr, Monte Pearson Demand Better Salaries|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=daAtAAAAIBAJ&pg=3106,1985338&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=January 26, 1939|page=12|access-date=August 10, 2013|newspaper=The Day|location=New London|agency=Associated Press}} Reportedly the same amount he had earned the season before ($10,000), he described the contract offer as "not up to [his] expectations." The two sides eventually agreed to a contract worth $13,500. He kept up his good pitching, garnering the seventh-highest winning percentage (.706) in the AL that year, though his ERA ballooned to 4.49. Throughout the season, problems in his pitching arm flared up again, restricting him to just {{frac|146|1|3}} innings pitched and 20 games started. As a result, his inclusion on the postseason roster was not guaranteed; in late September, McCarthy appeared resigned to the fact that Pearson would not "be able to help [him] in this series." However, he managed to shrug off his injury woes and was penciled into the starting rotation for Game 2 of the 1939 World Series. Facing the Cincinnati Reds, he held them hitless through {{frac|7|1|3}} innings pitched—eventually giving up just two singles—while striking out eight and walking one in a complete game, 4–0 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA193910050.shtml|title=October 5, 1939 World Series Game 2, Reds at Yankees Play by Play and Box Score|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|date=October 5, 1939|access-date=August 20, 2013}} Pearson's sublime pitching performance is considered one of the greatest in World Series history;{{cite news|title=Monte Pearson Turns in One of Greatest World Series Pitching Jobs|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Bf9VAAAAIBAJ&pg=6757,2043809&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=October 6, 1939|page=14|access-date=August 20, 2013|newspaper=The Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane|agency=Associated Press}} with a game score of 90, it is one of only eight Fall Classic starts to record a game score of 90 or above.{{cite web|title=Holland's game one of best of past 20 years|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/17992/hollands-game-one-of-best-of-past-20-years?src=mobile|date=October 24, 2011|access-date=August 20, 2013|first=David|last=Schoenfield|work=ESPN|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures}} The Yankees proceeded to sweep the Reds two games later,{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1939_WS.shtml|title=1939 World Series (4–0): New York Yankees (106–45) over Cincinnati Reds (97–57)|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=August 21, 2013}} resulting in their fourth consecutive championship and giving Pearson the distinction of winning a World Series ring in every season of his Yankees tenure.

In {{mlby|1940}}, Pearson's pitching during the first half of the season earned him his second All-Star Game selection, but he was not called upon to pitch in it.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NLS/NLS194007090.shtml|title=July 9, 1940 All-Star Game Play by Play and Box Score|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|date=July 9, 1936|access-date=August 22, 2013}} About a week after the game, on July 17,{{#tag:ref|The Biographical Dictionary of American Sports incorrectly lists the date of the game in which Pearson was injured in as July 15, 1940. He did not pitch on that day. The game in which he faced Bob Feller was on July 17, as confirmed by Baseball-Reference.com.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1940-schedule-scores.shtml|title=1940 New York Yankees Schedule, Box Scores and Splits|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=August 22, 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA194007170.shtml|title=July 17, 1940 Cleveland Indians at New York Yankees Play by Play and Box Score|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|date=July 17, 1940|access-date=August 22, 2013}}|group=lower-alpha}} he tore his shoulder ligament which prematurely shortened his playing career. After pitching 13 innings against Bob Feller and his former team, Pearson eventually won the game but the injury—discovered after a full physical examination on his sore arm a few weeks after the game{{cite news|title=Monte Pearson in N.Y. For Physical Checkup|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=umUyAAAAIBAJ&pg=6123,433448&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=August 3, 1940|page=11|access-date=August 23, 2013|newspaper=The Montreal Gazette|agency=Associated Press}}—ended his season; he finished with a 7–5 record and 3.69 ERA in only {{frac|109|2|3}} innings pitched and 16 games started. He received treatment at the Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore,{{cite news|title=Monte Pearson Is Hospital Case|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RmsiAAAAIBAJ&pg=4920,3988744&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=August 12, 1940|page=10|access-date=August 23, 2013|newspaper=San Jose News|agency=Associated Press}}{{cite news|title=Yankees Sell Pearson to Reds|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=l2koAAAAIBAJ&pg=1908,6228231&dq=monte+pearson+1936+world+series&hl=en|date=December 31, 1940|page=2|access-date=August 22, 2013|newspaper=Daytona Beach Morning Journal|agency=Associated Press}} and at the end of the season, he was placed on waivers and traded to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Don Lang and $20,000.

=Cincinnati Reds and back to the minors (1941)=

Pearson's final major league team was the one he pitched his World Series two-hitter against. Due to his history of injuries, the Yankees refused to offer a guarantee and thus, no other team was willing sign him.{{cite news|title=Pearson May Go to Reds|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fjtPAAAAIBAJ&pg=2742,4583285&dq=monte+pearson+cincinnati+reds&hl=en|date=December 15, 1940|page=B1|access-date=August 23, 2013|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|agency=International News Service}} However, Reds manager Bill McKechnie made the gamble, remarking how Pearson "showed [the Reds] more that day than any National League right-hander showed [them] that season" when he threw the two-hitter against them. Pearson expressed his delight at the trade and looked forward to working with McKechnie.{{cite news|title=Monte Pearson Is Satisfied With Sale to Cincy '9'|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0FUlAAAAIBAJ&pg=6057,5773452&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=December 30, 1940|page=6|access-date=August 23, 2013|newspaper=San Jose News|agency=United Press International}} However, he was unable to rediscover his pre-injury form; in his first start for the Reds,{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/1941-schedule-scores.shtml|title=1941 Cincinnati Reds Schedule, Box Scores and Splits|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=August 23, 2013}} Pearson was battered by the opposing team, giving up six earned runs and five walks to the Chicago Cubs before being pulled out of the game after only {{frac|1|1|3}} innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN194105120.shtml|title=May 12, 1941 Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati Reds Play by Play and Box Score|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|date=May 12, 1941|access-date=August 23, 2013}} In a total of 7 games pitched–4 starts and 3 games finished—for the Reds, he pitched poorly, posting a 1–3 record with a 5.18 ERA in just {{frac|24|1|3}} innings pitched. This dismal showing convinced the Reds to cut ties with Pearson, and he was sold to the Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League on August 21.{{cite news|title=Monte Pearson Sold To Hollywood Club|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/559505681|date=August 22, 1941|access-date=August 23, 2013|page=17|newspaper=The Hartford Courant}} {{subscription required}}

Pearson's sojourn in the minor leagues was brief, lasting just one game. In his only start for the Stars, he pitched a complete game, giving up six hits and three walks in five innings. He announced his retirement from baseball the following year on August 27.

Personal life

Pearson married Cleo Wimer in January 1931. They had two sons and a daughter. He remained with Cleo for thirty-two years, before she filed for divorce in 1962.{{cite news|title=Monte Pearson's Wife Is Granted Divorce|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wWEaAAAAIBAJ&pg=7510,2433759&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=December 28, 1962|page=2|access-date=February 9, 2013|newspaper=The Milwaukee Journal|agency=Associated Press}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} One son, Larry, was signed by the Washington Senators in {{baseball year|1959}}.{{cite news|title=Monte Pearson's Son Signs With Senators|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/907560862.html?dids=907560862:907560862&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Sep+12%2C+1959&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Monte+Pearson%27s+Son+Signs+With+Senators&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130807090456/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/907560862.html?dids=907560862:907560862&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Sep+12,+1959&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Monte+Pearson's+Son+Signs+With+Senators&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2013|date=September 12, 1959|access-date=February 9, 2013|page=14|newspaper=The Hartford Courant|url-access=subscription }} Pearson remarried to Nellie.

During the 1939 offseason, Pearson was nearly killed while hunting with William Rudolph, a 15-year-old high school baseball player from Fresno. Rudolph accidentally fired his shotgun at the same time as Pearson. The shot penetrated Pearson's cap and knocked it from his head.{{cite news|title=Monte Pearson, Yanks Ace, Has Lucky Escape|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cWkhAAAAIBAJ&pg=3481,4258007&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=December 4, 1939|page=6|access-date=July 21, 2013|newspaper=Ellensburg Daily Record|agency=Associated Press}} Pearson, who escaped uninjured, described the incident as "the thrill of [his] life."{{cite news|title=Monte Pearson Gets Thrill of His Life|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KnYoAAAAIBAJ&pg=5134,2720465&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=December 2, 1939|page=10|access-date=July 21, 2013|newspaper=Berkeley Daily Gazette|agency=United Press International}} In 1942, during a leave of absence away from baseball to recover from injury, Pearson worked at the Fresno Air National Guard Base as a firefighter.{{cite news|title=Monte Pearson Washed Up|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EAMuAAAAIBAJ&pg=4481,4446182&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=August 28, 1942|page=15|access-date=February 9, 2013|newspaper=The Montreal Gazette|agency=Associated Press}} After his Major League career ended, he planned on switching to a career in boxing,{{cite news|title=Baseball To Boxing|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vFwiAAAAIBAJ&pg=5746,1848274&dq=monte+pearson+baseball&hl=en|date=January 7, 1943|page=18|access-date=August 10, 2013|newspaper=Reading Eagle}} but returned to Fresno State College and graduated with a degree in chemistry.{{cite news|title=Monte Pearson Arrested On Bribe Counts|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2wFPAAAAIBAJ&pg=5988,4738818&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=May 16, 1962|page=56|access-date=February 9, 2013|newspaper=Toledo Blade|agency=Associated Press}} He became the chief sanitarian of Madera County.{{cite news|title=Monte Pearson Found Guilty|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Db5OAAAAIBAJ&pg=5198,3653870&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=November 10, 1962|page=16|access-date=February 9, 2013|newspaper=Toledo Blade|agency=Associated Press}} He unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the Fresno County Board of Supervisors in 1952.{{cite news|title=Monte Pearson Loses Race For Supervisor In Fresno County|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9_FJAAAAIBAJ&pg=5838,1121193&dq=monte+pearson+die&hl=en|date=November 6, 1952|page=27|access-date=February 9, 2013|newspaper=The Modesto Bee|agency=Associated Press}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

On May 15, 1962, Pearson was arrested and charged with accepting bribes in exchange for approving shoddy septic tanks. In November of that year, he was found guilty of one count of bribery involving $200. The court sentenced him to eight months imprisonment and placed him on probation for three years.{{cite news|title=Monte Pearson, Former Mound Great, Is Dead|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NRdJAAAAIBAJ&pg=4860,3174411&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=January 28, 1978|page=14|access-date=February 9, 2013|newspaper=Youngstown Vindicator|agency=Associated Press}} After a long battle with cancer,{{cite news|title=Yankee Star Pearson Dies|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SPddAAAAIBAJ&pg=2711,3536450&dq=monte+pearson+die&hl=en|date=January 28, 1978|page=14|access-date=February 9, 2013|newspaper=Observer–Reporter|location=Washington, Pennsylvania|agency=Associated Press}} Pearson died on January 27, 1978, in Fresno, California, at the age of 69 and was cremated.

Legacy

Twice an All-Star with a 100–61 record in the regular season, Pearson excelled in the postseason.{{cite news|title=Yankees Sell Pearson to Reds|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=l3EbAAAAIBAJ&pg=6474,5435474&dq=monte+pearson&hl=en|date=December 30, 1940|page=18|access-date=August 21, 2013|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press}} He won all four of his World Series starts, finishing with a 4–0 win–loss record. His 0.729 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) is the lowest of all time in the postseason, while he also has the second-lowest hits per nine innings (4.794) and seventh-lowest ERA (1.01).{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/Playoffs_pitching.shtml|title=All-time and Single-Season Postseason Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=August 21, 2013}} Opposing batters hit only .151 (19-126) against him. Together with teammate Red Ruffing, they held a combined 8–1 record and a 1.79 ERA spanning from the 1936–39 World Series, and the two are viewed as one of the most dominant postseason pitching duos of all time.{{cite news|title=It's simple: Sox pair dominant|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CC&s_site=contracostatimes&p_multi=CC&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=11C9DE04F5DC8360&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|date=October 28, 2007|access-date=August 22, 2013|page=B12|first=Rick|last=Hurd|newspaper=Contra Costa Times}} {{subscription required}}

Pearson appeared on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot in 1958. He received just one vote—0.4% of the vote—and was not included on any subsequent ballots.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_1958.shtml|title=1958 Hall of Fame Voting|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|access-date=August 19, 2013}} He was inducted into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame in 1967.{{cite web|url=http://fresnoahof.org/inductees.html|title=Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees — 1950–69|publisher=Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame|access-date=August 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907113307/http://fresnoahof.org/inductees.html|archive-date=September 7, 2013|url-status=dead}}

Pearson was a better than average hitting pitcher in his 10-year major league career, compiling a .228 batting average (117-for-513) with 58 runs, 24 doubles, 2 home runs, 62 runs batted in (RBIs) and 39 base on balls. For the 1939 Yankees, he hit .321 (17-for-53), his best year for average. He had 10 RBIs for the Indians in 1934 and 20 RBIs in 1936 for the Yankees. In the post-season, in 4 World Series games, he batted .250 (3-for-12) with a run scored.