Carl Hubbell
This left-handed pitcher baffled hitters with his revolutionary screwball and delivered one of the most dominant performances in All-Star history.
1903–1988 (age 85)·American baseball player·Birthday: June 22·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Carl Hubbell, a soft-spoken Oklahoman, transformed a seemingly career-ending injury into a baseball revolution. After hurting his arm, he mastered the screwball—a pitch that broke opposite to a curveball—and turned it into his weapon of choice. Pitching for the New York Giants for his entire 16-season career, 'King Carl' or 'The Meal Ticket' was the model of consistency and control. His legend was cemented in the 1934 All-Star Game, where he famously struck out five future Hall of Famers in a row: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin. Hubbell led the Giants to three pennants, winning the National League MVP award twice, and his name became shorthand for pitching excellence. His loyalty was legendary; he remained on the Giants' payroll in various capacities for over 60 years, bridging the team's move from New York to San Francisco.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Carl was born in 1903, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Carl Was Born
The biggest hits of 1903
Carl's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1903Born
Wright brothers achieve first powered flight
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1908Started school
Ford Model T goes into production
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1916Became a teenager
The Battle of the Somme claims over a million casualties
President: Woodrow Wilson
1919Could drive
Treaty of Versailles signed; Prohibition ratified
President: Woodrow Wilson
1921Could vote
First commercial radio broadcasts
President: Warren G. Harding"My Man" — Fanny Brice
1924Turned 21
First Winter Olympics held in Chamonix, France
President: Calvin Coolidge"It Had to Be You" — Isham Jones
1933Turned 30
FDR's New Deal launches; Prohibition ends
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stormy Weather" — Ethel WatersBest Picture: Cavalcade
1943Turned 40
Allies invade Sicily; Battle of Stalingrad ends
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,290Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I've Heard That Song Before" — Harry JamesBest Picture: Casablanca
1953Turned 50
DNA structure discovered by Watson and Crick
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,750Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Song from Moulin Rouge" — Percy FaithBest Picture: From Here to Eternity
1963Turned 60
JFK assassinated in Dallas; Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,100Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Sugar Shack" — Jimmy Gilmer & The FireballsBest Picture: Tom Jones
1973Turned 70
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1983Turned 80
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1988Died at 85
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
Key Achievements
- Struck out five consecutive Hall of Famers (Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx, Simmons, Cronin) in the 1934 All-Star Game.
- Won the National League Most Valuable Player award in 1933 and 1936.
- Pitched a record 46 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings in 1933.
- Led the New York Giants to World Series championships in 1933 and 1936 (though they lost in 1936 and 1937).
Did You Know?
His nickname 'The Meal Ticket' reflected his reliability as the Giants' ace who guaranteed a chance to win.
Hubbell's number 11 was the first number retired by the New York Giants franchise.
He was ambidextrous as a child and could throw and write with both hands before focusing on his left.
He worked for the Giants organization for over 60 years, from player to farm system director.
“The screwball is my bread and butter; it saved my career.”
