Joseph “Arky” Vaughan

Joseph “Arky” Vaughan was born in Arkansas but raised in California where he was a high school football teammate of Richard Nixon.

Vaughan began his professional career in Wichita at the age of 19 with the 1931 Wichita Aviators.  He hit .338 with 21 home runs in what would be his only season in the minor leagues.

The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Vaughan in 1932.  In 1935, he led the majors in hitting, with a .385 average.  He was an eight-time all-star and hit two home runs in the 1941 All-Star Game.

Vaughan also played four seasons with the Brooklyn Dodgers.  

In 1952, he and a friend drowned while fishing.  Vaughan was 40 years old.  He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985.  

In Bill James’ 2001 New Historical Baseball Abstract, Vaughan is rated as the second-best shortstop in major league history, behind fellow Pirate and mentor Honus Wagner.

For more, read Arky Vaughan’s Society for American Baseball Research bio.