Peckinpaugh was the premier AL shortstop in his day. Rangy, full-chested, and broad-shouldered, with big hands and bowed legs, he pursued the ball relentlessly and effectively, if not always gracefully. A steady hitter, he had a 29-game streak in 1919. After nine years with the Yankees, including their first pennant-winning season, he was traded to the Senators. There he paired with young second baseman Bucky Harris in a top combination that produced a record 168 double plays in 1922. Peckinpaugh was a WS hero in 1924, doubling home the winning run in Game Two and saving Game Six with a key fielding play. In 1925 he had a great regular season, hitting .292 and being named AL MVP. But the WS was a disaster. The old pro looked to for reliability made eight errors, several in key spots, as the Senators allowed the Pirates to come back from a 3-1 deficit and lost the Series.
Peckinpaugh had managed the Yankees for 14 games in 1914, and returned to managing with the Indians after retiring as a player. He later served as Cleveland president and general manager. In 17 years as a player, he was thrown out of only one game.
