Arky Vaughan

Joseph Floyd "Arky" Vaughan (March 9, 1912 – August 30, 1952) was an American professional baseball player who spent 14 seasons in Major League Baseball between 1932 and 1948, appearing primarily as a shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Brooklyn Dodgers. Born in Clifty, Arkansas, he acquired his nickname early in life despite leaving the state before his first birthday, and grew up in Fullerton, California.

Vaughan made his professional debut in 1931 at age 19 with the minor league Wichita Aviators of the Western League, where he hit .338 with 21 home runs. After the Aviators became affiliated with the Chicago Cubs following that season, Vaughan was acquired by the Tulsa Oilers, a club tied to the Pittsburgh Pirates. On April 7, 1932, the Pirates acquired him from the Oilers.

He began the 1932 season as the backup to the Pirates' starting shortstop, Tommy Thevenow. Through the first 13 games of the campaign, Vaughan appeared only twice, once as a late-game replacement for Thevenow and once as a pinch-hitter. He went on to play for the Pirates and later the Brooklyn Dodgers over the course of his career.

Vaughan was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985.