31 home runs in 149 games played. Abernathy was third in the International League in home runs. In 1935, Abernathy sustained a "severe charley horse", as described by The Milwaukee Journal, while playing with the Philadelphia Phillies during spring training. In April, still with the Phillies, it was noted by the Spartanburg Herald-Journal that Abernathy's stats repeated themselves. For instance, Abernathy batted .339 in 1929 and 1930. After spring training, Abernathy returned to the Orioles as he did not make the final 25-man roster. Abernathy batted .309 with 171 hits, 24 doubles, three triples and 43 home runs in 554 games played with the Orioles in 1936. He led the International League in home runs that season. Abernathy spent his final season with the Orioles in 1937. In 148 games, he batted .284 with 155 hits, 29 doubles, two triples and 21 home runs. Abernathy was tied for fifth in the International League in home runs. After the 1937 season, the Baltimore Orioles sold Abernathy to the Buffalo Bisons, also of the International League. During a game on August 5, 1938, while playing with the Bisons, Abernathy was stuck in the head by a baseball from the opposing pitcher and was sent to St. Joseph Hospital in Syracuse, New York, where he was initially in critical condition. The opposing pitcher who threw the injury-inflicting pitch, Jon Gee of the Syracuse Chiefs, went to the hospital after the game to see Abernathy. Abernathy, whose head was wrapped in bandages, told Gee that he knew he did not throw the pitch at him on purpose. Officially diagnosed with a fractured skull, Abernathy underwent surgery performed by Dr. Brooks McCain and was reportedly in an "improved" condition immediately afterwards. While recovering from his injuries, the Bisons and Chiefs played a benefit game for Abernathy and raised $4,000 ($ in today's standards) to pay his medical bills. On September 3, 1939, Abernathy left the hospital and returned home. During the 1938 season, Abernathy batted .323 with 121 hits, 27 doubles, five triples and 21 home runs. Despite being out of play after his injury in 1938, Abernathy still managed to hit the fourth most home runs in the International League. Later career Abernathy made his return to the Southern Association, a league in which he played with from 1931 to 1933 with the Birmingham Barons, in 1939. With the Double-A Knoxville Smokies that season,