entered the Army. He was among the league leaders in ERA 10 times between 1932 and 1943, including a career-low 2.39 ERA in 1943—the year before Bridges entered the Army. Over his major league career, he compiled an Adjusted ERA+ of 126—ranking 54th best in major league history. Though his unadjusted ERA is less impressive because of the high batting averages in the years in which he pitched, Bridges had an Adjusted ERA+ in excess of 140 on six occasions: 1932–33, 1939–40, 1942–43. He was named an All-Star six times between 1934 and 1940, missing out only in 1938 due to an injury. Bridges was also a consistent leader in strikeouts. He led the AL in strikeouts in 1935 and 1936 and was among the league leaders twelve times: 1931–40, 1942–43. Even more telling, he was among the top three in the league in strikeouts per nine innings pitched on seven occasions: 1931, 1935–36, 1939–40, 1942–43. In 1941, he set the Tigers career strikeout record, surpassing George Mullin's mark of 1,380. His team record for career strikeouts was broken in 1951 by Hal Newhouser, and remained the top mark for a right-hander until Jack Morris broke it in 1988. Bridges' career record with the Tigers was 194–138 with a 3.57 ERA. Bridges said that "Movement, location, and change of speed is the key to pitching success." He was one of future MLB pitcher Ned Garver's favorite players growing up. See also List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise List of Detroit Tigers team records References External links The Deadball Era 1906 births 1968 deaths American League All-Stars American League strikeout champions American League wins champions Baseball players from Tennessee Cincinnati Reds scouts Detroit Tigers coaches Detroit Tigers players Detroit Tigers scouts Evansville Hubs players Major League Baseball pitchers New York Mets scouts People from Smith County, Tennessee Portland Beavers players San Francisco Seals (baseball) players Seattle Rainiers players Tennessee Volunteers baseball players Wheeling Stogies players United States Army personnel of World War II