Adonis Terry
Encyclopedia
William H. "Adonis" Terry (August 7, 1864 – February 24, 1915) was an American Major League Baseball
player whose career spanned from his debut with the Brooklyn Atlantics
in , to the Chicago Colts
in . In his 14 seasons, he compiled a 197-196 win
–loss record, winning 20 or more games in a season four different times. He was considered a clean living player and kept himself in great condition in a time when many players were known for their off-field (and sometimes on-field) drunken escapades, including many Hall of Famers.
, Terry began his professional career with the minor league Brooklyn Grays in , who won the Interstate Championship that season. The following season, the team was admitted into the American Association
as the Brooklyn Atlantics
, and he stayed with the team. In that season, the team finished in ninth place, and his win-loss record reflected that. Although his record was 19-35, he did have a good earned run average
of 3.55, and struck out
230 hitters.
Over the next three seasons, Terry had average-to-good seasons, had a combined record of 40 wins and 49 losses, even throwing a no-hitter
against the St. Louis Browns
on July 24, 1886. But it was not until that he turned into a star pitcher. In that season, he had a 13-8 record, a 2.03 ERA, and tossed his second no-hitter, this time against the Louisville Colonels
on May 27, 1888.
In , the team won the American Association championship with Terry winning 22 games. He pitched five games, winning two, in the "World Series" after the season with the New York Giants
, a series that Brooklyn lost six games to three. The Bridegrooms joined the National League
in , and again finished first behind Terry's 26-16 record and the team tied the Louisville team of the American Association in the World Series with three wins and three losses each and one tie. The season turned out to be a disappointment for both Brooklyn and Terry, as the team finished in sixth place and Terry record fell to 6-16 and a 4.22 ERA.
on June 14. He played just one game for Baltimore, a complete games loss, and was then traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates
on June 17 in exchange for Cub Stricker
. He pitched well in his 2-plus seasons for Pittsburgh, winning 18 games in and 12 more in .
and had moderate success in his four seasons with them. He went on to win 21 games in and 15 more in .
On July 13, 1896, he had the unfortunate distinction of giving up all four home run
s to Philadelphia Phillie
hall-of-Famer Ed Delahanty
in a game played at the old West Side Grounds. Pitching the complete game
, he and his Colts were able to prevail, winning the game 9-8. He played only one game the following season in , a complete-game loss, before his career came to end.
His career totals include a 197 wins and 196 losses, a 3.74 ERA, and 1,553 strikeouts in 3,514.3 innings pitched. He was also a versatile player, often playing other positions, including 216 games in the outfield
, with games also played at shortstop
, first base and third base
.
for 39 games in the National League
season. He had filled the umpire position from time to time during his playing days. In total, he umpired 51 games, 48 of them as the home plate umpire, as the custom was that there was only one umpire used in each game.
at the age of 50 from an episode of pneumonia
, and was cremated
.
. He was the number one starting pitcher for two Brooklyn teams that won league titles, won 20 or more games in a season three times and pitched two no-hitters. He also adapted successfully to constant rules changes that directly affected pitchers: these included seeing the pitcher's area moved back during the prime of his career. Supporters also point to career statistics that are similar to other Hall of Famers Rube Waddell
and Jack Chesbro
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player whose career spanned from his debut with the Brooklyn Atlantics
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in , to the Chicago Colts
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
in . In his 14 seasons, he compiled a 197-196 win
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
–loss record, winning 20 or more games in a season four different times. He was considered a clean living player and kept himself in great condition in a time when many players were known for their off-field (and sometimes on-field) drunken escapades, including many Hall of Famers.
Brooklyn
Born in Westfield, MassachusettsWestfield, Massachusetts
Westfield is a city in Hampden County, in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 41,094 at the 2010 census. The ZIP Code is 01085 for homes and businesses, 01086 for Westfield State...
, Terry began his professional career with the minor league Brooklyn Grays in , who won the Interstate Championship that season. The following season, the team was admitted into the American Association
American Association (19th century)
The American Association was a Major League Baseball league that existed for 10 seasons from to . During that time, it challenged the National League for dominance of professional baseball...
as the Brooklyn Atlantics
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, and he stayed with the team. In that season, the team finished in ninth place, and his win-loss record reflected that. Although his record was 19-35, he did have a good earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 3.55, and struck out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
230 hitters.
Over the next three seasons, Terry had average-to-good seasons, had a combined record of 40 wins and 49 losses, even throwing a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
against the St. Louis Browns
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
on July 24, 1886. But it was not until that he turned into a star pitcher. In that season, he had a 13-8 record, a 2.03 ERA, and tossed his second no-hitter, this time against the Louisville Colonels
Louisville Colonels
The Louisville Colonels were a Major League Baseball team that played in the American Association throughout that league's ten-year existence from 1882 until 1891, first as the Louisville Eclipse and later as the Louisville Colonels , the latter name derived from the historic Kentucky colonels...
on May 27, 1888.
In , the team won the American Association championship with Terry winning 22 games. He pitched five games, winning two, in the "World Series" after the season with the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, a series that Brooklyn lost six games to three. The Bridegrooms joined the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
in , and again finished first behind Terry's 26-16 record and the team tied the Louisville team of the American Association in the World Series with three wins and three losses each and one tie. The season turned out to be a disappointment for both Brooklyn and Terry, as the team finished in sixth place and Terry record fell to 6-16 and a 4.22 ERA.
Pittsburgh
On June 10, 1892, Brooklyn released Terry, and was quickly signed by the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles (19th century)
The Baltimore Orioles were a 19th-century American Association and National League team from 1882 to 1899. The club, which featured numerous future Hall of Famers, finished in first place three consecutive years and won the Temple Cup championship in 1896 and 1897...
on June 14. He played just one game for Baltimore, a complete games loss, and was then traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
on June 17 in exchange for Cub Stricker
Cub Stricker
John A. "Cub" Stricker, born John A. Streaker , was an American second baseman in Major League Baseball who played for seven different teams during his 11-season career, the bulk of his playing time being with the Philadelphia Athletics and Cleveland Blues/Spiders.-Career:Born in Philadelphia,...
. He pitched well in his 2-plus seasons for Pittsburgh, winning 18 games in and 12 more in .
Chicago
In , he changed teams for the last time. After pitching in one game for the Pirates, he was then picked up by the Chicago ColtsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and had moderate success in his four seasons with them. He went on to win 21 games in and 15 more in .
On July 13, 1896, he had the unfortunate distinction of giving up all four home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s to Philadelphia Phillie
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
hall-of-Famer Ed Delahanty
Ed Delahanty
Edward James Delahanty , nicknamed "Big Ed", was a Major League Baseball player from 1888 to 1903 for the Philadelphia Quakers, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Infants and Washington Senators, and was known as one of the early great power hitters in the game.He was elected to the Baseball Hall of...
in a game played at the old West Side Grounds. Pitching the complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
, he and his Colts were able to prevail, winning the game 9-8. He played only one game the following season in , a complete-game loss, before his career came to end.
His career totals include a 197 wins and 196 losses, a 3.74 ERA, and 1,553 strikeouts in 3,514.3 innings pitched. He was also a versatile player, often playing other positions, including 216 games in the outfield
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
, with games also played at shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
, first base and third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
.
Umpiring
After his Major League career was over, he became an umpireUmpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
for 39 games in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
season. He had filled the umpire position from time to time during his playing days. In total, he umpired 51 games, 48 of them as the home plate umpire, as the custom was that there was only one umpire used in each game.
Death
Adonis is the honoree of old-time baseball events that are held in his hometown of Westfield, such as the group Westfield Wheelmen Vintage Base Ball Club. Terry died in Milwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
at the age of 50 from an episode of pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
, and was cremated
Cremation
Cremation is the process of reducing bodies to basic chemical compounds such as gasses and bone fragments. This is accomplished through high-temperature burning, vaporization and oxidation....
.
Arguments for his Hall of Fame induction
Several arguments have been brought forth for his induction into the Baseball Hall of FameNational Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
. He was the number one starting pitcher for two Brooklyn teams that won league titles, won 20 or more games in a season three times and pitched two no-hitters. He also adapted successfully to constant rules changes that directly affected pitchers: these included seeing the pitcher's area moved back during the prime of his career. Supporters also point to career statistics that are similar to other Hall of Famers Rube Waddell
Rube Waddell
George Edward Waddell was an American southpaw pitcher in Major League Baseball. In his thirteen-year career he played for the Louisville Colonels , Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Orphans in the National League, and the Philadelphia Athletics and St. Louis Browns in the American League...
and Jack Chesbro
Jack Chesbro
John Dwight Chesbro was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates , New York Highlanders , and Boston Red Sox . His 41 wins during the 1904 season remains an MLB record for the modern era...
.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of Major League Baseball no-hitters