Dickie Kerr
Encyclopedia
Richard Henry "Dickey" Kerr (July 3, 1893 – May 4, 1963) was a starting pitcher
for the Chicago White Sox
from -. As a rookie, he won 13 games and both his starts in the 1919 World Series
, which would lead to the permanent suspensions of eight of his teammates in the Black Sox Scandal
. In later years, Kerr would receive praise for his honest play during the Series.
In 1921, he went 19-17 and led the league in giving up 357 hits in 308 2/3 innings pitched. After the season, he was suspended from organized baseball for violating the reserve clause in his contract.
Kerr attempted a comeback in 1925, pitching in 12 games and compiling a record of 0-1 in 36 2/3 innings, mostly out of the bullpen. He finished his career with a record of 53 wins against 34 losses for a winning percentage of .609. His career ERA
over three-plus seasons was 3.84.
After his playing days, Kerr was a coach and minor league manager. He was baseball coach at Rice University
in 1927. Stan Musial
played for Kerr while he was the manager of the Daytona Beach Islanders
.
Dickey Kerr died in Houston
, two months shy of his 70th birthday.
In the 1988
film Eight Men Out
, about the Black Sox scandal, Kerr was portrayed by actor Jace Alexander
. The film inaccurately portrayed Kerr as a right-handed pitcher when in fact he was a lefty.
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
for the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
from -. As a rookie, he won 13 games and both his starts in the 1919 World Series
1919 World Series
The 1919 World Series matched the American League champion Chicago White Sox against the National League champion Cincinnati Reds. Although most World Series have been of the best-of-seven format, the 1919 World Series was a best-of-nine series...
, which would lead to the permanent suspensions of eight of his teammates in the Black Sox Scandal
Black Sox Scandal
The Black Sox Scandal took place around and during the play of the American baseball 1919 World Series. Eight members of the Chicago White Sox were banned for life from baseball for intentionally losing games, which allowed the Cincinnati Reds to win the World Series...
. In later years, Kerr would receive praise for his honest play during the Series.
In 1921, he went 19-17 and led the league in giving up 357 hits in 308 2/3 innings pitched. After the season, he was suspended from organized baseball for violating the reserve clause in his contract.
Kerr attempted a comeback in 1925, pitching in 12 games and compiling a record of 0-1 in 36 2/3 innings, mostly out of the bullpen. He finished his career with a record of 53 wins against 34 losses for a winning percentage of .609. His career ERA
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...
over three-plus seasons was 3.84.
After his playing days, Kerr was a coach and minor league manager. He was baseball coach at Rice University
Rice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
in 1927. Stan Musial
Stan Musial
Stanley Frank "Stan" Musial is a retired professional baseball player who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals . Nicknamed "Stan the Man", Musial was a record 24-time All-Star selection , and is widely considered to be one of the greatest hitters in baseball...
played for Kerr while he was the manager of the Daytona Beach Islanders
Daytona Beach Islanders
Daytona Beach Islanders was the name used by several different minor league baseball teams that have all played in the Florida State League.-History:...
.
Dickey Kerr died in Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, two months shy of his 70th birthday.
In the 1988
1988 in film
-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:* Act of Piracy* Action Jackson, starring Carl Weathers, Craig T. Nelson, Vanity, Sharon Stone* The Adventures of Baron Munchausen* Akira* Alice...
film Eight Men Out
Eight Men Out
Eight Men Out is an American dramatic sports film, released in 1988 and based on Eliot Asinof 1963 book 8 Men Out. It was written and directed by John Sayles....
, about the Black Sox scandal, Kerr was portrayed by actor Jace Alexander
Jace Alexander
Jace Alexander is an American television director and former actor.-Biography:Alexander was born Jason Alexander in New York City, the only son of actress Jane Alexander and her first husband Robert, founder and former director of The Living Stage...
. The film inaccurately portrayed Kerr as a right-handed pitcher when in fact he was a lefty.