Doc Amole
Encyclopedia
Morris George "Doc" Amole (July 5, 1878 – March 9, 1912) was a professional baseball
player who career spanned nine season, including parts of two in Major League Baseball
with the Baltimore Orioles
(1897) and the Washington Senators (1898). On both occasions, Amole was the youngest player in the National League
at the age of 18 and 19, respectively. Over his major league career, Amole comiled a win-loss record of 4–10 with a 4.75 earned run average
(ERA) and 30 strikeouts in 18 games, 12 starts
. In those 12 starts, 10 were complete games. Amole also played in the minor leagues
with the Class-A Wilmington Peaches (1896), the Class-B Reading Actives (1897), the Class-A Buffalo Bisons
(1898–1903) and the Class-A Providence Grays
(1903–1904). Over his career in the minors, Amole compiled a record of 108–137 in 227 games. As a member of the American League
Buffalo Bisons in 1900, a year before the league turned major, Amole threw a no-hitter
against the Detroit Tigers
.
career with the Class-A Wilmington Peaches of the Atlantic League. During a game on July 4, 1896, in the first recorded night game
in Atlantic League history, Amole pulled a practical joke
by replacing the ball with an explosive. Amole threw the pitch to Honus Wagner
who made contact with the explosive, setting off a large spark, causing the crowd to erupt in anger and the already unpopular game was ended immediately. During that season, Amole compiled a record of 22–24 with a 2.54 earned run average
(ERA) in 55 games, 47 starts
. Of those starts, 43 were complete games. Amole led the league in losses and was fifth in wins
. Amole started the 1897 season with the Class-B Reading Actives. He went 12–22 with a 1.75 ERA, 74 strikeouts, 31 complete games and two shutout
s in 36 games, all starts. Amole was third in the Atlantic League in losses that season.
National League
. He made his debut on August 19, 1897, becoming the youngest person in the National League that season at the age of 18. Amole was a "fill-in" pitcher while in Baltimore. On the season, Amole compiled a record of 4–4 with a 2.57 ERA, 19 strikeouts and six complete game in 11 games, seven starts. His ERA led all Orioles pitchers that season. In December 1897, the Baltimore Orioles traded Amole with Jack Doyle
and Heinie Reitz to the Washington Senators in exchange for Doc McJames
, Dan McGann and Gene DeMontreville
. When he made his debut with the Senators, Amole was again the youngest player in the National League at the age of 19. In 1897, Amole went 0–6 with a 7.84 ERA, four complete games and 11 strikeouts in seven games, five starts.
in 1898 playing 24 games with them, going 11–11 with 21 complete games and one shutout. Amole did not play professional baseball in 1899, but did return to the Bisons in 1900. On Opening Day
in 1900, Amole pitched a no-hitter
, making it the first one thrown in American League
history. There was a claim that Amole had thrown the first Opening Day no-hitter in Major League Baseball history, but since the American League was a minor league at the time, the claim is not true. During the 1900 season, Amole went 22–22 with 35 complete games, two shutouts in 47 games, 41 starts. Amongst fellow American League pitchers that season, Amole was second in wins and losses. Amole continued playing with the Bisons in 1901, going 11–25 in 37 games. Amole was first in the Eastern League, which the Bisons became affiliated with after the American League became apart of Major League Baseball, in losses that season. In 1903 with Buffalo, Amole went 14–12 in 28 games. Amole split the 1904 season between the Bisons and the Class-A Providence Grays
. Between the two team, Amole went 8–10. During his final season in professional baseball in 1904, Amole played with the Grays, going 8–11.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player who career spanned nine season, including parts of two in Major League Baseball
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...
with the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore 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...
(1897) and the Washington Senators (1898). On both occasions, Amole was the youngest player 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...
at the age of 18 and 19, respectively. Over his major league career, Amole comiled a win-loss record of 4–10 with a 4.75 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...
(ERA) and 30 strikeouts in 18 games, 12 starts
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....
. In those 12 starts, 10 were complete games. Amole also played in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
with the Class-A Wilmington Peaches (1896), the Class-B Reading Actives (1897), the Class-A Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
(1898–1903) and the Class-A Providence Grays
Providence Grays
The Providence Grays were a Major League Baseball team based in Providence, Rhode Island who played in the National League from until . The Grays played at Messer Field in the Olneyville neighborhood. The team won the National League title twice, in and...
(1903–1904). Over his career in the minors, Amole compiled a record of 108–137 in 227 games. As a member of the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
Buffalo Bisons in 1900, a year before the league turned major, Amole threw 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 Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
.
Early career
In 1896, Amole began his professional baseballProfessional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
career with the Class-A Wilmington Peaches of the Atlantic League. During a game on July 4, 1896, in the first recorded night game
Night game
A night game is a sporting event that takes place, completely or partially, after the local sunset. Depending on the sport, this can be done either with floodlights or with the usual low-light conditions.-Cricket:...
in Atlantic League history, Amole pulled a practical joke
Practical joke
A practical joke is a mischievous trick played on someone, typically causing the victim to experience embarrassment, indignity, or discomfort. Practical jokes differ from confidence tricks in that the victim finds out, or is let in on the joke, rather than being fooled into handing over money or...
by replacing the ball with an explosive. Amole threw the pitch to Honus Wagner
Honus Wagner
-Louisville Colonels:Recognizing his talent, Barrow recommended Wagner to the Louisville Colonels. After some hesitation about his awkward figure, Wagner was signed by the Colonels, where he hit .338 in 61 games....
who made contact with the explosive, setting off a large spark, causing the crowd to erupt in anger and the already unpopular game was ended immediately. During that season, Amole compiled a record of 22–24 with a 2.54 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...
(ERA) in 55 games, 47 starts
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....
. Of those starts, 43 were complete games. Amole led the league in losses and was fifth in wins
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...
. Amole started the 1897 season with the Class-B Reading Actives. He went 12–22 with a 1.75 ERA, 74 strikeouts, 31 complete games and two shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
s in 36 games, all starts. Amole was third in the Atlantic League in losses that season.
Major League Baseball
During the 1897 season, Amole joined the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball'sMajor 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...
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...
. He made his debut on August 19, 1897, becoming the youngest person in the National League that season at the age of 18. Amole was a "fill-in" pitcher while in Baltimore. On the season, Amole compiled a record of 4–4 with a 2.57 ERA, 19 strikeouts and six complete game in 11 games, seven starts. His ERA led all Orioles pitchers that season. In December 1897, the Baltimore Orioles traded Amole with Jack Doyle
Jack Doyle (baseball)
John Joseph "Jack" Doyle was an Irish-American first baseman in Major League Baseball whose career spanned 17 seasons, mainly in the National League.He was born in Killorglin, Ireland, and emigrated to the U.S...
and Heinie Reitz to the Washington Senators in exchange for Doc McJames
Doc McJames
James McCutchen McJames was a former professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of six seasons with the Washington Senators, Baltimore Orioles and Brooklyn Superbas. He was the National League strikeout champion in 1897 with the Washington Senators...
, Dan McGann and Gene DeMontreville
Gene DeMontreville
Eugene Napoleon DeMontreville , was a professional baseball player who played second base in the Major Leagues from 1894-1904. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Senators , Washington Senators , Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, Brooklyn Dodgers, Boston Braves, and St...
. When he made his debut with the Senators, Amole was again the youngest player in the National League at the age of 19. In 1897, Amole went 0–6 with a 7.84 ERA, four complete games and 11 strikeouts in seven games, five starts.
Later career
Amole joined the Class-A Buffalo BisonsBuffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
in 1898 playing 24 games with them, going 11–11 with 21 complete games and one shutout. Amole did not play professional baseball in 1899, but did return to the Bisons in 1900. On Opening Day
Opening Day
Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball and most of the minor leagues, this day falls during the first week of April. For baseball fans, Opening Day serves as a symbol of rebirth; writer Thomas Boswell once penned a book...
in 1900, Amole pitched 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"...
, making it the first one thrown in American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
history. There was a claim that Amole had thrown the first Opening Day no-hitter in Major League Baseball history, but since the American League was a minor league at the time, the claim is not true. During the 1900 season, Amole went 22–22 with 35 complete games, two shutouts in 47 games, 41 starts. Amongst fellow American League pitchers that season, Amole was second in wins and losses. Amole continued playing with the Bisons in 1901, going 11–25 in 37 games. Amole was first in the Eastern League, which the Bisons became affiliated with after the American League became apart of Major League Baseball, in losses that season. In 1903 with Buffalo, Amole went 14–12 in 28 games. Amole split the 1904 season between the Bisons and the Class-A Providence Grays
Providence Grays
The Providence Grays were a Major League Baseball team based in Providence, Rhode Island who played in the National League from until . The Grays played at Messer Field in the Olneyville neighborhood. The team won the National League title twice, in and...
. Between the two team, Amole went 8–10. During his final season in professional baseball in 1904, Amole played with the Grays, going 8–11.