Elton Chamberlain
Encyclopedia
Elton P. "Ice Box" Chamberlain (November 5, 1867 – September 22, 1929) was a professional baseball
pitcher
. He pitched all or part of 10 seasons in Major League Baseball
between 1886 and 1896. Born in Buffalo, New York
, the right-hander stood 5'9" and weighed 168 lbs.
In several seasons, Chamberlain finished in his league's top ten in a number of pitching categories, including wins
, earned run average
, strikeout
s, and shutout
s. His two best seasons were 1888 (25-11, 2.19) and 1889 (32-15, 2.97). His 1888 St. Louis Browns
team won the American Association
pennant
with a 92-43 record. Chamberlain went 2-3 in that year's "World Series" against the New York Giants
.
An ambidextrous pitcher, Chamberlain alternated arms for four innings of a game on June 16, 1884 while he was in the minor leagues. On May 9, 1888, he had a large lead against the Kansas City Cowboys
and pitched the last two innings left-handed, giving up no runs that way.
On May 30, 1894 Chamberlain was the pitcher when Bobby Lowe
became the first major league player to hit four home run
s in one game.
Chamberlain died at the age of 61. He was interred in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland.
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....
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. He pitched all or part of 10 seasons 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...
between 1886 and 1896. Born in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, the right-hander stood 5'9" and weighed 168 lbs.
In several seasons, Chamberlain finished in his league's top ten in a number of pitching categories, including 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...
, 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...
, strikeout
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....
s, and 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. His two best seasons were 1888 (25-11, 2.19) and 1889 (32-15, 2.97). His 1888 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...
team won 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...
pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
with a 92-43 record. Chamberlain went 2-3 in that year's "World Series" against 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....
.
An ambidextrous pitcher, Chamberlain alternated arms for four innings of a game on June 16, 1884 while he was in the minor leagues. On May 9, 1888, he had a large lead against the Kansas City Cowboys
Kansas City Cowboys (American Association)
The Kansas City Cowboys were a professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri for two seasons from to in the American Association. They were the third, and last incarnation of this franchise name, following the Kansas City Cowboys of the Union Association in and the Kansas City...
and pitched the last two innings left-handed, giving up no runs that way.
On May 30, 1894 Chamberlain was the pitcher when Bobby Lowe
Bobby Lowe
Robert Lincoln "Bobby" Lowe , nicknamed "Link", was an American baseball player, coach and scout. He played Major League Baseball for the Boston Beaneaters , Chicago Cubs , Pittsburgh Pirates , and Detroit Tigers...
became the first major league player to hit 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 in one game.
Chamberlain died at the age of 61. He was interred in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland.