Herm Doscher
Encyclopedia
John Henry "Herm" Doscher, Sr. (December 20, 1852 – March 20, 1934) was an American
third baseman
and umpire
in the early years of professional baseball
, playing for five different teams in the National Association
and National League
from though . He also served as a regular umpire in both early major leagues
, the NL (1880–81) and American Association
(1887–88, 1890). His son Jack
was a major league pitcher
for several years, mainly for the Brooklyn Superbas
. Jack Doscher was the first son of a major leaguer to also play in the majors.
, Doscher began his playing career in the National Association with the Brooklyn Atlantics
as a right fielder
. He only played in six games that year, but batted
.360, and played in only one game in the season, also in Brooklyn. He didn't play in the Association in , but did return for the season when he played in 22 games, all at third base, for the Washington Nationals
. He didn't hit very well, and was only able to play in the minor leagues
for the next few seasons. One of his stops was with the London Tecumsehs
in , a team that went on to win the championship that season.
He reached the National League again in , when he joined the Troy Trojans. After that season, Doscher was named to the NL umpiring staff, and he worked 51 games in and 79 in before returning to the playing ranks with five games for his newest and last team, the Cleveland Blues
. He appeared in 25 games in , ending his playing career.
for the season. The Cleveland directors had him expelled from the league for "embezzelment and obtaining money under false pretense". It was later proven in NYC court that the original contract was never signed by Detroit, voiding the original contract. He was unanimously reinstated in , and returned to umpiring in the American Association in 1887.
His full-time return as an umpire lasted just three season, , and , but his officiating career was not without notable occurrences. He was involved in two no-hitter
s; one occurred on August 19, , when he was the umpire for Larry Corcoran
's no-hitter, just the fourth no-hitter thrown in the major leagues. The other was Adonis Terry
's no-hitter on May 27, , Terry's second career no-hitter.
On September 21, , with the Rochester Broncos
at the St. Louis Browns
in the second game of a doubleheader, and St. Louis leading 10-3 in the eighth inning, Doscher ejected Rochester's Sandy Griffin
for arguing and called an end to game, giving the victory to St. Louis because Griffin refused to leave the field. It was Doscher's only forfeit
on record as an umpire.
is attributed to him. Doscher died in Buffalo, New York
at the age of 81, and was interred at Elmlawn Cemetery in Tonawanda, New York
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
and umpire
Umpire (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...
in the early years of professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, playing for five different teams in the National Association
National Association of Professional Base Ball Players
The National Association of Professional Base Ball Players , or simply the National Association , was founded in 1871 and continued through the 1875 season...
and 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...
from though . He also served as a regular umpire in both early major leagues
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...
, the NL (1880–81) and 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...
(1887–88, 1890). His son Jack
Jack Doscher
John Henry Doscher, Jr. was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1903-1908. Born in Troy, New York, he played for the Cincinnati Reds, Brooklyn Superbas, and Chicago Cubs. His father Herm Doscher had also been a major league player, as well as an umpire. Jack Doscher died...
was a major league 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...
for several years, mainly for the Brooklyn Superbas
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...
. Jack Doscher was the first son of a major leaguer to also play in the majors.
Playing career
Born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Doscher began his playing career in the National Association with the Brooklyn Atlantics
Brooklyn Atlantics
The Atlantic Base Ball Club of Brooklyn was baseball's first champion and its first dynasty.Established in 1855, Atlantic was a founding member of the National Association of Base Ball Players in 1857. In 1859, with a record of 11 wins and 1 loss, Atlantic emerged as the recognized champions of...
as a right fielder
Right fielder
A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
. He only played in six games that year, but batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.360, and played in only one game in the season, also in Brooklyn. He didn't play in the Association in , but did return for the season when he played in 22 games, all at third base, for the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals (NA)
The Washington Nationals were the first important baseball club in the nation's capital. They played part of one season or parts of two seasons in the National Association, the first professional league, so they are considered a major league team by those who count the NA as a major league...
. He didn't hit very well, and was only able to play 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...
for the next few seasons. One of his stops was with the London Tecumsehs
London Tecumsehs
The historic London Tecumsehs were a professional men's baseball team in London, Ontario, Canada, that were first formed in 1868 — a merger of the Forest City Base Ball Club and the London Base Ball Club — which, according to George Railton's 1856 London directory, consisted of officers J.K. Brown,...
in , a team that went on to win the championship that season.
He reached the National League again in , when he joined the Troy Trojans. After that season, Doscher was named to the NL umpiring staff, and he worked 51 games in and 79 in before returning to the playing ranks with five games for his newest and last team, the Cleveland Blues
Cleveland Blues (NL)
The Cleveland Blues were a Major League Baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio that operated in the National League from 1879 to 1884. In six seasons their best finish was third place in 1880. Hugh Daily threw a no-hitter for the Blues on Sept. 13, 1883. Besides Daily, notable Blues players...
. He appeared in 25 games in , ending his playing career.
Mistaken expulsion and reinstatement
In 1882, he accepted a temporary job as a scout with Cleveland, even though he had signed a contract with the Detroit WolverinesDetroit Wolverines
The Detroit Wolverines were a 19th century baseball team that played in the National League from 1881 to 1888 in the city of Detroit, Michigan. In total, they won 426 games and lost 437, taking their lone pennant in 1887. The team was disbanded following the 1888 season.-Franchise...
for the season. The Cleveland directors had him expelled from the league for "embezzelment and obtaining money under false pretense". It was later proven in NYC court that the original contract was never signed by Detroit, voiding the original contract. He was unanimously reinstated in , and returned to umpiring in the American Association in 1887.
Umpiring career
Known as a colorful, but a no-nonsense, hardline player, he was a natural to the umpiring profession. Once quoted as saying "I've got to play ring master, school teacher, poppa and momma, and doctor in every game", he would use any tactic he could to control the game, even physical force if necessary.His full-time return as an umpire lasted just three season, , and , but his officiating career was not without notable occurrences. He was involved in two 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"...
s; one occurred on August 19, , when he was the umpire for Larry Corcoran
Larry Corcoran
Lawrence J. Corcoran was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was born in Brooklyn, New York.Corcoran debuted in 1880, winning 43 games and leading the Chicago team to the National League championship...
's no-hitter, just the fourth no-hitter thrown in the major leagues. The other was Adonis Terry
Adonis Terry
William H. "Adonis" Terry 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...
's no-hitter on May 27, , Terry's second career no-hitter.
On September 21, , with the Rochester Broncos
Rochester Broncos
The Rochester Broncos were a short-lived baseball team in the American Association, playing only one season, 1890. They finished fifth in the league with a record of 63-63...
at 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...
in the second game of a doubleheader, and St. Louis leading 10-3 in the eighth inning, Doscher ejected Rochester's Sandy Griffin
Sandy Griffin
Tobias Charles "Sandy" Griffin was a Major League Baseball center fielder....
for arguing and called an end to game, giving the victory to St. Louis because Griffin refused to leave the field. It was Doscher's only forfeit
Forfeit (baseball)
In rare cases, baseball games are forfeited, usually in the event when a team is no longer able to play. In the event of forfeiture, the score is recorded as "9 to 0", as per rule 2.00 of the Major League Baseball Rules Book...
on record as an umpire.
Later years
Doscher's occupations in subsequent years include work as a scout; the discovery of future Hall of Famer Willie KeelerWillie Keeler
William Henry Keeler in Brooklyn, New York, nicknamed "Wee Willie", was a right fielder in professional baseball who played from 1892 to 1910, primarily for the Baltimore Orioles and Brooklyn Superbas in the National League, and the New York Highlanders in the American League.- Biography :Keeler's...
is attributed to him. Doscher died 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...
at the age of 81, and was interred at Elmlawn Cemetery in Tonawanda, New York
Tonawanda (town), New York
Tonawanda is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a population of 78,155. The town is at the north border of the county and is the northern suburb of Buffalo...
.