Jiggs Parrott
Encyclopedia
Walter Edward "Jiggs" Parrott (July 14, 1871 April 14, 1898) was a professional baseball
player whose career spanned eight seasons, four of which were spent with the Major League Baseball
(MLB) Chicago Colts (1892–95). Parrott, an infielder
, compiled a career batting average
of .235 with 174 runs scored, 309 hits
, 35 doubles
, 23 triples
, six home run
s and 152 runs batted in (RBIs) in 317 games played
. Although the majority of his career was spent in the major leagues, Parrott also played in minor league baseball
. He got his start playing amateur baseball with the East Portland Willamettes. His professional baseball debut came in 1890 as a member of the Portland Webfeet
. Parrott was the first MLB player from Oregon
. He stood at 5 in 11 in (180.34 cm) and weighed 160 pounds (72.6 kg). His brother, Tom Parrott
, was also an MLB player and a teammate of his on the Chicago Colts.
of Portland, Oregon
on July 14, 1871 to Thomas H. Parrott and the former Eliza Ann Rhodes. Thomas H. Parrott
was born in England
, but moved to Yamhill County, Oregon
in 1857. Although he was training to be a shoemaker in England, when Thomas H. Parrott moved to Portland, he opened a music business. He organized the East Portland Brass Band. Jiggs Parrott had seven siblings: six brothers and one sister. Several of his siblings went on to play professional baseball
and worked in music. Parrott played sandlot ball
in Portland during his youth. He would also play with his classmates while attending Portland Public Schools. Eventually, Parrott and his brothers, Dode and Tom
, signed with the East Portland Willamettes
, an amateur baseball team.
of the Pacific Northwest League
. His brother, Tom Parrott, was his teammate on the Portland club. On the season, Jiggs Parrott batted
.268 with 71 runs scored, 104 hits
, 24 doubles
, six triples
, five home run
s, and 26 stolen base
s in 94 games played
. He was second in the league in home runs, third in hits and fourth in doubles. Defensively that season, he played third base
. Parrott continued to play with the Portland club in 1891, who were now re-named the Gladiators
. During the season, the Spokane Daily Chronicle stated that, "'Jiggs' [Parrott] was as much at home at third [base] as ever, and his throws to first [base] continue to excite the admiration of all the bleachers
." At the start of the 1892 season, Parrott joined the Minneapolis Minnies
of the Class-A Western League. Before the start of the season, The Sporting News
said that Parrott "has the build of a successful third baseman. He is tall and spare in flesh. He has been in a gymnasium all winter." With Minneapolis that season, he batted .317 with 31 runs scored, 53 hits, 13 doubles, and six home runs in 41 games played. He was tied for second in the league with James Graham
, Joseph Katz and Billy O'Brien
in home runs.
, the manager
of the Chicago Colts, offered Parrott a Major League Baseball
(MLB) contract to play with his club. Parrott made his MLB debut on July 11, 1892. During that game, he stuck out
twice and made two errors
. He was the first player from the State of Oregon to appear in an MLB game. Parrott hit second in the Colts' batting order
for most of the season. In his first MLB season, Parrott batted .201 with 38 runs scored, 67 hits, eight doubles, five triples, two home runs, 22 runs batted in (RBIs), and seven stolen bases in 78 games played. He finished the season third in fielding percentage
amongst National League
third basemen (.891), behind Billy Nash
and George Davis. Before the start of the 1893 season, The Sporting Life wrote that Parrott "is somewhat of an erratic player. There are times when he plays good ball, but just when good steady play is necessary, he is very liable to get a case of 'rattles.'" However, in June, The Sporting Life changed its tune and called Parrott's work at third base a "little less than brilliant". It was reported that Anson was impressed by Parrott as a person, calling him a "well-behaved young man" despite some criticism he was getting from the media and fans. During the 1893 season, the Colts signed pitcher Tom Parrott, Jiggs Parrott's brother. The Washington Post
reported that Tom Parrott bought out his contract with his former team so he could play with his brother in Chicago. The two Parrott brothers were the only two players from Oregon to play in the MLB during the 19th century. Jiggs Parrott was moved to seventh in Chicago's batting order during the year. In his second season, Parrott batted .244 with 54 runs scored, 111 hits, 10 doubles, nine triples, one home run, 65 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases in 110 games played. His fielding percentage at third base was the fifth highest in the National League (.904), behind Jack Crooks
, Denny Lyons
, George Pinkney and Billy Nash.
At the start of the 1894 season, Parrott was converted to a second baseman
, making way for Charlie Irwin
at third base. Manager Cap Anson was criticized by The Sporting Life for continuing to play Parrott. The publication stated, "It is true that [Anson] holds Parrot in high esteem and insists that 'Jiggs' is a great infielder, hence a suffering public may confidently expect to witness still further attempts of 'Jiggs' to hold down the second base bag." On the season, Parrott batted .248 with 82 runs scored, 130 hits, 17 doubles, nine triples, three home runs, 65 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases in 126 games played. In 1895, Anson signed a new second baseman, Ace Stewart
from Sioux City, Iowa
, which demoted Parrott to the role of utility player
. Anson responded to the criticism he had been taking for keeping Parrott by stating, "I realize that 'Jiggs' is not popular with the Chicago crowds, so we will play him in games abroad only." However, The Sporting Life responded by saying, "The local scribes and fans thought we had buried the lanky 'Jigglets,' so far as Chicago was concerned, but he bobs up serenely." Parrott's final MLB game came on June 6, 1895. He played just three games with Chicago that season. In those games, he batted .250 with one hit in four at-bats. He was released early in the season.
of the Western Association
. On the season with Rockford, he batted .351 with 18 runs scored, 40 hits, five doubles and two triples in 26 games played. In 1896, he started the season with the Grand Rapids Rippers/Gold Bugs of the Class-A Western League as their starting third baseman. On June 22, he was released by the Grand Rapids club. Parrott then signed with the Columbus Buckeyes/Senators
, also of the Western League. Combined between the two clubs that year, he batted .306 in 86 games played. In 1897, he re-signed with the Columbus Senators. As a member of the Columbus club, The Milwaukee Journal noted in September that Parrott had "been playing a great fielding game". However, he appeared in just one game with the Senators, getting one hit in four at-bats. He then signed with the Dubuque, Iowa
club of the Class-B Western Association. In 15 games, he batted .213 with six runs scored and 13 hits.
in hopes of re-gaining his health. When in New Mexico, he reported that the weather was too cold and that he was planning to move to Arizona
where the climate is more mild. On April 14, 1898, while in a hospital in Phoenix, Arizona
, Parrott died of tuberculosis
. Earlier that day, Parrott had telegraphed his father, Thomas H. Parrott, back in Portland alerting him that it was not likely he would live two more days. Upon receiving the telegram, Thomas H. Parrott sent his son, Archie Parrott, on a train to Arizona to be with the dying Jiggs Parrott. However, after the train left the station in Portland, the Parrott family got word that Jiggs Parrott had died. Archie Parrott continued to Arizona to retrieve his brother's remains. His remains were returned on April 23. Parrott's funeral was held on April 25, at his home in East Portland. His pall-bearers were his former teammates from the Portland Willamettes: Joseph Beveridge, Charles Neale, Frank Buchtel, William Kern, Fred Bailey, and John Rankin. According to The Oregonian
hundreds attended his funeral and 500 people attended his burial at Lone Fir Cemetery
in Portland.
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 whose career spanned eight seasons, four of which were spent with the 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...
(MLB) Chicago Colts (1892–95). Parrott, an infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
, compiled a career batting average
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 :...
of .235 with 174 runs scored, 309 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, 35 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 23 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, six 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 and 152 runs batted in (RBIs) in 317 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
. Although the majority of his career was spent in the major leagues, Parrott also played in minor league baseball
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...
. He got his start playing amateur baseball with the East Portland Willamettes. His professional baseball debut came in 1890 as a member of the Portland Webfeet
Portland Webfeet
The Portland Webfeet were a Minor League Baseball team in the Pacific Northwest League. They were located in Portland, Oregon and played at Columbia Park. They were active from to ....
. Parrott was the first MLB player from Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. He stood at 5 in 11 in (180.34 cm) and weighed 160 pounds (72.6 kg). His brother, Tom Parrott
Tom Parrott
Thomas William "Tacky Tom" Parrott was a former professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of four seasons with the Chicago Colts, Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Browns...
, was also an MLB player and a teammate of his on the Chicago Colts.
Early life
Walter Edward "Jiggs" Parrott was born on the east sideEast Portland, Oregon
East Portland was a city in the U.S. state of Oregon that was consolidated into Portland in 1891. It was founded on a land claim by James B. Stephens in 1846, who bought a land claim from John McLoughlin of the Hudson's Bay Company...
of Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
on July 14, 1871 to Thomas H. Parrott and the former Eliza Ann Rhodes. Thomas H. Parrott
Thomas H. Parrott
Thomas Henry Parrott was an English musician. He operated a music business in East Portland, Oregon, which was noted as energizing the communities business environment.-Early life:...
was born in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, but moved to Yamhill County, Oregon
Yamhill County, Oregon
-National protected areas:*Siuslaw National Forest *Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 84,992 people, 28,732 households, and 21,376 families residing in the county. The population density was 119 people per square mile . There were 30,270...
in 1857. Although he was training to be a shoemaker in England, when Thomas H. Parrott moved to Portland, he opened a music business. He organized the East Portland Brass Band. Jiggs Parrott had seven siblings: six brothers and one sister. Several of his siblings went on to play professional baseball
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....
and worked in music. Parrott played sandlot ball
Sandlot ball
Sandlot ball is a North American adolescent game that generally follows the basic rules of baseball. More specific rules can be set for games and may vary each time the game is played. These rules are usually agreed upon before the game begins by teams of young boys or girls usually from the same...
in Portland during his youth. He would also play with his classmates while attending Portland Public Schools. Eventually, Parrott and his brothers, Dode and Tom
Tom Parrott
Thomas William "Tacky Tom" Parrott was a former professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of four seasons with the Chicago Colts, Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Browns...
, signed with the East Portland Willamettes
Portland Webfeet
The Portland Webfeet were a Minor League Baseball team in the Pacific Northwest League. They were located in Portland, Oregon and played at Columbia Park. They were active from to ....
, an amateur baseball team.
Early minor league career (1890–92)
In 1890, Parrott began his professional baseball career with the Portland WebfeetPortland Webfeet
The Portland Webfeet were a Minor League Baseball team in the Pacific Northwest League. They were located in Portland, Oregon and played at Columbia Park. They were active from to ....
of the Pacific Northwest League
Pacific Northwest League
The Pacific Northwest League was a professional Minor League Baseball league based in the Pacific Northwest. It was the first professional baseball league ever in the region.-Founding:...
. His brother, Tom Parrott, was his teammate on the Portland club. On the season, Jiggs Parrott 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 :...
.268 with 71 runs scored, 104 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, 24 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, six triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, five 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, and 26 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s in 94 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
. He was second in the league in home runs, third in hits and fourth in doubles. Defensively that season, he played third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
. Parrott continued to play with the Portland club in 1891, who were now re-named the Gladiators
Portland Gladiators
The Portland Gladiators were a Minor League Baseball team in the New Pacific League. They were based in Portland, Oregon and only lasted one season, in , before the league folded in mid-season. They ended up wining the championship game. One notable player for the Gladiators was Charlie...
. During the season, the Spokane Daily Chronicle stated that, "'Jiggs' [Parrott] was as much at home at third [base] as ever, and his throws to first [base] continue to excite the admiration of all the bleachers
Fan (person)
A Fan, sometimes also called aficionado or supporter, is a person with a liking and enthusiasm for something, such as a band or a sports team. Fans of a particular thing or person constitute its fanbase or fandom...
." At the start of the 1892 season, Parrott joined the Minneapolis Minnies
Minneapolis Millers
The Minneapolis Millers were an American professional minor league baseball team that played in Minneapolis, Minnesota, until 1960. In the 19th century a different Minneapolis Millers were part of the Western League.The team played first in Athletic Park and later Nicollet Park.The name Minneapolis...
of the Class-A Western League. Before the start of the season, The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
said that Parrott "has the build of a successful third baseman. He is tall and spare in flesh. He has been in a gymnasium all winter." With Minneapolis that season, he batted .317 with 31 runs scored, 53 hits, 13 doubles, and six home runs in 41 games played. He was tied for second in the league with James Graham
James Graham (baseball)
James Graham was a 19th century Major League Baseball player. He played for the Philadelphia Athletics of the American Association in four games during the 1889 season. He played in the minor leagues through 1897.-External links:*...
, Joseph Katz and Billy O'Brien
Billy O'Brien
William Smith O'Brien was a Major League Baseball first baseman. He was a native of Albany, New York.O'Brien played for the St. Paul Saints and Kansas City Cowboys, both of the Union Association, in 1884. He also played for the National League Washington Senators and the Brooklyn Gladiators...
in home runs.
Chicago Colts (1892–95)
During the 1892 season, Cap AnsonCap Anson
Adrian Constantine Anson , nicknamed "Cap" and "Pop", was a National Association and Major League Baseball first baseman...
, the manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
of the Chicago Colts, offered Parrott a 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...
(MLB) contract to play with his club. Parrott made his MLB debut on July 11, 1892. During that game, he stuck 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....
twice and made two errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
. He was the first player from the State of Oregon to appear in an MLB game. Parrott hit second in the Colts' batting order
Batting order (baseball)
The batting order, or batting lineup, in baseball is the sequence in which the nine members of the offense take their turns in batting against the pitcher. The batting order is the main component of a team's offensive strategy. The batting order is set by the manager before the game begins...
for most of the season. In his first MLB season, Parrott batted .201 with 38 runs scored, 67 hits, eight doubles, five triples, two home runs, 22 runs batted in (RBIs), and seven stolen bases in 78 games played. He finished the season third in fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
amongst 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...
third basemen (.891), behind Billy Nash
Billy Nash
William Mitchell Nash was a Major League Baseball third baseman. He played fifteen seasons in the majors, from until . He also served as player-manager of the Philadelphia Phillies in .-See also:...
and George Davis. Before the start of the 1893 season, The Sporting Life wrote that Parrott "is somewhat of an erratic player. There are times when he plays good ball, but just when good steady play is necessary, he is very liable to get a case of 'rattles.'" However, in June, The Sporting Life changed its tune and called Parrott's work at third base a "little less than brilliant". It was reported that Anson was impressed by Parrott as a person, calling him a "well-behaved young man" despite some criticism he was getting from the media and fans. During the 1893 season, the Colts signed pitcher Tom Parrott, Jiggs Parrott's brother. The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
reported that Tom Parrott bought out his contract with his former team so he could play with his brother in Chicago. The two Parrott brothers were the only two players from Oregon to play in the MLB during the 19th century. Jiggs Parrott was moved to seventh in Chicago's batting order during the year. In his second season, Parrott batted .244 with 54 runs scored, 111 hits, 10 doubles, nine triples, one home run, 65 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases in 110 games played. His fielding percentage at third base was the fifth highest in the National League (.904), behind Jack Crooks
Jack Crooks
John Charles "Jack" Crooks was an American Major League Baseball infielder born in St. Paul, Minnesota...
, Denny Lyons
Denny Lyons
Dennis Patrick Aloysius Lyons was a Major League Baseball player. He played third base for the Providence Grays , Philadelphia Athletics , St. Louis Browns , New York Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates .Lyons was born in Cincinnati, Ohio...
, George Pinkney and Billy Nash.
At the start of the 1894 season, Parrott was converted to a second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
, making way for Charlie Irwin
Charlie Irwin
Charles Edwin Irwin , is a former professional baseball player who played third base in the Major Leagues from 1893-1902. He would play for the Chicago Colts, Cincinnati Reds, and Brooklyn Superbas of the National League.Irwin died when he was hit by a bus in Chicago.-External links:...
at third base. Manager Cap Anson was criticized by The Sporting Life for continuing to play Parrott. The publication stated, "It is true that [Anson] holds Parrot in high esteem and insists that 'Jiggs' is a great infielder, hence a suffering public may confidently expect to witness still further attempts of 'Jiggs' to hold down the second base bag." On the season, Parrott batted .248 with 82 runs scored, 130 hits, 17 doubles, nine triples, three home runs, 65 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases in 126 games played. In 1895, Anson signed a new second baseman, Ace Stewart
Ace Stewart
Asa "Ace" Stewart was a Major League Baseball player. Stewart played for Chicago Colts in the season. He batted and threw right-handed.Stewart was born and died in Terre Haute, Indiana.-External links:*...
from Sioux City, Iowa
Sioux City, Iowa
Sioux City is a city in Plymouth and Woodbury counties in the western part of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 82,684 in the 2010 census, a decline from 85,013 in the 2000 census, which makes it currently the fourth largest city in the state....
, which demoted Parrott to the role of utility player
Utility player
In sport, a utility player is one who can play several positions competently, a sort of jack of all trades. Sports in which the term is often used include association football , baseball, rugby, rugby league, water polo and softball....
. Anson responded to the criticism he had been taking for keeping Parrott by stating, "I realize that 'Jiggs' is not popular with the Chicago crowds, so we will play him in games abroad only." However, The Sporting Life responded by saying, "The local scribes and fans thought we had buried the lanky 'Jigglets,' so far as Chicago was concerned, but he bobs up serenely." Parrott's final MLB game came on June 6, 1895. He played just three games with Chicago that season. In those games, he batted .250 with one hit in four at-bats. He was released early in the season.
Later career (1895–97)
After being released by the MLB Chicago Colts, Parrott returned to the minor leagues with the Class-B Rockford Forest Citys/RedsRockford Forest Citys
Rockford Forest Citys , from Rockford, Illinois was one of the first professional baseball clubs. Rockford played for one season during the National Association inaugural year of 1871.-Origins:...
of the Western Association
Western Association
The Western Association was the name of five different leagues in American minor league baseball during the 19th and 20th centuries.The oldest league, originally established as the Northwestern League in 1883, was refounded as the Western Association on October 28, 1887...
. On the season with Rockford, he batted .351 with 18 runs scored, 40 hits, five doubles and two triples in 26 games played. In 1896, he started the season with the Grand Rapids Rippers/Gold Bugs of the Class-A Western League as their starting third baseman. On June 22, he was released by the Grand Rapids club. Parrott then signed with the Columbus Buckeyes/Senators
Columbus Senators
The Columbus Senators Minor league baseball team was born in as a founding member of the Tri-State League. After that, the Senators played in the Western League , Interstate League Western Association and American Association...
, also of the Western League. Combined between the two clubs that year, he batted .306 in 86 games played. In 1897, he re-signed with the Columbus Senators. As a member of the Columbus club, The Milwaukee Journal noted in September that Parrott had "been playing a great fielding game". However, he appeared in just one game with the Senators, getting one hit in four at-bats. He then signed with the Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
club of the Class-B Western Association. In 15 games, he batted .213 with six runs scored and 13 hits.
Death
After the 1897 baseball season, he returned to his home in Portland, Oregon with his health deteriorating. In December, Parrott traveled to New MexicoNew Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
in hopes of re-gaining his health. When in New Mexico, he reported that the weather was too cold and that he was planning to move to Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
where the climate is more mild. On April 14, 1898, while in a hospital in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, Parrott died of tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
. Earlier that day, Parrott had telegraphed his father, Thomas H. Parrott, back in Portland alerting him that it was not likely he would live two more days. Upon receiving the telegram, Thomas H. Parrott sent his son, Archie Parrott, on a train to Arizona to be with the dying Jiggs Parrott. However, after the train left the station in Portland, the Parrott family got word that Jiggs Parrott had died. Archie Parrott continued to Arizona to retrieve his brother's remains. His remains were returned on April 23. Parrott's funeral was held on April 25, at his home in East Portland. His pall-bearers were his former teammates from the Portland Willamettes: Joseph Beveridge, Charles Neale, Frank Buchtel, William Kern, Fred Bailey, and John Rankin. According to The Oregonian
The Oregonian
The Oregonian is the major daily newspaper in Portland, Oregon, owned by Advance Publications. It is the oldest continuously published newspaper on the U.S. west coast, founded as a weekly by Thomas J. Dryer on December 4, 1850...
hundreds attended his funeral and 500 people attended his burial at Lone Fir Cemetery
Lone Fir Cemetery
Lone Fir Cemetery in the southeast section of Portland, Oregon, United States is a cemetery owned and maintained by Metro, a regional government entity. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the first burial was in 1846 with the cemetery established in 1855...
in Portland.