Josh Devore
Encyclopedia
Joshua M. Devore was a professional baseball player who played outfielder
in the major leagues from -. He would play for the Cincinnati Reds
, Philadelphia Phillies
, New York Giants
, and Boston Braves
.
Devore resided in Seelyville, a small community in Vigo County, Indiana
during his early pro baseball career, getting his start in what was known as the Trolley League in Terre Haute, Indiana
. Due to his quickness, Josh was known as "The Seelyville Speed Demon." In his prime, Devore was an expert bunter and baserunner who was adept at drawing walks, and he was an effective leadoff man for the Giants' pennant-winners of 1911 and 1912. In the off-season, he owned and operated a boxing gym in Fontanet, Indiana. Devore stood at just 5'6".
, hitting poorly the two years he was there. However, in 1908 he moved the Eastern League
and hit .290 for the Newark Indians
. He joined the New York Giants in September, just in time to watch them lose a playoff game to the Chicago Cubs
and finish second in the National League
.
Devore's first year as a regular was 1910, which was also the only year he hit .300 in the majors. In 1911, he finished second in the league with 61 stolen base
s; the entire Giants team stole frequently and literally stole themselves to the league championship. In the 1911 World Series
, however, Devore went 0 for 3 in steal attempts and batted just .167. In the following year's World Series, he improved to .250, but the Giants lost for the second straight time.
Devore was traded to the Cincinnati Reds and then to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1913
. In 1914
, he was traded once more, to the Boston Braves; he arrived in time for the "Miracle Braves" stretch run which saw them win the National League pennant
and World Series
.
However, Devore batted just .227 for Boston and was released the following January. He spent 1915 in the Ohio State League
and bounced around various minor leagues until 1924. He was a player-manager for Grand Rapids of the Central League
in 1920 and 1921.
Devore died at the age of 66 and was buried at New Marshfield Cemetery in New Marshfield, Ohio
.
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
in the major leagues from -. He would play for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, 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....
, and Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
.
Devore resided in Seelyville, a small community in Vigo County, Indiana
Vigo County, Indiana
Vigo County is a county located along the western border of the U.S. state of Indiana. Vigo County is included in the Terre Haute, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Terre Haute....
during his early pro baseball career, getting his start in what was known as the Trolley League in Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute is a city and the county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States, near the state's western border with Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 60,785 and its metropolitan area had a population of 170,943. The city is the county seat of Vigo County and...
. Due to his quickness, Josh was known as "The Seelyville Speed Demon." In his prime, Devore was an expert bunter and baserunner who was adept at drawing walks, and he was an effective leadoff man for the Giants' pennant-winners of 1911 and 1912. In the off-season, he owned and operated a boxing gym in Fontanet, Indiana. Devore stood at just 5'6".
Career
As a teenager, Devore played for the Meridian Ribboners of the Cotton States LeagueCotton States League
The Cotton States League name was used five different times in baseball history. The first Cotton States League ran from 1902 through 1908 as a class D league. After the league shut down, another Cotton States League was reformulated in 1910, with three of the six '08 members returning for the new...
, hitting poorly the two years he was there. However, in 1908 he moved the Eastern League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
and hit .290 for the Newark Indians
Newark Indians
*Location: Newark, NJ*League: Eastern League 1908-1911; International League 1912-1916*Affiliation:*Ballpark: Wiedenmayer's ParkIn 1908, the Newark Sailors changed their name to the Newark Indians...
. He joined the New York Giants in September, just in time to watch them lose a playoff game to the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and finish second 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...
.
Devore's first year as a regular was 1910, which was also the only year he hit .300 in the majors. In 1911, he finished second in the league with 61 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; the entire Giants team stole frequently and literally stole themselves to the league championship. In the 1911 World Series
1911 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 14, 1911 at Polo Grounds in Manhattan, New York-Game 2:Monday, October 16, 1911 at Shibe Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-Game 3:Tuesday, October 17, 1911 at Polo Grounds in Manhattan, New York-Game 4:...
, however, Devore went 0 for 3 in steal attempts and batted just .167. In the following year's World Series, he improved to .250, but the Giants lost for the second straight time.
Devore was traded to the Cincinnati Reds and then to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1913
1913 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Phillies competing in the National League and finishing in second place.- Regular season :300px|thumb|The 1913 Philadelphia Phillies...
. In 1914
1914 Boston Braves season
The 1914 Boston Braves was a season in American baseball. The team finished first in the National League, winning the pennant by 10½ games over the New York Giants...
, he was traded once more, to the Boston Braves; he arrived in time for the "Miracle Braves" stretch run which saw them win the National League 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...
and World Series
1914 World Series
In the 1914 World Series, the Boston Braves beat the Philadelphia Athletics in a four-game sweep.A contender for greatest upset of all time, the "Miracle Braves" were in last place on July 4, then roared on to win the National League pennant by games and sweep the stunned Athletics...
.
However, Devore batted just .227 for Boston and was released the following January. He spent 1915 in the Ohio State League
Ohio State League
The first Ohio State League was a baseball league in 1887 before changing names to the Tri-State League.The first 20th century Ohio State League started in 1908 as a class D loop and ran through 1916. Another Ohio State League was formed in 1936 and ran through 1947 except for a break in '42-'43...
and bounced around various minor leagues until 1924. He was a player-manager for Grand Rapids of the Central League
Central League (baseball)
The Central League was a minor league baseball league that operated sporadically from 1903-1917, 1920-1922, 1926, 1928-1930, 1934, and 1948-1951. In 1926, the league merged mid-season with the Michigan State League and played under that name for the remainder of the season...
in 1920 and 1921.
Devore died at the age of 66 and was buried at New Marshfield Cemetery in New Marshfield, Ohio
New Marshfield, Ohio
New Marshfield is a census-designated place in central Waterloo Township, Athens County, Ohio, United States. Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 45766...
.