Lou Fiene
Encyclopedia
Louis Henry Fiene was a pitcher
in Major League Baseball
. He played for the Chicago White Sox
from 1906 to 1909.
. Known as "Big Finn," he started his professional baseball career in 1904. That season, he led the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League in wins (23) and earned run average
(2.45). He joined the American Association
's Toledo Mud Hens
, and in 1905, he went 11-13.
Fiene was then purchased by the White Sox. In spring training
of 1906, he claimed to have mastered the spitball
pitch. He pitched in just six games that season, going 1-1, while Chicago won the World Series
. Fiene didn't pitch much in 1907, either. He spent most of 1908 back in the American Association with the Minneapolis Millers
, and he won 20 games. That performance earned him a roster spot on the White Sox again. In 1909, he pitched a career-high 72 innings in the major leagues and went 2-5.
In 1910, Fiene went back to Minneapolis and compiled a record of 15-6. He hurt his arm after that and ended up playing at first base
and in the outfield
for a few years.
Fiene died in Chicago
, at the age of 79.
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...
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...
. He played for the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
from 1906 to 1909.
Biography
Fiene was born in Fort Dodge, IowaFort Dodge, Iowa
Fort Dodge is a city and county seat of Webster County, Iowa, United States, along the Des Moines River. The population was 25,206 in the 2010 census, an increase from 25,136 in the 2000 census. Fort Dodge is a major commercial center for North Central and Northwest Iowa. It is located on U.S...
. Known as "Big Finn," he started his professional baseball career in 1904. That season, he led the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League in wins (23) and 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...
(2.45). He joined the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
's Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
, and in 1905, he went 11-13.
Fiene was then purchased by the White Sox. In spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
of 1906, he claimed to have mastered the spitball
Spitball
A spitball is an illegal baseball pitch in which the ball has been altered by the application of saliva, petroleum jelly, or some other foreign substance....
pitch. He pitched in just six games that season, going 1-1, while Chicago won the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
. Fiene didn't pitch much in 1907, either. He spent most of 1908 back in the American Association with the Minneapolis Millers
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...
, and he won 20 games. That performance earned him a roster spot on the White Sox again. In 1909, he pitched a career-high 72 innings in the major leagues and went 2-5.
In 1910, Fiene went back to Minneapolis and compiled a record of 15-6. He hurt his arm after that and ended up playing at first base
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
and in the outfield
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...
for a few years.
Fiene died in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, at the age of 79.