Oscar Stanage
Encyclopedia
Oscar Harland Stanage was a Major League Baseball
catcher
. Born in Tulare, California
, Stanage played fourteen seasons in the Major Leagues, primarily with the Detroit Tigers
. He had one at bat
with the Cincinnati Reds
in 1906 before playing with the Tigers for thirteen years.
as Detroit's regular catcher. Stanage caught more games for the Detroit Tigers
than any catcher except Bill Freehan
. The Top 3 in games caught for the Tigers are:
catcher in the 1910s. "Shoeless" Joe Jackson
and Hall of Famer Ty Cobb
both considered Stanage to be the league's best catcher.
In 1911, Stanage set the American League
record (which still stands) for assists by a catcher, with 212. He led the league in assists by a catcher in 1911 (212), 1912 (168), and 1914 (190). Stanage had over 100 assists at the catcher position for 7 straight years from 1910-1916. He collected 1,045 assists in 738 games over that 7-year stretch, an average of 1.42 assists per game. His career average of 1.29 assists per game is the 5th best in Major League history, behind Duke Farrell
, Red Dooin
, Johnny Kling
, and Bill Killefer
. Stanage also led the league in double plays by a catcher in 1912 with 14.
While Stanage's arm made him one of the greatest catchers of all time in assists, his gloved hand was not as reliable. Stanage has the dubious distinction of having 3 of the Top 10 single season error totals by a catcher in the 20th Century. His 41 errors in 1911 was the most by a catcher for the 20th Century. His totals of 32 and 30 errors in 1912 and 1914 also are among the 10 worst in the 20th Century. http://members.tripod.com/bb_catchers/catchers/fieldsea.htm
Stanage was known as a student of the game. He was the only catcher who prevented Connie Mack
's Philadelphia Athletics from stealing signs. (Mack's Athletics were notorious for stealing the opposing team's signs in 1911.)
with 27 extra base hit
s and 51 RBIs.
Because of his weak hitting, the Tigers were always looking for a better-hitting catcher. Each year, there was a new catcher challenging Stanage for the starting job. Eddie Ainsmith
won the job in 1919 but Stanage regained the starting role in 1920. http://www.deadball.com/stanage.htm
on September 3, 1917. The White Sox were in a pennant race and swept both games. The White Sox stole 7 bases against Stanage in the opener and 5 against Archie Yelle
in the second game. Two weeks later, the White Sox collected $45 from each player as a gift for the Tigers for beating the Red Sox, but suspicion spread that the money was a payoff to the Tigers for throwing the doubleheader. http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/S/Stanage_Oscar.stm
Stanage also served as Ty Cobb
's "second" in a fight with New York Giants
' second baseman Buck Herzog
. During a spring training game in 1917, Cobb was caught stealing, but sliced Herzog's trousers and drew blood with his spikes. Herzog, who had been a boxer in the Army, challenged Cobb to a fight that evening. Cobb won the fight, with Stanage as his second. (Richard Bak, Peach (2005), p. 115)
released Stanage, making room for Johnny Bassler
as the Tigers catcher in 1921. Although Cobb did not want Stanage's bat in the lineup, he hired Stanage as a coach in 1925. Cobb allowed Stanage to play in three games in 1925, garnering 1 hit in 5 at bats.
When Cobb left as the Tigers manager, Oscar Stanage became a coach with the Pittsburgh Pirates
from 1927-1931. Stanage died in Detroit, Michigan
in 1964 at age 81.
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...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
. Born in Tulare, California
Tulare, California
Tulare is a city in Tulare County, California, United States. The population was 59,278 at the 2010 census.Just eight miles south of Visalia, it is part of the Census Bureau's designation of the Visalia Metropolitan Area. The city is named for the currently dry Tulare Lake, once the largest...
, Stanage played fourteen seasons in the Major Leagues, primarily with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. He had one at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
with 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....
in 1906 before playing with the Tigers for thirteen years.
Second Most Games Caught for the Detroit Tigers
Stanage joined the Tigers in 1909 and eventually replaced Boss SchmidtBoss Schmidt
Charles "Boss" Schmidt was an American catcher in Major League Baseball who played six seasons with the Detroit Tigers ....
as Detroit's regular catcher. Stanage caught more games for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
than any catcher except Bill Freehan
Bill Freehan
William Ashley Freehan is a former professional baseball player. He played his entire Major League Baseball career as a catcher for the Detroit Tigers...
. The Top 3 in games caught for the Tigers are:
- Bill FreehanBill FreehanWilliam Ashley Freehan is a former professional baseball player. He played his entire Major League Baseball career as a catcher for the Detroit Tigers...
- 1,581 (1961–1976) - Oscar Stanage - 1,074 (1909–1920, 1925)
- Lance ParrishLance ParrishLance Michael Parrish, aka "Big Wheel", is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Detroit Tigers , Philadelphia Phillies , California Angels , Seattle Mariners , Cleveland Indians , Pittsburgh Pirates , and the Toronto Blue Jays...
- 1,039 (1977–1986)
Stanage's Cannon Arm: American League Record for Assists
Though not a strong hitter, Stanage was known to have a cannon arm, and threw out more runners than any other American LeagueAmerican League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
catcher in the 1910s. "Shoeless" Joe Jackson
Shoeless Joe Jackson
Joseph Jefferson Jackson , nicknamed "Shoeless Joe", was an American baseball player who played Major League Baseball in the early part of the 20th century...
and Hall of Famer Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
both considered Stanage to be the league's best catcher.
In 1911, Stanage set the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
record (which still stands) for assists by a catcher, with 212. He led the league in assists by a catcher in 1911 (212), 1912 (168), and 1914 (190). Stanage had over 100 assists at the catcher position for 7 straight years from 1910-1916. He collected 1,045 assists in 738 games over that 7-year stretch, an average of 1.42 assists per game. His career average of 1.29 assists per game is the 5th best in Major League history, behind Duke Farrell
Duke Farrell
Charles Andrew Farrell was a 19th century Major League Baseball catcher. Born in Oakdale, Massachusetts, he played for eight teams during his 18 year career...
, Red Dooin
Red Dooin
Charles Sebastian "Red" Dooin was an American catcher and manager in Major League Baseball during the first two decades of the 20th century. He played 1,219 of his 1,290 games as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies and managed the Phils from 1910 through 1914.-Biography:Born in Cincinnati, Ohio,...
, Johnny Kling
Johnny Kling
John Kling was a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs , Boston Rustlers & Braves , and Cincinnati Reds .-Early years:John Gransfield Kling was born and raised in Kansas City, the son of John and...
, and Bill Killefer
Bill Killefer
William Killefer , was an American professional baseball player, coach and manager who had a 48-year career in Major League Baseball. Killefer, who was nicknamed "Reindeer Bill" due to his speed afoot, played as a catcher for the St. Louis Browns, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs...
. Stanage also led the league in double plays by a catcher in 1912 with 14.
While Stanage's arm made him one of the greatest catchers of all time in assists, his gloved hand was not as reliable. Stanage has the dubious distinction of having 3 of the Top 10 single season error totals by a catcher in the 20th Century. His 41 errors in 1911 was the most by a catcher for the 20th Century. His totals of 32 and 30 errors in 1912 and 1914 also are among the 10 worst in the 20th Century. http://members.tripod.com/bb_catchers/catchers/fieldsea.htm
Stanage was known as a student of the game. He was the only catcher who prevented Connie Mack
Connie Mack (baseball)
Cornelius McGillicuddy, Sr. , better known as Connie Mack, was an American professional baseball player, manager, and team owner. The longest-serving manager in Major League Baseball history, he holds records for wins , losses , and games managed , with his victory total being almost 1,000 more...
's Philadelphia Athletics from stealing signs. (Mack's Athletics were notorious for stealing the opposing team's signs in 1911.)
A Weak Hitter
Stanage was a weak hitter, batting for a .234 average in 14 years. Stanage is No. 2 of all-time behind Billy Sullivan for having the lowest slugging percentage by a catcher in a single Major League season with his .233 slugging percentage in 1914. His best year as a hitter was 1911 when he hit for a .264 batting averageBatting 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 :...
with 27 extra base hit
Extra base hit
In baseball, an extra base hit , also known as a long hit, is any base hit on which the batter is able to advance past first base without the benefit of a fielder either committing an error or opting to make a throw to retire another base runner...
s and 51 RBIs.
Because of his weak hitting, the Tigers were always looking for a better-hitting catcher. Each year, there was a new catcher challenging Stanage for the starting job. Eddie Ainsmith
Eddie Ainsmith
Edward Wilbur Ainsmith , nicknamed "Dorf," was a catcher in Major League Baseball. He played fifteen seasons with the Washington Senators , Detroit Tigers , St. Louis Cardinals , Brooklyn Robins , and New York Giants . Born in Concord, MA, he batted and threw right-handed...
won the job in 1919 but Stanage regained the starting role in 1920. http://www.deadball.com/stanage.htm
Allegations of Game Fixing and Service as Cobb's "Second"
Stanage played a role in an infamous double-header with the Chicago White SoxChicago 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...
on September 3, 1917. The White Sox were in a pennant race and swept both games. The White Sox stole 7 bases against Stanage in the opener and 5 against Archie Yelle
Archie Yelle
Archie Joseph Yelle was a right-handed baseball catcher who played three seasons in the American League for the Detroit Tigers and seven years in the Pacific Coast League for the San Francisco Seals...
in the second game. Two weeks later, the White Sox collected $45 from each player as a gift for the Tigers for beating the Red Sox, but suspicion spread that the money was a payoff to the Tigers for throwing the doubleheader. http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/S/Stanage_Oscar.stm
Stanage also served as Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
's "second" in a fight with 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....
' second baseman Buck Herzog
Buck Herzog
Charles Lincoln "Buck" Herzog was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball who played for four National League clubs between 1908 and 1920. He played for the New York Giants, the Boston Braves, the Cincinnati Reds, and the Chicago Cubs...
. During a spring training game in 1917, Cobb was caught stealing, but sliced Herzog's trousers and drew blood with his spikes. Herzog, who had been a boxer in the Army, challenged Cobb to a fight that evening. Cobb won the fight, with Stanage as his second. (Richard Bak, Peach (2005), p. 115)
Coaching career
After the 1920 season, newly appointed player-manager Ty CobbTy Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
released Stanage, making room for Johnny Bassler
Johnny Bassler
John Landis Bassler was a Major League Baseball catcher. Born in Mechanics Grove, Pennsylvania. Bassler played professional baseball from 1913 to 1937, including 9 seasons in the major leagues with the Cleveland Naps and Detroit Tigers...
as the Tigers catcher in 1921. Although Cobb did not want Stanage's bat in the lineup, he hired Stanage as a coach in 1925. Cobb allowed Stanage to play in three games in 1925, garnering 1 hit in 5 at bats.
When Cobb left as the Tigers manager, Oscar Stanage became a coach with the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
from 1927-1931. Stanage died in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
in 1964 at age 81.