Phil Douglas
Encyclopedia
Phillip Brooks Douglas was an American baseball
player.
Douglas originally signed with the Chicago White Sox
in 1912, but soon landed with the Cincinnati Reds
. In 1915, he was traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers, then to the Chicago Cubs
.
In 1919, he was signed by the New York Giants
. John McGraw
had some luck in keeping Douglas' drinking under control. In 1920, Douglas had a 14-10 record and an 2.71 ERA. Following the season, the spitball
was banned but 17 players, including Douglas, were allowed to continue using the pitch.
Douglas' best year was in 1921, when he won 15 games in the regular season with an ERA
of 2.08. He then won two games in the 1921 World Series
to help the Giants win the series.
In 1922, he had 11 wins and a league-leading 2.63 ERA, but was suspended after a quarrel with McGraw and fined $100.
Shortly after he was suspended and while intoxicated, Douglas sent the following letter to Les Mann
of the St. Louis Cardinals
:
The letter found its way to Kenesaw Mountain Landis
. Landis banned Douglas from baseball for life.
On August 1, 1952, Douglas died in Sequatchie, Tennessee, and was buried in Tracy City, Tennessee
.
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...
player.
Douglas originally signed with 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...
in 1912, but soon landed 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 1915, he was traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers, then 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...
.
In 1919, he was signed by the 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....
. John McGraw
John McGraw
John McGraw may refer to:* John McGraw , , New York lumber tycoon, and one of the founding trustees of Cornell University* John McGraw , , Governor of Washington state from 1893–1897...
had some luck in keeping Douglas' drinking under control. In 1920, Douglas had a 14-10 record and an 2.71 ERA. Following the season, 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....
was banned but 17 players, including Douglas, were allowed to continue using the pitch.
Douglas' best year was in 1921, when he won 15 games in the regular season with an ERA
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...
of 2.08. He then won two games in the 1921 World Series
1921 World Series
In the 1921 World Series, the New York Giants beat the New York Yankees five games to three. This was the last of the experimental best-five-of-nine series....
to help the Giants win the series.
In 1922, he had 11 wins and a league-leading 2.63 ERA, but was suspended after a quarrel with McGraw and fined $100.
Shortly after he was suspended and while intoxicated, Douglas sent the following letter to Les Mann
Les Mann
Leslie Mann , was a professional baseball player who played outfield in the Major Leagues from 1913-1928. He played for the Boston Braves, St...
of the St. Louis Cardinals
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...
:
I want to leave here but I want some inducement. I don't want this guy to win the pennant and I feel if I stay here I will win it for him. If you want to send a man over here with the goods, I will leave for home on next train. I will go down to fishing camp and stay there.
The letter found its way to Kenesaw Mountain Landis
Kenesaw Mountain Landis
Kenesaw Mountain Landis was an American jurist who served as a federal judge from 1905 to 1922 and as the first Commissioner of Baseball from 1920 until his death...
. Landis banned Douglas from baseball for life.
On August 1, 1952, Douglas died in Sequatchie, Tennessee, and was buried in Tracy City, Tennessee
Tracy City, Tennessee
Tracy City is a town in Grundy County, Tennessee, United States. Incorporated in 1915, the population was 1,481 at the 2010 census. Named after Benjamin Franklin Tracy, the city developed out of railroad and mining interests after coal was found in 1840. Tracy City is also home to the oldest family...
.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball ERA champions
- List of Major League Baseball figures who have been banned for life
Sources
- http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Phil_Douglas
- http://z.lee28.tripod.com/therest/id29.html
- http://www.baseball-reference.com/d/douglph01.shtml