Rick Adams (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Reuben Alexander "Rick" Adams (December 24, 1878 – March 10, 1955) was a professional baseball
player whose career spanned over 13 seasons, including one in Major League Baseball
with the Washington Senators
(1905). In his one major league season, Adams went 2–5 with a 3.59 earned run average
(ERA), three complete game
s, one shutout
and 25 strikeout
s in 11 games, six starts
. Adams also played in the minor leagues
with the Class-D Spokane Blue Stockings (1901), the Class-D Tacoma Tigers (1901), the Class-D Paris Eisenfelder's Homeseekers (1902), the Class-A New Orleans Pelicans
(1902–1903), the Class-A Montreal Royals
(1904), the Class-C Temple Boll Weevils (1905), the Class-D Cleburne Railroaders
(1906), the Class-A Denver Grizzlies (1907–1910), the Class-B Houston Buffaloes
(1911), the Class-D Denison Blue Sox
(1913) and the Class-D Denison Champions. Over his minor league career, Adams went 169–125 in 280 games. He batted and threw left-handed
.
in 1901. That season, he played for the Spokane Blue Stockings and the Tacoma Tigers. Between the two teams, Adams went 18–16. In 1902, Adams started the season with the Class-D Paris Eisenfelder's Homeseekers of the Texas League
. With Paris, he went 18-11 in 31 games, 28 starts
. Amongst Texas League pitchers, Adams was fifth in wins. Later that season, Adams joined the Class-A New Orleans Pelicans
where he went 6–1 in nine games, all starts. In 1903, Adams continued playing with the Pelicans. On the season, he went 14–11 in 29 games. Adams joined the Class-A Montreal Royals
and went 13–10. After the season, Adams returned to his home in Texas
. On March 16, 1905, Adams re-signed with the Montreal Royals. However, Adams did not play with the Royals in 1905, instead playing with the Class-C Temple Boll Weevils of the Texas League
. In 16 games, Adams went 13–3.
Major League Baseball
franchise. Adams made his major league debut on July 13, 1905. On the season, Adams went 2–5 with a 3.59 ERA, three complete games, one shutout
and 25 strikeouts in 11 games, six starts. His last appearance in Major League Baseball was on September 29, 1905.
. On the season, he went 25–13 in 40 games. Amongst Texas League pitchers, Adams was tied for first in wins. Adams joined the Class-A Denver Grizzlies of the Western League
in 1907. With the Bears that season, Adams played 27 games. In 1908, sill with the Bears, Adams went 16–17. Adams continued playing with the Bears in 1909 and went 15–13 in 25 games. During the 1910 season, Adams' last with the Denver Bears, he went 9–5. In 1911, Adams joined the Class-B Houston Buffaloes
of the Texas League. He went 2–11 that season. Adams was absent from the professional baseball circuit in 1912, however, he returned in 1913 to play with the Class-D Denison Blue Sox
. In 20 games with the Blue Sox, Adams went 6–7. In his final season in professional baseball, 1913, Adams played for the Class-D Denison Champions where he went 14–7.
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 over 13 seasons, including one 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...
with the Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
(1905). In his one major league season, Adams went 2–5 with a 3.59 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...
(ERA), three complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
s, one shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
and 25 strikeout
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....
s in 11 games, six starts
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
. Adams also played in the minor leagues
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...
with the Class-D Spokane Blue Stockings (1901), the Class-D Tacoma Tigers (1901), the Class-D Paris Eisenfelder's Homeseekers (1902), the Class-A New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans were a Minor league professional baseball team based in New Orleans, Louisiana.-Team history:Founded in 1887, the Pelicans became part of the Southern Association in 1901...
(1902–1903), the Class-A Montreal Royals
Montreal Royals
The Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, that existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–60 as a member of the International League and its progenitor, the original Eastern League...
(1904), the Class-C Temple Boll Weevils (1905), the Class-D Cleburne Railroaders
Cleburne Railroaders
The Cleburne Railroaders was a minor league baseball team located in Cleburne, Texas. The Railroaders were members of the class Double-A Texas League. After joining the league in , the Railroaders captured that year's league title. However, the club folded after that season....
(1906), the Class-A Denver Grizzlies (1907–1910), the Class-B Houston Buffaloes
Houston Buffaloes
The Houston Buffaloes or Buffs were an American minor league baseball team that was founded in 1888, played in the Texas League in the years 1888-90, 1892, 1895-99, and 1907-1958 ; in the South Texas League in the years 1903-06; and in the American Association from 1959-61...
(1911), the Class-D Denison Blue Sox
Denison Blue Sox
The Denison Blue Sox were a minor league baseball team based in Denison, Texas, USA that played in the Texas-Oklahoma League in 1913. Major leaguers Rick Adams, Sam Covington and Jim Haislip played for them. They were managed by Babe Peebles....
(1913) and the Class-D Denison Champions. Over his minor league career, Adams went 169–125 in 280 games. He batted and threw left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
.
Early career
Adams began his professional career in the Class-D Pacific Northwest LeaguePacific 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:...
in 1901. That season, he played for the Spokane Blue Stockings and the Tacoma Tigers. Between the two teams, Adams went 18–16. In 1902, Adams started the season with the Class-D Paris Eisenfelder's Homeseekers of the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
. With Paris, he went 18-11 in 31 games, 28 starts
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
. Amongst Texas League pitchers, Adams was fifth in wins. Later that season, Adams joined the Class-A New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans were a Minor league professional baseball team based in New Orleans, Louisiana.-Team history:Founded in 1887, the Pelicans became part of the Southern Association in 1901...
where he went 6–1 in nine games, all starts. In 1903, Adams continued playing with the Pelicans. On the season, he went 14–11 in 29 games. Adams joined the Class-A Montreal Royals
Montreal Royals
The Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, that existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–60 as a member of the International League and its progenitor, the original Eastern League...
and went 13–10. After the season, Adams returned to his home in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. On March 16, 1905, Adams re-signed with the Montreal Royals. However, Adams did not play with the Royals in 1905, instead playing with the Class-C Temple Boll Weevils of the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
. In 16 games, Adams went 13–3.
Washington Senators
During the 1905 season, while playing with he Temple Boll Weevils, Adams joined the Washington SenatorsMinnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and 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...
franchise. Adams made his major league debut on July 13, 1905. On the season, Adams went 2–5 with a 3.59 ERA, three complete games, one shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
and 25 strikeouts in 11 games, six starts. His last appearance in Major League Baseball was on September 29, 1905.
Later career
In 1906, Adams joined the Class-D Cleburne RailroadersCleburne Railroaders
The Cleburne Railroaders was a minor league baseball team located in Cleburne, Texas. The Railroaders were members of the class Double-A Texas League. After joining the league in , the Railroaders captured that year's league title. However, the club folded after that season....
. On the season, he went 25–13 in 40 games. Amongst Texas League pitchers, Adams was tied for first in wins. Adams joined the Class-A Denver Grizzlies of the Western League
Western League (defunct minor league)
The Western League is a name given to several circuits in American minor league baseball. Its earliest progenitor, which existed from 1885 to 1899, was the predecessor of the American League...
in 1907. With the Bears that season, Adams played 27 games. In 1908, sill with the Bears, Adams went 16–17. Adams continued playing with the Bears in 1909 and went 15–13 in 25 games. During the 1910 season, Adams' last with the Denver Bears, he went 9–5. In 1911, Adams joined the Class-B Houston Buffaloes
Houston Buffaloes
The Houston Buffaloes or Buffs were an American minor league baseball team that was founded in 1888, played in the Texas League in the years 1888-90, 1892, 1895-99, and 1907-1958 ; in the South Texas League in the years 1903-06; and in the American Association from 1959-61...
of the Texas League. He went 2–11 that season. Adams was absent from the professional baseball circuit in 1912, however, he returned in 1913 to play with the Class-D Denison Blue Sox
Denison Blue Sox
The Denison Blue Sox were a minor league baseball team based in Denison, Texas, USA that played in the Texas-Oklahoma League in 1913. Major leaguers Rick Adams, Sam Covington and Jim Haislip played for them. They were managed by Babe Peebles....
. In 20 games with the Blue Sox, Adams went 6–7. In his final season in professional baseball, 1913, Adams played for the Class-D Denison Champions where he went 14–7.