Al Spalding
From BR Bullpen
Albert Goodwill Spalding
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 170 lb.
- Debut May 5, 1871
- Born September 2, 1850 in Byron, IL USA
- Died September 9, 1915 in San Diego, CA USA
Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1939
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[edit] Biographical Information
Al Spalding was a formidable pitcher and baseball pioneer who became more powerful when he started the sporting goods firm that bore his name. In that role, he had an impact on the game that continues today. In the early part of the 20th century, he helped to convince the world, erroneously, that Abner Doubleday had invented the game of baseball in 1839.
"Two hours is about as long as any American can wait for the close of a baseball game, or anything else for that matter." - Al Spalding
Spalding began his career around age 17 before professional ball existed. He was lucky enough to live in Rockford, IL, a hotbed of early baseball, and joined the Rockford Forest Citys, where he made a name for himself. He especially earned attention when he beat the famous Cincinnati Red Stockings in 1870.
He became utterly dominant in the first professional league, the National Association, where he led the league in wins during all five years of its existence. When the National League started, he led the league in its first year as well. He also managed a couple of years. After retiring as a player, he worked in the front office of the White Stockings, and eventually became the team's owner. As such, he had a long relationship with Cap Anson, with whom he eventually had friction when Anson was fired as manager in 1897, after serving in that capacity for nearly 20 years.
Spalding started his sporting goods store in Chicago with his brother, and eventually had stores all over the country.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- NA At Bats Leader (1874)
- NA Singles Leader (1874)
- 2-time NA ERA Leader (1872 & 1875)
- 6-time League Wins Leader (1871-1875/NA & 1876/NL)
- 4-time League Winning Percentage Leader (1873-1875/NA & 1876/NL)
- 3-time NA Games Pitched Leader (1873-1875)
- 2-time NA Saves Leader (1873 & 1875)
- 2-time NA Innings Pitched Leader (1874 & 1874)
- NA Complete Games Leader (1874)
- 4-time NA Shutouts Leader (1871, 1872, 1874 & 1875)
- 20 Wins Seasons: 5 (1872-1876)
- 30 Wins Seasons: 5 (1872-1876)
- 40 Wins Seasons: 4 (1873-1876)
- 50 Wins Seasons: 2 (1874 & 1875)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 6 (1871-1876)
- 300 Innings Pitched Seasons: 5 (1872-1876)
- 400 Innings Pitched Seasons: 5 (1872-1876)
- 500 Innings Pitched Seasons: 3 (1874-1876)
- 600 Innings Pitched Seaosns: 1 (1874)
- NL Pennants: 1 (1876)
- Baseball Hall of Fame: Class of 1939
| Preceded by N/A | Chicago White Stockings Manager 1876-1877 | Succeeded by Bob Ferguson |
[edit] Further Reading
- Mark Lamster: Spalding's World Tour: The Epic Adventure that took Baseball Around the Globe and Made it America's Game, Public Affairs Books, New York, NY, 2006.
[edit] Related Sites
- For an excellent biography of Spalding, see SABR Biography of Al Spalding.
