Doc Crandall

From BR Bullpen

James Otis Crandall

Bats Right, Throws Right
Weight 180 lb.

Debut April 24, 1908
Final Game August 31, 1918
Born October 8, 1887 in Wadena, IN USA
Died August 17, 1951 in Bell, CA USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Doc Crandall continued to pitch until until he was 41 years old, winning 11 games in the Pacific Coast League as late as 1929. Overall he won 249 minor league contests, giving him 351 career wins as a professional.

Known for his sharp curveball, Crandall was one of the first pitchers to be used primarily in relief. While with John McGraw's New York Giants, Crandall picked up his nickname due to his ability to help recuperate "sick" Giant games.

Crandall was also one of the last major league players to split his time between pitching and playing the field during the same season - on the 1914 Terriers Crandall tied for the team lead in wins and also was the main second baseman. Crandall was used as a pinch-hitter over 100 times in his big-league career.

Crandall pitched 13 seasons in the Pacific Coast League (1916-1926, 1928-1929), with a 230-151 record and a 2.96 ERA over 3,331 innings.

Crandall was player/manager of the 1927-1928 Wichita Larks. After his playing career ended, Crandall was a coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1931 to 1934. He then managed the Des Moines Demons in 1935, and coached the Seattle Indians in 1937 and Sacramento Solons in 1938.

His son Jimmie Crandall never reached the majors as a player but spent a season as a St. Louis Browns coach. A brother, Karl Crandall, was a minor league infielder from 1907 to 1924. In 1918, Karl broke up a no-hit bid by Doc with 2 outs in the ninth inning.