Ed Clough

From BR Bullpen

Edgar George Clough (Big Ed or Spec)

Bats Left, Throws Left
Height 6' 0", Weight 188 lb.

Debut August 28, 1924
Final Game September 25, 1926
Born October 28, 1906 in Wiconisco, PA USA
Died January 30, 1944 in Harrisburg, PA USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Ed Clough was with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1924-26. He and Bill Hallahan were the source of friction in 1926 between manager Rogers Hornsby and team president Branch Rickey. Rickey thought them strong prospects, but manager Hornsby didn't want to play them, saying that he wanted to win the pennant immediately, not many years later. Source: "Rogers Hornsby" A Biography". Rickey is quoted in the book as saying that when Clough was playing at Fort Smith, the team was offered $25,000 for him.

Clough made his major league debut in 1924 at the age of 17 as an outfielder, playing in 7 games, mostly in left field. Rickey was manager that year and Chick Hafey also made his major league debut that year, playing mostly left field.

Clough came back in 1925 and 1926 as a pitcher, appearing in four games and twelve innings. He was one of the youngest players in the league in all three seasons in which he appeared. He had won 28 games while pitching at Fort Smith in 1925.

Clough died before he was forty.

He is the only major leaguer with the last name Clough (through August 2007). He and Bill Hart are the only major leaguers born in Wiconisco, PA (as of August 2007).