Eli Cates
From BR Bullpen
Eli Eldo Cates
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 9½", Weight 175 lb.
- Debut April 20, 1908
- Final Game September 29, 1908
- Born January 26, 1877 in Greens Fork, IN USA
- Died May 29, 1964 in Anderson, IN USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Eli Cates pitched 19 games for the 1908 Washington Senators at age 31, and also appeared in a few games at second base. In the minors he won 20+ games with Oakland in 1906-07.
He was with the Toledo Mud Hens in 1898-1900 and with the Minneapolis Millers in 1901. One researcher found he had a lifetime minor league record of 156-163, although there is one year with no stats for him. minorleagueresearcher.blogspot.com/2006_03_01_archive.html
Through 2011 he is the only major leaguer named Cates, although there have been numerous minor leaguers with that last name. There have been a number of major leaguers with the first name Eli, with the most prominent perhaps being Eli Grba.
"This is the second time this year that Washington and Pittsburgh were after the same pitcher . . . Eli Cates, the California twirler, was the first one. . ." - Sporting Life, Sept. 21, 1907, commenting on the competition between teams to sign Eli Cates and Carson Hodge
"Eli Cates continues to be general utility man for Vancouver. The former pitcher can play any position well." - Sporting Life, June 1, 1912
