Elton Chamberlain
From BR Bullpen
| Elton P. Chamberlain
(Icebox)
|
[edit] Biographical Information
Icebox Chamberlain pitched 10 years in the major leagues, with a record of 159-120. His biggest season was 1889, when he had 34 victories, although from 1888-90 he was always in the top 5 in the league in ERA.
An ambidextrous pitcher for two days, he alternated arms for four innings of a game on June 16, 1884 before he was in the major leagues. On May 9, 1888, he had a large lead against the Kansas City Cowboys and pitched the last two innings left-handed, giving up no runs that way.
On May 6, 1892, Chamberlain and John Clarkson pitched a 14-inning scoreless tie between the Reds and the Beaneaterss. The game was called at that point, due to the "angle of the sun". According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the "decision, while it may appear ridiculous on the face of it, was, strange to relate, a just and sensible one."
On May 30, 1894, Chamberlain pitched a complete game in which his team lost 20 - 11. Not only did Chamberlain give up all 20 runs, but he allowed four home runs that day by Bobby Lowe, who became the first major league player to hit four home runs in a game.
A construction contractor in Missouri built and named a bunch of railway stations after the names of players on the Browns. Chamberlain had a station named after him. The station named after player Doc Bushong eventually became the name of the town around the station.
