John Coleman (colemjo01)
From BR Bullpen
John Francis Coleman
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Weight 170 lb.
- School Syracuse University
- Debut May 1, 1883
- Final Game July 18, 1890
- Born March 6, 1863 in Saratoga Springs, NY USA
- Died May 31, 1922 in Detroit, MI USA
[edit] Biographical Information
John Coleman was the first major league player to come from Syracuse University, and is still the player from Syracuse University with the second-most major league at-bats as of 2006. Coleman appeared in 510 games as an outfielder and a few at first base and third base, but also was a pitcher in 107 games.
At the age of 20, he had the misfortune of going 12-48 as a pitcher in 1883. He pitched the majority of the team's games, and also picked up the majority of the team's wins and losses. As of 2007, his 48 losses, as well as the 772 hits and 291 earned runs he allowed that season, remain all-time major-league single-season records. They are unlikely to be challenged bar many changes in the game.
As a hitter, his best year was 1885, when his Adjusted OPS was 10th in the league.
In a comparison that shows the limits of the similarity scores method, the most similar pitcher to Coleman is listed as Asa Brainard, the great pitcher whose performance in the National Association was after his prime.
[edit] Records Held
Coleman holds the following single-season pitching records from 1883:
- Losses, 48 (second is Will White, 42, 1880)
- Earned runs, 291 (Ted Breitenstein, 238, 1894)
- Runs, 504 (Will White, 404, 1879)
- Hits, 772 (Bobby Mathews, 693, 1876)
- Loss-win difference, 36 (George Cobb, 27, 1892)
