Patsy Flaherty

From BR Bullpen

Patrick Joseph Flaherty

Bats Left, Throws Left
Height 5' 8", Weight 165 lb.

Debut September 8, 1899
Final Game September 14, 1911
Born June 29, 1876 in Mansfield, PA USA
Died January 23, 1968 in Alexandria, LA USA

"Baseball Necrology" lists date of birth as June 31st. (131)

[edit] Biographical Information

Patsy Flaherty had success both as a pitcher and as a hitter. Flaherty came up briefly in 1899 and 1900, but didn't stick until 1903. In 1899, he pitched well, with a 2.31 ERA on the 1899 Louisville Colonels, Honus Wagner's team. Flaherty was a long-time friend of Wagner - "a longtime basketball-playing, drinking, and hunting buddy", as he is described by the book "Honus: the Life and Times of a Baseball Hero". Per the book, Wagner had recommended him to manager Fred Clarke in 1899.

After 1900, Flaherty came back in 1903 with the 1903 Chicago White Sox, going 11-25 games on a team that lost 77 total (the other two regular starting pitchers both went approximately .500). He did have at least one impressive game, though, matching up against Cy Young in a game where both pitchers pitched shutouts into the tenth inning when Young himself got the winning hit. (Source:"Autumn's Glory: Baseball's First World Series")

The next year Flaherty was released early in the season by the White Sox, and the Pirates, who needed a pitcher, signed him. He surprised by going 19-9, and leading a good rotation in victories.

As a hitter, Flaherty had a low average but hit with some power. He was occasionally used as a pinch-hitter, and in 1911 (when he pitched 4 games), he finally became largely a position player, appearing in 19 games and pinch-hitting in a number more. He hit .287 at age 35 and slugged .426, both numbers comfortably above the team averages.

Scout for the Chicago Cubs 1926-1932.