Snake Deal
From BR Bullpen
John Wesley Deal
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 164 lb.
- School Villanova University
- Debut July 9, 1906
- Final Game October 7, 1906
- Born January 21, 1879 in Lancaster, PA USA
- Died May 9, 1944 in Harrisburg, PA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Snake Deal is listed as having been at Villanova University from 1898-1906. In July 1906 he made his debut as a 27-year-old rookie with the 1906 Cincinnati Reds, where he got 231 at-bats for the rest of the season and played exclusively first base. While his .208 batting average doesn't seem like much, it was the dead-ball era and outfielder Frank Jude also hit .208 while shortstop Tommy Corcoran hit .207.
Snake was the same age as third baseman Jim Delahanty.
Deal had played a lot of ball for local teams in West Chester, PA and Wilmington in the early 1900's. See Old Chester PA baseball where there is a picture of Snake Deal.
