Fritz Coumbe
From BR Bullpen
Frederick Nicholas Coumbe
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 6' 0", Weight 152 lb.
- Debut April 22, 1914
- Final Game September 19, 1921
- Born December 13, 1889 in Antrim, PA USA
- Died March 21, 1978 in Paradise, CA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Frederick "Fritz" Coumbe pitched eight years in the big leagues, most notably going 13-7 with the 1918 Cleveland Indians (although his ERA was better in some other years).
Coumbe was born in Antrim, PA, the same year that Stan Coveleski was born in the state. He first came to the majors with the 1914 Red Sox, posting a 1.44 ERA in 17 games. He was traded in mid-season as part of a deal for Vean Gregg and then spent several years with the Cleveland Indians. He was not to be with them for the 1920 season when they won the 1920 World Series, though, because in 1920-21 he was with the Cincinnati Reds, who had won the 1919 World Series before Coumbe joined them.
After his big league days, Coumbe played in the Pacific Coast League. Arm injuries eventually led to him being converted from a pitcher to an outfielder and first baseman late in his career, but thereafter he went back to pitching for a few more years.
He hit .331 for Salt Lake City in 1925, although he was overshadowed by teammates Tony Lazzeri, who hit 60 home runs, and Lefty O'Doul, who hit .375.
SABR has a biography of him. He was in semi-pro ball from 1911-13 and then in the minors part of 1913. After his playing days, he did some minor league managing. He also managed a factory team and worked as a carpenter.
