Jake Herzer

Jacob H. Herzer

• Height 5' 5", Weight 150 lb.

• Born June 30, 1871 in Manhattan, NY USA
• Died January 4, 1907 in Brooklyn, NY USA

BR Register page

Biographical Information

Jake Herzer played one season in the minor leagues, as an 19-year-old in 1890, before becoming a longtime feature in the semi-pro scene of Brooklyn, NY. Born Jacob Herzer to a German family in Manhattan he became known in baseball circles primarily as Jake Hersey, though Herzer and Herzey were also frequent spellings of his surname. His first notices in the local newspapers came when he was the captain and third baseman of a team of newsboys sponsored by the New York Evening World, who played some high profile games in 1888, including at the Polo Grounds. At the time, as a 16-year-old, he was listed at 5'5" and 150 lbs, though later in life he would get up to around 200 lbs.

In 1890, he was recruited by New Yorker Tom York to play for the Albany Senators in the New York State League. He was with the team from March to July as the team's primary third baseman and he performed well, but was released when William Primrose took over as team manager and brought in some new players. Afterwards, Herzer settled in Brooklyn, where he became one of the best-known semi-pro catchers in the area. He played until 1905, featuring on teams such as the Varuna Boat Club, Bay Ridge Athletic Club, Suburbans (of the Bronx), and All-Professionals, often being the captain of his team. He worked around the docks of Brooklyn and was active in the local Maritime Association, before contracting pneumonia and dying in 1907.

Related Sites

• Find-A-Grave Memorial for Jacob Herzer