Lew Moren

Lewis Howard Moren
(Hicks)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 150 lb.
• School Duquesne University
• Debut September 21, 1903
• Final Game September 23, 1910
• Born August 4, 1883 in Pittsburgh, PA USA
• Died November 2, 1966 in Pittsburgh, PA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Lew Moren, from Pittsburgh, PA, pitched six seasons in the majors for teams based in Pennsylvania, primarily the Philadelphia Phillies. In perhaps his best year, he went 16-15 in 1909 for a team which finished under .500.

Moren was the first major leaguer out of Duquesne University, and he made his major league debut shortly after he turned 20 years old. It was said he was a frail child, but eventually he became a baseball success. However, he was plagued with arm problems.

He is said by some to have been the first pitcher to throw a modern knuckleball (with Toad Ramsey, the alleged inventor of the pitch, throwing something more similar to a knuckle-curve). In 1910, his final season of pro ball, Moren burned the middle finger of his pitching hand severely while attempting to light a match and was unable to have success with his pitch anymore. He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 1911 but was suspended by the team after it was revealed that he had suffered an arm injury which the Phillies had apparently known about but failed to mention when the trade was initiated. After not playing at all that year, aside from a few rough rehab attempts, the Reds released Moren.

Later that year it was reported that he would inherit several hundred thousand dollars from his father's estate. His father, Captain Moren, was a boat captain. His brothers, Arthur and Paul, also worked in shipping - in 1906 they were said to be in charge of unloading 2,000 barrels of sugar that had been shipped from New Orleans. The brothers were said to be good friends with Jimmy Archer.

In January 1914 it was reported that he planned to make a comeback and go to spring training again with the Phillies.

He served briefly in World War I, only having to report two weeks before the war ended. After this he fell into obscurity and lived a quiet life, having never gotten married or had any children. In 1966 he committed suicide at age 83 by cutting his throat with a razor.

"Tom Needham went up to Lew Moren's dad, and remarked "I ought to know you, Captain. You were born near Toronto, Ohio. Well, years ago I drove a mule at Sligo, nearby." - comment by long-time major leaguer Tom Needham to Lew Moren's father, a riverboat captain

Notable Achievements

• 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1909)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 3 (1907, 1909 & 1910)

Related Sites

• Lew Moren at the SABR Bio Project