Tony Von Fricken

Anthony Von Fricken

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Weight 160 lb.

• Debut May 9, 1890
• Final Game May 9, 1890
• Born May 30, 1869 in Brooklyn, NY USA
• Died March 22, 1947 in Troy, NY USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Anthony John Von Fricken was typically known as Tony Fricken during his playing career, though later in life he reverted to his full surname, Von Fricken. Upon his death, it was said that he "was rated by big league authorities as one of the greatest baseball players of his time", which is a bit hyperbolic for someone who played a single game in the major leagues, though he did have several successful seasons in the high minors. His younger brother, Hon Fricken, also was a minor league pitcher, causing some misidentification of the two at various points, though the elder brother claimed while they were both playing that the younger brother was the better of the two. While Fricken was considered a top talent, he had the reputation of not reaching his potential.

Fricken came to prominence in 1889 while pitching for the Hackett, Carhart & Co. team, also known as the Commercials, as they were sponsored by a prominent New York City department store. The hard-throwing Brooklyn native worked for the store while featuring for the baseball team and was under contract with them for 1890 when major league teams began expressing interest. In February 1890, the Boston Beaneaters offered $1,500 for his release from the Commercials, but were denied. Fricken began the year with his old club and pitched well in a March 31 exhibition against the New York Giants, dueling with fellow phenom Jack Sharrott, but falling 4-1 in 6 innings, striking out 12, but walking 7. His next start was against the Brooklyn Bridegrooms on April 15, which he lost 8-3, but allowed just 7 hits, though walking 6 against 2 strikeouts. That April the Brooklyn club showed interest in purchasing Fricken’s contract, but they too were rebuffed. He made his next start on April 29 against the Albany Senators from the New York State League, holding them to 1 run on 5 hits. Then, in early May, Boston did purchase his release.

On May 9, back in New York, Fricken made his major league debut against the Giants. He pitched a complete game, giving up 16 runs, 16 hits, and 8 walks in a loss. It was to be his only major league appearance. He was released shortly afterwards by Boston due to a lack of speed.

On May 17, he was back with Hackett, Carhart & Co., and lost a 10-9 game to the Rahway, NJ team. His star had not yet dimmed, though, as three separate minor league clubs claimed to have come to terms with him on a contract. Albany was the first claimant, and Fricken pitched a league game for them against Troy on May 22. However, it soon came out that Oneonta, NY had also signed him, along with some of his amateur teammates. The Tacoma Daisies, of the Pacific Northwest League, also made claim to him and blacklisted him from association baseball when he did not report to them. After an initial adjudication by the New York State League, Fricken was awarded to Oneonta, and a later ruling by the National Board of Arbitration removed his blacklist ban. He pitched for Oneonta into August with mixed success, though he was released due to his “disgraceful conduct” in an Albany hotel. He was given another chance by Troy in the state league, and he played out the league season with them.

Fricken stayed in the area in the coming years, winning 25 games for Albany in 1891, 23 for Elmira and Troy in 1892, and 13 for Troy in 1893. After being released by Troy in July, he got brief trials in Albany and Wilkes-Barre, PA, but was said to be no longer reliable as a pitcher. In 1894 he was given a couple more shots by Troy, but ended up spending most of the year playing amateur and semipro ball around New York. Playing more as an outfielder rather than a pitcher in 1895, Fricken signed with the Franklin Braves in the Iron & Oil League and played out the season with them, while his brother Hon also joined the team for two months during the year.

In the following years, Fricken played for various clubs around Troy, Albany, Cohoes, and Stillwater. He also began umpiring, including in the New York State League and Connecticut League. He added to his minor league playing career with one game in 1901, playing with Troy when they were short of players. After his playing career, he settled in Troy, where he worked for the public works department.

Related Sites

• Find-A-Grave Memorial for Tony Von Fricken
• BR Register page (1890-1894 seasons miscredited to Hon Fricken)
• BR Register page (1895 Franklin, miscredited as F. Fricken)
• BR Register page (1901 Troy, credited only as Fricken)