Cup of Coffee Baseball League

[ukhotstove]

Harry O'Neill

Harry Mink O'Neill

Philadelphia Athletics 1939

Position: Catcher
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6'3" Weight: 205lb

Born: May 8, 1917 in Philadelphia, PA. USA
Died: March 6, 1945 in Iwo Jima, Japan (27)
Buried: Arlington Cemetery, Drexell Hill, PA. USA

Debut: July 23, 1939 Philadelphia Athletics @ Detroit Tigers (22)

The link on his full name will take you to a better article than I could ever write about his career, I will say one thing though. I never was going to pick Harry O'Neill with my first pick nor any other pick to be honest, the first pick was going to be taken up by Moonlight Graham who else? But I was putting the players into the game and made a couple of mistakes so checked their names and such on baseball reference, when I was checking Harry O'Neill's page I wasn't even looking for where he died but his birthplace to make sure I had the right player it was then I saw Iwo Jima. I'm not scared to admit it but kind of got a bit emotional reading about Harry, a guy who played one major league game in what people look upon throughout the world as America's game as American as apple pie so to say. A game that says freedom probably more than any other game and here's one guy who played one game then gave his life so others could have their cup of coffee that they could follow their dreams of playing in the majors. I know one thing the next time I'm over stateside I'll go visit young Harry and maybe leave a baseball for him to play catch with.

[fromtheline]

Great idea! Keep it up, and I look forward to more players from the 21st century, something I can relate to more.

[ukhotstove]

Originally Posted by fromtheline

Great idea! Keep it up, and I look forward to more players from the 21st century, something I can relate to more.

Much appreciated, there are plenty around the early 1900's then slows down a bit around the 1930's but really picks up from the end of the war. Again slows down during the 1970's and picks up again in the 1990's, thanks for the post as it's given me an idea to break them down with a year by year or decade by decade on when the players had their one game to see if there's a pattern.

[ukhotstove]

Red Lutz

Louis William Lutz

Position: Catcher
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 5'10" Weight: 170lb

Born: December 17, 1898 in Cincinnati, OH. USA
Died: February 22, 1984 in Cincinnati, OH. USA (85)
Buried: St. Stephen Cemetery, Fort Thomas, KY. USA

Debut: May 31, 1922 Cincinnati Reds @ Pittsburgh Pirates (23)

At first I thought it was the wrong player as according to my game he was born December 17, 1933 but all the other things in game are fine, debut and stuff anyway. Red played his one and only game at Forbes Field against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 11-2 defeat, he replaced Bubbles Hargrave at catcher and in his one at bat managed to get a double. Now I can understand him getting lost in the stats if his team won 11-2 but Red managed the only extra base hit in a 11-2 drubbing, stuff like this just makes you wonder why they didn't get at least a second game. Couple of other things caught my eye with Red, one nickname being Red and playing for the Reds did the nickname come about because of the team or was his hair red? Another being born, raised and died in Cincinnati but buried in Kentucky? Couldn't find anything about him apart from the one line wiki entry, the full name link takes you to a page about his APBA card?

[ukhotstove]

Aubrey "Yo-Yo" Epps

Aubrey Lee Epps

Pittsburgh Pirates 1935

Position: Catcher
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 5'10" Weight: 170lb

Born: March 3, 1934 in Memphis, TN. USA
Died: November 13, 1984 in Ackerman, MS. USA (72)
Buried: Concord Cemetery, Ackermen, MS. USA

Debut: September 29, 1935 Pittsburgh Pirates @ Cincinnati Reds (23)

Epps is another who made his one appearence in the last game of the season against the Reds at Crosley Field, I'll be honest I've started getting a bit frustrated for some of the players and Epps is a prime example. He plays against the Reds as 4 at bats gets 3 hits one of them a triple and 3 rbi's. Now I know around the 1930's he could have joined the army but that's a bit of a longshot seeing he played in 1935, I also know he may have got injured but too many of them have good games then never appear again, I know he didn't die as he lived into his 70's.

Well after writing this I read his wiki page and now I'm more frustrated for him, turns out Epps underwent a tonsillectomy then ended up with hemorrhages and pneumonia, he rejoined the Pirates and played in the minors for 6 seasons but looks like he never regained what he had in that one and only game.

[ukhotstove]

Frank Trechock

Frank Adam Trechock

Washington Senators 1937

Position: Shortstop
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 5'10" Weight: 175lb

Born: December 24, 1935 in Windber, PA. USA
Died: January 16, 1989 in Minneapolis, MN. USA
Buried: Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN. USA (73)

Debut: September 19, 1937 Chicago White Sox @ Washington Senators (21)

Trechock got his one moment in the sunshine against the White Sox at the Senators Griffith Stadium in the first game of a double header, he managed to get on base twice in his four at bats in a 5-4 win over a White Sox team who came into the game 77-62 against a Senators record of 67-72, the Senators without Trechock went on to lose the second game 9-1 looks like without Trechock they lost their mojo.

[ukhotstove]

Bill Knowlton

William Young Knowlton

Philadelphia Athletics 1920

Position: Catcher
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 5'10" Weight:

Born: August 18, 1898 in Philadelphia, PA. USA
Died: February 25, 1944 in Philadelphia, PA. USA (45)
Buried: Fernwood Cemetery, Fernwood, PA. USA

Debut: September 3, 1920 (22)

Again another one whose birthdate in game doesn't match his real birthdate, anyway Knowlton pitched in a 14-5 defeat against the Washington Senators at Shibe Park. He went into the 5th giving up only one run but the boxscore indicates the wheels fell off in the 5th as the Senators scored 5 runs and with runners on base he left his one and only game, in the end he was credited with 9 of the Senators 14 runs. I usually stand up for my cup of coffee guys but sorry Bill you had a bit of a stinker didn't you.

[ukhotstove]

Sammy Curran

Simon Francis Curran

Boston Beaneaters 1902

Position: Pitcher
Bats: Unknown Throws: Left
Height: Weight:

Born: October 30, 1874 in Dorchester, MA. USA
Died: May 18, 1936 in Dorchester, MA. USA (61)
Buried: Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden, MA. USA

Debut: August 1, 1902 Chicago Cubs @ Boston Beaneaters (27)

Another Boston Beaneater from the 1902 season making 3 of them, Bob Dresser and Red Long being the others. Just like Dresser he came away with the taste of a 6-1 defeat. You may think no wonder he never played another game but you could be wrong, the Beaneaters may have lost 6-1 but in his 6 2/3 innings pitched Curran only gave up 1 run and came away with a 1.35 era, Curran will be one of the starting pitchers in tomorrows game between the Denver Bears @ Tacoma Giants.

[ukhotstove]

That's all for the 1st round, all other player profiles will be posted during and between games.

[ukhotstove]

Opening Day game of the Cup of Coffee Baseball League was between the Denver Bears at the Tacoma Giants, starting pitchers of the game were Ed Fisher of the Denver Bears and Sammy Curran of the Tacoma Giants. The game was a pitching duel as Denver gave up 5 hits and Tacoma 6, the only thing that seperated the two teams was Curran of the Giants giving up 3 runs in the 4th on his 5 hits. Although all 3 runs were earned the lack of defence didn't help Curran as Tacoma gave up 4 errors in their 3-0 loss to the Bears.



#1 Performance of the Day
Ed Fisher, Denver Bears
7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, W



#2 Performance of the Day
Sammy Curran, Tacoma Giants
8.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K



#3 Performacne of the Day
Jim McLaughlin, Denver Bears
1 for 4, RBI, R

[ukhotstove]

Ed Fisher

Edward Frederick Fisher

Detroit Tigers 1902

Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6'2" Weight: 200lb

Born: October 31, 1876 in Wayne, MI. USA
Died: July 24, 1951 in Spokane, WA. USA (74)
Buried: Glenwood Cemetery, Wayne, MI. USA

Debut: September 5, 1902 Baltimore Orioles @ Detroit Tigers (25)

Ed's one and only game came in a 15-1 defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles, like a few of the previous players mentioned the game took place in 1902, must have been the pinnacle for the cup of coffee players. Although the Tigers got a thrashing that day Ed can hold his head high as in the 4 innings he pitched the only trouble he gave the scoreboard was a walk and can walk away from baseball with a 0.00 era.

[ukhotstove]

Jim McLaughlin

James Robert McLaughlin

St Louis Browns 1932

Position: Third Basebman
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 5'8" Weight: 168lb

Born: January 3, 1902 in St Louis, MO. USA
Died December 15, 1968 in Mount Vernon, IL. USA (66)
Buried: Oakwood Cemetery, Mount Vernon, IL. USA

Debut: April 18, 1932 St Louis Browns @ Detroit Tigers (30)

What is it with 1902, alot of the cup of coffee players so far played in 1902, McLaughlin didn't play in 1902 but was born in 1902. McLaughlin also becomes the oldest player to have made his debut when at the age of 30 he took to the field against Detroit, he replaced Red Kress at 3B and managed to get a rbi credited to his name in a 14-7 defeat at Nevin Field.

[ukhotstove]

Hollywood Stars (0-1) @ Denver Bears (2-0)

In their second game in a row Denver relied upon their starting pitching to add another notch in the win column, Red Miller was the starter who pitched 7 innings of shut out ball to take the Bears to a 2-0 record. He was however helped in the first when Hollywood's Jim Lyle gave up 4 runs with singles by Ed Hilley, Frank McCrea, Jim McLaughlin and Jackie Sullivan doing the damage in a game that ended with a 5-1 win for the Bears.

Sacramento Solons (1-0) @ Salt Lake City Bees (0-1)

2 hits, 2 rbi's, 1 run and a walk gave Larry McClure player of the game plaudits as he helped his Sacramento Solons overcome the Salt Lake City Bees, most of the damage was done in the second as Walter Alston and Ernie Lush got on base before McClure came to the plate and hit his first single of the game to score Alston, he also crossed the plate himself when a Andy Bruckmiller single gave him time to round 3rd. McClure got his second rbi of the game in the 3rd Jerry Lynn scoring from 3rd on a single by McClure, although the Bees did pull one back in the 6th the Solons returned the favour in the 7th which was made the final score 5-1 to the Sacramento team.

Tacoma Giants (1-1) @ Seattle Rainiers (0-1)

Tacoma came back from their Opening Day defeat to the Denver Bears with a 7-4 win over the Seattle Rainiers thanks mainly to outfielder Irv Porter, Porter managed 3 hits in his 4 at bats which racked up 1 rbi and 2 runs. He was helped in the win with rbi's from Chris Kitsos, Kevin Morgan and Elvio Jimenez.

Oakland Oaks (1-0) @ Portland Beavers (0-1)

The Oaks and Beavers game gave all the hallmarks of a thriller as they both scored a run in the first, all pointers faded away though as the Oaks scored 3 runs in the 5th then added 4 in the 7th and a final 2 runs in the 9th for a 10-2 thrashing of the Beavers. Charlie Miller was the main reason behind the beating as he tallied up 3 hits, 3 runs and 2 rbi in his 5 at bats however Jim Rutherford must count himself unlucky as he claimed 4 rbi's.

[ukhotstove]

tba

[ukhotstove]

#1 Performance of the Day
Red Miller, Denver Bears.
6 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, W
5-1 win versus Hollywood






#2 Performance of the day
Charlie E Miller, Oakland Oaks.
3 for 5, 2 3B, 2 RBI, 3 R
10-2 win versus Portland






#3 Performance of the Day
Monte Pfeffer, Winnipeg Maroons.
3 for 5, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R
7-3 win versus Lethbridge

[ukhotstove]

Red Miller

Leo Alphonso Miller

Philadelphia Phillies 1923

Position: Pitcher
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 5'11" Weight: 195lb

Born: February 11, 1897 in Philadelphia, PA. USA
Died: October 20, 1973 in Orlando, FL. USA (76)
Buried: Glen Haven Memorial Park, Winter Park, FL. USA

Debut: July 13, 1923 Cincinnati Reds @ Philadelphia Phillies (26)

I try to put a case for all the cup of coffee players on why they should have at least had a second sip but I'm afraid Red that you need a better lawyer than I'd ever be to defend you, one thing on Reds favour was that the Phillies had let in 15 runs when he came to the mound unlucky for Red he let 6 more runs in during his 1 and 2/3 innings in the majors. I'm betting he never lived it down as well, your only game in the majors against a team you share a nickname with and you walk away with an era of 32.40, July 13th that year, yes you got it, it fell on a Friday.

[ukhotstove]

Charlie E Miller

Charles Elmer Miller

St Louis Browns 1912

Position: Shortstop
Bats: Unknown Throws: Right

Born: January 4, 1892 in Warrensburg, MO. USA
Died: April 23, 1972 in Warrensburg, MO. USA (80)
Buried: Sunset Hills, Warrensburg, MO. USA

Debut: June 29, 1912 Cleveland Naps @ St Louis Browns (20)

St Louis Browns played the Cleveland Naps in a double header on June 29th and with the lack of a boxscore it's hard to work out which game Miller played in, one things for sure he never played on a winning team as the Browns lost both, the first 4-3 the second 5-3.

[ukhotstove]

Monte Pfeffer

Monte Pfeffer Born Montague Pfeiffer

Philadelphia Athletics 1913

Position: Shortstop
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 5'4" Weight: 147lb

Born: October 8, 1891 in New York, NY. USA
Died: September 27, 1941 in New York, NY. USA (49)
Buried: Acacia Cemetery, Jamaica, NY. USA

Debut: September 29, 1913 Philadelphia Athletics @ Washington Senators (21)

Another late season call up to the A's, Pfeffer played in a 1-0 defeat at the Washington Senators, only problem was he wasn't a pitcher so the wrong kind of game if your trying to make your mark as an hitter. The A's didn;t do much better when he didn't play as they didn't score in either of there next two games.