Dick Padden
Encyclopedia
Richard Joseph "Dick" Padden (September 17, 1870 – October 31, 1922), nicknamed "Brains", was an American
professional baseball player, born in Wheeling, West Virginia
, who played mainly as a second baseman
in Major League Baseball
for nine seasons from to .
After playing a season and a half in the minor leagues
, the right-handed infielder
began his major league career for the Pittsburgh Pirates
. He played three seasons in Pittsburgh, from 1896 to , before playing one season for the Washington Senators
in . He returned to the minor leagues for the 1900 season, where he was the player-manager for the Chicago White Sox
, then a minor league team. When the Chicago club entered the American League
, a major league, the following season, he moved on to play one season for the St. Louis Cardinals
, before becoming Captain
of the St. Louis Browns
from and 1905. In total, Padden played in 874 games, and collected 814 hits
in 3545 at bat
s, for a lifetime batting average
of .258. He finished in the league's top-ten finishers in being hit by pitch
es six times, including a league-leading 18 in 1904.
Padden's post-career activities included duties as a talent scout for the St. Louis Browns
and the Washington Senators
, as well a lengthy career in the flint glass
industry in Ohio
. After retiring, he attempted to gain the Democratic Party
nomination for the 1912 mayoral race in his hometown of Martin's Ferry, Ohio. He died there, in 1922, at the age of 52 of apoplexy
.
the team to a 52–74 win–loss record
. During the 1896 season, the Pittsburgh Pirates
manager
, Connie Mack
, was seeking a replacement for Harry Truby
, his second baseman, who was not performing well, when Padden caught his attention. Padden was playing for the Toronto Canadiens in the Eastern League
, and had a reputation of being a smart and quick player with good instincts, as well as a "careful, timely batsman". Based on his need to upgrade his second base position, and Padden's good reputation, Mack traded Truby for him. He began his major league career shortly thereafter on July 15, one day after Truby's final game in the majors. When Padden did not bat well to start the season, Mack and Pittsburgh's president and part owner, William Kerr
, began to feud over the decision, with Kerr questioning Mack over whether they should have traded Truby. However, his hitting improved and he completed the season with a .242 batting average
in 61 games played
.
In , with the Pirates, he led all National League second basemen with 134 games played, and 369 putout
s. Besides games played, he established career highs in several batting categories that season, including; 517 at bat
s, 84 runs
scored, 146 hits
, 10 triples
, and tied his career high in home run
s with two. He made 128 appearances in , again as their starting second baseman. His statistical output dropped from his previous season; his batting average lowered to .257, and scored 61 runs in 463 at bats.
, along with Jack O'Brien and Jimmy Slagle
, to the Washington Senators
in exchange for Heinie Reitz. He played the 1899 season in Washington, and appeared in 134 games as their starting shortstop
. He had a batting average of .277, established his career high in stolen base
s (27), and was ejected
from the game by the umpire
three times, which led the league.
of the American League
, which was a minor league at the time. However, before the season began, he joined the Chicago White Sox
, also a minor league team, as their player-manager instead. On May 16, he was involved in a physical altercation with Ducky Holmes
and another Detroit player. While playing a doubleheader
on September 16, against Connie Mack and his Milwaukee team, Padden suggested to Mack that the second game be shortened to five innings due to the fact that the first game lasted just over three hours, and they might not finish the second game before darkness. Mack, who estimated that he could get five more good innings from his game one starting pitcher
, Rube Waddell
, quickly agreed. Padden's suggestion backfired, and turned into a successful strategy for Mack, whose team, with Waddell pitching, won the game. Despite that incident, Padden and his leadership skills led the White Sox to the American League championship that season.
of the National League. He was the team's starting second baseman, and played in a total of 123 games. He had a batting average of .256 that season, and again led the league in ejections, with five; however, he stole 26 bases, he had 62 RBIs
, his highest single season total.
After his lone season with the Cardinals, Padden, along with many of his teammates deserted to the newly created St. Louis Browns
franchise, which was scheduled to begin playing in 1902 in the American League. Padden was Captain of the Browns during his time on the team. In both 1902 and , he was the Browns' starting second baseman, and were the only two of his four seasons with the club in which he played in more than 29 games. He led the league in hit by a pitch
es with 18 in , the only time in which he led the league in this category, although he did finish in the league's top-ten five times previously. On May 19, 1905, after 16 games, Padden was released by the Browns, and his major league career came to an end.
of the American Association
for the 1906 season. He had a batting average of .288 that year, and hit three home runs. He stayed with the Saints for the 1907 season, but as a player only. After 52 games played, his season ended when he sprained his ankle. After his injury, he and his Saints manager, Mr. Ashenbach attempted to buy the Daytona
team of the Eastern League
, but were unsuccessful. He had hoped that his ankle would heal, so that he could be ready for the next season, but he never appeared as a player after the injury.
Following his retirement as a player, Padden returned to his old team and became a talent scout for the Browns in 1909. He also became a talent scout for the Senators and worked in the flint glass
industry in Ohio
. Alfred Henry Spink described him as "one of the real foxy fellows of the baseball world. He could field beautifully and was never better than when being hard driven." Padden retired to Martins Ferry, Ohio
where in 1912, he tried to secure the Democratic Party
nomination for the mayoral race. He died in Martins Ferry of apoplexy
on October 31, 1922 at the age of 52, and is interred at St. Marys Cemetery.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball player, born in Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling is a city in Ohio and Marshall counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia; it is the county seat of Ohio County. Wheeling is the principal city of the Wheeling Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, who played mainly as a second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
for nine seasons from to .
After playing a season and a half in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
, the right-handed infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
began his major league career for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. He played three seasons in Pittsburgh, from 1896 to , before playing one season for the Washington Senators
Washington Senators (1891-1899)
The Washington Senators were a 19th century baseball team. The team was also known as the Washington Statesmen and the Washington Nationals. The team played at Boundary Field....
in . He returned to the minor leagues for the 1900 season, where he was the player-manager for the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, then a minor league team. When the Chicago club entered the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
, a major league, the following season, he moved on to play one season for the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, before becoming Captain
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
of the St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
from and 1905. In total, Padden played in 874 games, and collected 814 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 3545 at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s, for a lifetime batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
of .258. He finished in the league's top-ten finishers in being hit by pitch
Hit by pitch
In baseball, hit by pitch , or hit batsman , is a batter or his equipment being hit in some part of his body by a pitch from the pitcher.-Official rule:...
es six times, including a league-leading 18 in 1904.
Padden's post-career activities included duties as a talent scout for the St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
and the Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, as well a lengthy career in the flint glass
Flint glass
Flint glass is optical glass that has relatively high refractive index and low Abbe number. Flint glasses are arbitrarily defined as having an Abbe number of 50 to 55 or less. The currently known flint glasses have refractive indices ranging between 1.45 and 2.00...
industry in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. After retiring, he attempted to gain the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
nomination for the 1912 mayoral race in his hometown of Martin's Ferry, Ohio. He died there, in 1922, at the age of 52 of apoplexy
Apoplexy
Apoplexy is a medical term, which can be used to describe 'bleeding' in a stroke . Without further specification, it is rather outdated in use. Today it is used only for specific conditions, such as pituitary apoplexy and ovarian apoplexy. In common speech, it is used non-medically to mean a state...
.
Pittsburgh
Padden began his professional career with the Roanoke Magicians, a minor league club in the Virginia State League in 1895, where he played with and managedManager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
the team to a 52–74 win–loss record
Winning percentage
In sports, a winning percentage is the fraction of games or matches a team or individual has won. It is defined as wins divided by wins plus losses . Ties count as a ½ loss and a ½ win...
. During the 1896 season, the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
, Connie Mack
Connie Mack (baseball)
Cornelius McGillicuddy, Sr. , better known as Connie Mack, was an American professional baseball player, manager, and team owner. The longest-serving manager in Major League Baseball history, he holds records for wins , losses , and games managed , with his victory total being almost 1,000 more...
, was seeking a replacement for Harry Truby
Harry Truby
Harry Garvin Truby , is a former professional baseball player who was a infielder in the Major Leagues from 1895 to 1896. He would play for the Chicago Colts and Pittsburgh Pirates....
, his second baseman, who was not performing well, when Padden caught his attention. Padden was playing for the Toronto Canadiens in the Eastern League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
, and had a reputation of being a smart and quick player with good instincts, as well as a "careful, timely batsman". Based on his need to upgrade his second base position, and Padden's good reputation, Mack traded Truby for him. He began his major league career shortly thereafter on July 15, one day after Truby's final game in the majors. When Padden did not bat well to start the season, Mack and Pittsburgh's president and part owner, William Kerr
William Kerr (baseball)
William Kerr was the co-owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team of the National League from through with Phil Auten. They purchased the team from William A. Nimick in 1891. They sold the Pirates to Barney Dreyfuss in 1900....
, began to feud over the decision, with Kerr questioning Mack over whether they should have traded Truby. However, his hitting improved and he completed the season with a .242 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
in 61 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
.
In , with the Pirates, he led all National League second basemen with 134 games played, and 369 putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
s. Besides games played, he established career highs in several batting categories that season, including; 517 at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s, 84 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
scored, 146 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, 10 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, and tied his career high in home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s with two. He made 128 appearances in , again as their starting second baseman. His statistical output dropped from his previous season; his batting average lowered to .257, and scored 61 runs in 463 at bats.
Washington
On December 14, 1898, after the season was completed, Padden was tradedTrade (sports)
In professional sports, a trade is a sports league transaction involving an exchange of players' contracts or draft picks between teams. Cash is another commodity that may be packaged together with contracts or draft picks to complete a trade...
, along with Jack O'Brien and Jimmy Slagle
Jimmy Slagle
James Franklin Slagle was a professional baseball player who played outfield in the major leagues from 1899 to 1908.Slagle started his professional career in 1895, at the age of 21...
, to the Washington Senators
Washington Senators (1891-1899)
The Washington Senators were a 19th century baseball team. The team was also known as the Washington Statesmen and the Washington Nationals. The team played at Boundary Field....
in exchange for Heinie Reitz. He played the 1899 season in Washington, and appeared in 134 games as their starting shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
. He had a batting average of .277, established his career high in stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s (27), and was ejected
Ejection (sports)
In sports, an ejection is one of several disqualifying actions assessed to a player or coach by a game official , usually for unsportsmanlike conduct....
from the game by the umpire
Umpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
three times, which led the league.
Chicago
Following the 1899 season, the Senators franchise ceased operations, which resulted in Padden's sale, along with O'Brien, to the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
of the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
, which was a minor league at the time. However, before the season began, he joined the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, also a minor league team, as their player-manager instead. On May 16, he was involved in a physical altercation with Ducky Holmes
Ducky Holmes
For Howard Elbert Holmes, also known as Ducky, baseball player, see Ducky Holmes James William "Ducky" Holmes was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. He played ten seasons in the National League and American League with the Louisville Colonels , New York Giants , St...
and another Detroit player. While playing a doubleheader
Doubleheader (baseball)
A doubleheader is a set of two baseball games played between the same two teams on the same day in front of the same crowd. In addition, the term is often used unofficially to refer to a pair of games played by a team in a single day, but in front of different crowds and not in immediate...
on September 16, against Connie Mack and his Milwaukee team, Padden suggested to Mack that the second game be shortened to five innings due to the fact that the first game lasted just over three hours, and they might not finish the second game before darkness. Mack, who estimated that he could get five more good innings from his game one starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
, Rube Waddell
Rube Waddell
George Edward Waddell was an American southpaw pitcher in Major League Baseball. In his thirteen-year career he played for the Louisville Colonels , Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Orphans in the National League, and the Philadelphia Athletics and St. Louis Browns in the American League...
, quickly agreed. Padden's suggestion backfired, and turned into a successful strategy for Mack, whose team, with Waddell pitching, won the game. Despite that incident, Padden and his leadership skills led the White Sox to the American League championship that season.
St. Louis
The White Sox stayed with the American League as they became a major league in , but Padden moved on to play for the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
of the National League. He was the team's starting second baseman, and played in a total of 123 games. He had a batting average of .256 that season, and again led the league in ejections, with five; however, he stole 26 bases, he had 62 RBIs
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
, his highest single season total.
After his lone season with the Cardinals, Padden, along with many of his teammates deserted to the newly created St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
franchise, which was scheduled to begin playing in 1902 in the American League. Padden was Captain of the Browns during his time on the team. In both 1902 and , he was the Browns' starting second baseman, and were the only two of his four seasons with the club in which he played in more than 29 games. He led the league in hit by a pitch
Hit by pitch
In baseball, hit by pitch , or hit batsman , is a batter or his equipment being hit in some part of his body by a pitch from the pitcher.-Official rule:...
es with 18 in , the only time in which he led the league in this category, although he did finish in the league's top-ten five times previously. On May 19, 1905, after 16 games, Padden was released by the Browns, and his major league career came to an end.
Post-major league career
Padden was the player-manager for the minor league team St. Paul SaintsSt. Paul Saints
The St. Paul Saints are a professional baseball team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the United States. The Saints are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
for the 1906 season. He had a batting average of .288 that year, and hit three home runs. He stayed with the Saints for the 1907 season, but as a player only. After 52 games played, his season ended when he sprained his ankle. After his injury, he and his Saints manager, Mr. Ashenbach attempted to buy the Daytona
Daytona
Daytona may refer to:* Daytona Beach, Florida* Daytona Beach Shores, Florida* South Daytona, Florida-Motor racing:* Daytona Beach Road Course* Daytona International Speedway, a NASCAR speedway, which hosts:** the Daytona 500 NASCAR race...
team of the Eastern League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
, but were unsuccessful. He had hoped that his ankle would heal, so that he could be ready for the next season, but he never appeared as a player after the injury.
Following his retirement as a player, Padden returned to his old team and became a talent scout for the Browns in 1909. He also became a talent scout for the Senators and worked in the flint glass
Flint glass
Flint glass is optical glass that has relatively high refractive index and low Abbe number. Flint glasses are arbitrarily defined as having an Abbe number of 50 to 55 or less. The currently known flint glasses have refractive indices ranging between 1.45 and 2.00...
industry in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. Alfred Henry Spink described him as "one of the real foxy fellows of the baseball world. He could field beautifully and was never better than when being hard driven." Padden retired to Martins Ferry, Ohio
Martins Ferry, Ohio
During the census of 2000, there were 7,226 people, 3,202 households, and 1,959 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,345.1 people per square mile . There were 3,680 housing units at an average density of 1,703.6 per square mile...
where in 1912, he tried to secure the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
nomination for the mayoral race. He died in Martins Ferry of apoplexy
Apoplexy
Apoplexy is a medical term, which can be used to describe 'bleeding' in a stroke . Without further specification, it is rather outdated in use. Today it is used only for specific conditions, such as pituitary apoplexy and ovarian apoplexy. In common speech, it is used non-medically to mean a state...
on October 31, 1922 at the age of 52, and is interred at St. Marys Cemetery.