Don Carlsen
Encyclopedia
Donald Herbert Carlsen (born October 15, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, died September 2, 2002 in Denver, Colorado
) was a right-handed pitcher
in Major League Baseball
for the Chicago Cubs
and Pittsburgh Pirates
.
Carlsen was signed by the Cubs as an amateur free agent in 1944 at age 17. After one season as a fielder, he spent two years in military service. Afterward, he worked his way through the minor leagues until he got promoted to the Cubs in 1948. He made his one and only appearance for Chicago on April 28, allowing 4 earned runs in just one inning of relief work as the Cubs lost 8-1 to Johnny Vander Meer and the Cincinnati Reds
. From 1948 through 1950, Carlsen languished in the Cubs' minor league system. On December 21, 1950, he was purchased from the Cubs by the Hollywood entry in the Pacific Coast League
. He was promoted to the Pittsburgh Pirates prior to the start of the 1951 season but split the year between the Pirates and the minors.
With the Pirates in 1951, Carlsen appeared in seven games, starting six. He earned his first major league win on August 19 against his former club, the Cubs, and won his second six days later against the Philadelphia Phillies
. Those would end up being the only two wins of Carlsen's career, but he finished the season with respectable numbers of two wins, three losses, two complete games, and a 4.19 ERA
.
The right-hander made his final five major league appearances in 1952 with the Pirates, starting one game. In ten total innings, he allowed 12 earned runs on 20 hits and five walks, making his final appearance on May 24 before returning to the minors. He remained there until 1954, finishing his career with the Williamsport Grays
in the Pirates' minor league system at age 27.
For his career, Carlsen appeared in 13 games (7 starts), winning two and losing four with a 6.00 ERA.
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
) was a right-handed pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
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 the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and 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...
.
Carlsen was signed by the Cubs as an amateur free agent in 1944 at age 17. After one season as a fielder, he spent two years in military service. Afterward, he worked his way through the minor leagues until he got promoted to the Cubs in 1948. He made his one and only appearance for Chicago on April 28, allowing 4 earned runs in just one inning of relief work as the Cubs lost 8-1 to Johnny Vander Meer and the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. From 1948 through 1950, Carlsen languished in the Cubs' minor league system. On December 21, 1950, he was purchased from the Cubs by the Hollywood entry in the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
. He was promoted to the Pittsburgh Pirates prior to the start of the 1951 season but split the year between the Pirates and the minors.
With the Pirates in 1951, Carlsen appeared in seven games, starting six. He earned his first major league win on August 19 against his former club, the Cubs, and won his second six days later against the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. Those would end up being the only two wins of Carlsen's career, but he finished the season with respectable numbers of two wins, three losses, two complete games, and a 4.19 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
.
The right-hander made his final five major league appearances in 1952 with the Pirates, starting one game. In ten total innings, he allowed 12 earned runs on 20 hits and five walks, making his final appearance on May 24 before returning to the minors. He remained there until 1954, finishing his career with the Williamsport Grays
Williamsport Grays
*Location: Williamsport, Pennsylvania*League: New York-Penn League 1924-1937; Eastern League 1938-1942, 1944–1946, 1950, 1954–1956, 1958–1962...
in the Pirates' minor league system at age 27.
For his career, Carlsen appeared in 13 games (7 starts), winning two and losing four with a 6.00 ERA.