Earl Blackburn
Encyclopedia
Earl Stuart Blackburn was a right-handed catcher
in Major League Baseball
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
, Cincinnati Reds
, Boston Braves
, and Chicago Cubs
from 1912 to 1917.
Blackburn made his debut with the Pirates on September 17, 1912, appearing in the field but not coming to bat. Strangely, he was traded to the Reds six days later and appeared in one game with Cincinnati before the season ended, walking in his only plate appearance. At age 19 at season's end, Blackburn was one of only nine teenagers to appear in the major leagues that season.
He appeared in 17 more games with Cincinnati in 1913, going 7 for 27 at the plate with three RBI
, before being relegated to the minors again. Blackburn resurfaced with Boston in 1915, going 1 for 6 at the plate in three games. Finally in 1916, Blackburn saw substantial major league playing time, hitting .273 in 47 games with the Braves as a backup to Hank Gowdy
.
Boston traded Blackburn to the Chicago Cubs in January 1917. He appeared as a pinch-hitter for the Cubs twice early in the season, making his second and last appearance with the team on April 15. A veteran of five major league seasons by the age of 24, Blackburn nevertheless never made it back to the major leagues.
He died on August 3, 1966 in Mansfield, Ohio
.
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
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 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...
, 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....
, Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, and 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...
from 1912 to 1917.
Blackburn made his debut with the Pirates on September 17, 1912, appearing in the field but not coming to bat. Strangely, he was traded to the Reds six days later and appeared in one game with Cincinnati before the season ended, walking in his only plate appearance. At age 19 at season's end, Blackburn was one of only nine teenagers to appear in the major leagues that season.
He appeared in 17 more games with Cincinnati in 1913, going 7 for 27 at the plate with three RBI
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...
, before being relegated to the minors again. Blackburn resurfaced with Boston in 1915, going 1 for 6 at the plate in three games. Finally in 1916, Blackburn saw substantial major league playing time, hitting .273 in 47 games with the Braves as a backup to Hank Gowdy
Hank Gowdy
Henry Morgan Gowdy was a professional baseball catcher and a first baseman who played in the major leagues for the New York Giants and the Boston Braves...
.
Boston traded Blackburn to the Chicago Cubs in January 1917. He appeared as a pinch-hitter for the Cubs twice early in the season, making his second and last appearance with the team on April 15. A veteran of five major league seasons by the age of 24, Blackburn nevertheless never made it back to the major leagues.
He died on August 3, 1966 in Mansfield, Ohio
Mansfield, Ohio
Mansfield is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Richland County. The municipality is located in north-central Ohio in the western foothills of the Allegheny Plateau, approximately southwest of Cleveland and northeast of Columbus....
.