Heinie Peitz
Encyclopedia
Henry Clement "Heinie
" Peitz (November 28, 1870 - October 23, 1943) was an American
baseball catcher. He played for the St. Louis Browns
(1892–1895), Cincinnati Reds
(1896–1904), Pittsburgh Pirates
(1905–1906), Louisville Colonels (1907–1910), and St. Louis Cardinals
(1913). He was part of the famed "Pretzel Battery" with pitcher Ted Breitenstein
while playing for the Browns and Reds in the 1890s.
In 16 seasons of Major League Baseball, Peitz appeared in 1,234 games, scored 532 runs, compiled a .342 career on base percentage
, and had 1,117 hit
s, 191 double
s, 66 triple
s, 560 RBI
s, 91 stolen base
s, and 409 bases on balls
.
Peitz was also the manager of the Louisville Colonels and led the team to an American Association
pennant in 1909. He was also employed as a scout, coach, and umpire after retiring as a player. In 2003, he was ranked as the 82nd best catcher of all time by Bill James
in "The New Bill James Historical Abstract."
, in 1870. His parents, Henry and Angela Peitz, were natives of Westphalia
in what is now Germany. At the time of the 1880 United States Census, the family lived in St. Louis, and Peitz's father was employed as a laborer.
in 1889. In 1890, he played for a team in Jacksonville, Illinois
. In 1892, he played for the Montgomery Lambs of the Southern Association. He appeared in 113 games during the 1892 season for Montgomery.
acquired Peitz in the fall of 1892, and he made his Major League Baseball
debut in the final game of the season in October 1892. He played three full seasons for the Browns from 1893 to 1895. While catching for the Browns, Peitz teamed up with left-handed pitcher Ted Breitenstein
, and the pair became known as the "Pretzel Battery." Peitz and Breitenstein were both sons of German immigrants and St. Louis natives. In the "Cardinals Encyclopedia," authors Mike Eisenbath and Stan Musial wrote that The "Pretzel Battery" was "one of the few things exciting about St. Louis's National League team those first few seasons." The nickname reportedly developed when the pair were drinking beer and eating pretzels after a game, when a fan noticed them and yelled, "Look, it's the 'pretzel battery'."
with Red Ehret
in exchange Arlie Latham
, Ed McFarland
, Morgan Murphy
, Tom Parrott
and cash. Peitz gained his greatest acclaim as the catcher for the Reds from 1896 to 1904. The "Pretzel Battery" was reunited in Cincinnati when Ted Breitenstein was sold to the Reds in 1896. Peitz developed a reputation for his ability to manage pitchers. He caught two no-hitters for the Reds, including the first no-hitter of the 20th century thrown by Reds' pitcher Noodles Hahn
in July 1900. Peitz had his best years as a batsman in 1901 and 1902 when he batted .305 and .314, respectively.
Described as "a rough and ready catcher from the old school," Peitz also worked as a "floorwalker" in a Cincinnati pub during the off season.
expressed an interest in acquiring Peitz. The club's president, Hermann, noted at the time:
In February 1905, the Pirates got their opportunity to acquire Peitz and traded Ed Phelps
to acquire him from the Reds. He played two years with the Pirates in 1905 and 1906. Peitz quickly became a favorite in Pittsburgh. In March 1905, The Pittsburgh Press reported: "He is already one of the most popular men on the team. Peitz may not be the fastest man in the world on his feet, but he can go some with his tongue. The Cincinnati German is the speediest man by far on the team at repartee."
sent Peitz to the minors, releasing him to the Louisville Colonels of the American Association
. Despite his talent as a catcher, Peitz was said to be so slow in 1906 that some joked that "he has to drive the ball over the fence to get to first base." When Peitz was sent to Louisville, The Pittsburgh Press noted:
Another sportswriter noted that the release of Peitz sounded a note of warning that led to the release of other old-time stars: "The greatest must eventually fall, and that is what has happened to Peitz, [Joe] Kelley
and others."
Peitz spent parts of four years playing for Louisville from 1907 to 1910. Peitz also managed the Louisville club and won an American Association pennant with the team in 1909. Peitz was presented with a diamond ring by his players and "local admirers" after leading the team to the pennant.
Peitz was released by Louisville in July 1910 and played briefly during the 1910 season with the Lancaster Lanks
of the Ohio State League
for a portion of the 1910 season.
In January 1913, manager Frank Chance
of the New York Yankees
tried to hire Peitz to work with the Yankees' young pitchers. At the time, Chance opined that Peitz was "one of the best coachers and would be just the man to handle the Yankee boxmen." Peitz instead signed as a coach for the St. Louis Cardinals
during the 1913 season, working principally as a third-base coach. At age 42, Peitz also made a brief return as a player, appearing in three games for the Cardinals in 1913. Peitz's turn at catcher was necessitated due to injuries to the Cardinals' catchers, and Peitz proved to be a valuable substitute. One sportswriter at the time noted: "He performed like a youngster and even showed up the famous [Jimmy] Archer
. He threw the speedy [Heinie] Zimmerman
out twice when he tried to steal."
In September 1914, after being released by the Cardinals, Peitz signed to coach the Kansas City Blues
of the American Association.
In January 1915, Peitz was hired as umpire in the Central League
. In May 1915, Peitz announced his retirement as an umpire, indicating that he had been forced to retire due to illness.
At the time of the 1910 United States Census, Peitz was living in Meade County, Kentucky
with his wife (identified in the census as Martha) and their daughter Viola.
At the time of the 1920 United States Census, Peitz was living in Cincinnati with his wife (identified in the census as Martha) and their daughter Viola. Peitz was employed at that time as a painter with the American Laundry Machinery company in Cincinnati.
At the time of the 1930 United States Census, Peitz was living in Norwood, Ohio
with his wife, Martha. His occupation at that time was listed as a painer at an auto body factory.
In August 1932, Peitz, at age 61, played in an old-timers reunion game in Cincinnati. Others participating in the game included Tris Speaker
, Honus Wagner
, Nick Altrock
and Cy Young
.
Peitz died at General Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio
at the age of 73.
His brother, Joe Peitz
, was his teammate on the Browns in 1894.
Heinie
Heinie may refer to:*A slang term for the buttocks *A derogatory term used for German soldiers that originated in World War I, short for Heinrich*A crewcut haircut...
" Peitz (November 28, 1870 - October 23, 1943) was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
baseball catcher. He played for the St. Louis Browns
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...
(1892–1895), 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....
(1896–1904), 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...
(1905–1906), Louisville Colonels (1907–1910), and 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...
(1913). He was part of the famed "Pretzel Battery" with pitcher Ted Breitenstein
Ted Breitenstein
Theodore P. "Ted" Breitenstein was an American Major League Baseball player from St. Louis, Missouri who pitched from to for the St. Louis Browns/Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds...
while playing for the Browns and Reds in the 1890s.
In 16 seasons of Major League Baseball, Peitz appeared in 1,234 games, scored 532 runs, compiled a .342 career on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
, and had 1,117 hit
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....
s, 191 double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
s, 66 triple
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....
s, 560 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...
s, 91 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, and 409 bases on balls
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
.
Peitz was also the manager of the Louisville Colonels and led the team to an 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...
pennant in 1909. He was also employed as a scout, coach, and umpire after retiring as a player. In 2003, he was ranked as the 82nd best catcher of all time by Bill James
Bill James
George William “Bill” James is a baseball writer, historian, and statistician whose work has been widely influential. Since 1977, James has written more than two dozen books devoted to baseball history and statistics...
in "The New Bill James Historical Abstract."
Early years
Peitz was born in St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, in 1870. His parents, Henry and Angela Peitz, were natives of Westphalia
Westphalia
Westphalia is a region in Germany, centred on the cities of Arnsberg, Bielefeld, Dortmund, Minden and Münster.Westphalia is roughly the region between the rivers Rhine and Weser, located north and south of the Ruhr River. No exact definition of borders can be given, because the name "Westphalia"...
in what is now Germany. At the time of the 1880 United States Census, the family lived in St. Louis, and Peitz's father was employed as a laborer.
Minor leagues
Peitz played baseball from 1889 to 1913. Peitz began his long career with a semipro team in Hillsboro, IllinoisHillsboro, Illinois
Hillsboro is a city in Montgomery County, Illinois, United States. The population was 4,359 at the 2000 census, and 6,106 at a 2009 estimate. It is the county seat of Montgomery County.-History:...
in 1889. In 1890, he played for a team in Jacksonville, Illinois
Jacksonville, Illinois
Jacksonville is a city in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 18,940 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Morgan County....
. In 1892, he played for the Montgomery Lambs of the Southern Association. He appeared in 113 games during the 1892 season for Montgomery.
St. Louis Browns
The St. Louis BrownsSt. 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...
acquired Peitz in the fall of 1892, and he made his 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...
debut in the final game of the season in October 1892. He played three full seasons for the Browns from 1893 to 1895. While catching for the Browns, Peitz teamed up with left-handed pitcher Ted Breitenstein
Ted Breitenstein
Theodore P. "Ted" Breitenstein was an American Major League Baseball player from St. Louis, Missouri who pitched from to for the St. Louis Browns/Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds...
, and the pair became known as the "Pretzel Battery." Peitz and Breitenstein were both sons of German immigrants and St. Louis natives. In the "Cardinals Encyclopedia," authors Mike Eisenbath and Stan Musial wrote that The "Pretzel Battery" was "one of the few things exciting about St. Louis's National League team those first few seasons." The nickname reportedly developed when the pair were drinking beer and eating pretzels after a game, when a fan noticed them and yelled, "Look, it's the 'pretzel battery'."
Cincinnati Reds
In November 1895, Peitz was traded by the Browns to the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati 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....
with Red Ehret
Red Ehret
Philip Sydney "Red" Ehret , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played in the majors from 1888-1898 for the Kansas City Cowboys, Louisville Colonels, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Browns, and Cincinnati Reds.-External links:...
in exchange Arlie Latham
Arlie Latham
Walter Arlington Latham was an American third baseman in Major League Baseball from -. He died in Garden City, New York, at the age of 92.-Personality:...
, Ed McFarland
Ed McFarland
Edward William McFarland born in Cleveland, Ohio was a Catcher for the Cleveland Spiders , St. Louis Browns , Philadelphia Phillies , Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox ....
, Morgan Murphy
Morgan Murphy
Morgan Murphy may refer to:*Morgan Murphy , former catcher in Major League Baseball*Morgan Murphy : standup comedian and comedy writer...
, Tom Parrott
Tom Parrott
Thomas William "Tacky Tom" Parrott was a former professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of four seasons with the Chicago Colts, Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Browns...
and cash. Peitz gained his greatest acclaim as the catcher for the Reds from 1896 to 1904. The "Pretzel Battery" was reunited in Cincinnati when Ted Breitenstein was sold to the Reds in 1896. Peitz developed a reputation for his ability to manage pitchers. He caught two no-hitters for the Reds, including the first no-hitter of the 20th century thrown by Reds' pitcher Noodles Hahn
Noodles Hahn
Frank George Hahn was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds and New York Highlanders . Hahn batted and threw left-handed...
in July 1900. Peitz had his best years as a batsman in 1901 and 1902 when he batted .305 and .314, respectively.
Described as "a rough and ready catcher from the old school," Peitz also worked as a "floorwalker" in a Cincinnati pub during the off season.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Late in the 1904 season, the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh 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...
expressed an interest in acquiring Peitz. The club's president, Hermann, noted at the time:
"Catchers of the Peitz kind are scarce. I know he is not a Beaumont on his feet, but he is a corking good man for a team because he always knows what to do and how to do it, and what better do you want? A catcher of the Peitz kind runs the whole game from behind the bat. I wish we had him, and if the Reds let him go it would be a serious mistake."
In February 1905, the Pirates got their opportunity to acquire Peitz and traded Ed Phelps
Ed Phelps
Edward Jaykill Phelps born in Albany, New York was a Catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Cincinnati Reds , St...
to acquire him from the Reds. He played two years with the Pirates in 1905 and 1906. Peitz quickly became a favorite in Pittsburgh. In March 1905, The Pittsburgh Press reported: "He is already one of the most popular men on the team. Peitz may not be the fastest man in the world on his feet, but he can go some with his tongue. The Cincinnati German is the speediest man by far on the team at repartee."
Louisville Colonels
After the 1906 season, Pittsburgh manager Fred ClarkeFred Clarke
Fred Clifford Clarke was a Major League Baseball player from 1894 to and manager from 1897 to 1915. A Hall of Famer, Clarke played for and managed both the Louisville Colonels and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a left fielder and left-handed batter.Of the nine pennants in Pittsburgh franchise...
sent Peitz to the minors, releasing him to the Louisville Colonels 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...
. Despite his talent as a catcher, Peitz was said to be so slow in 1906 that some joked that "he has to drive the ball over the fence to get to first base." When Peitz was sent to Louisville, The Pittsburgh Press noted:
"When it comes to steady backstopping and the intelligent handling of pitchers, so as to get the best possible results out of their work, the German veteran is there with the best of them. No catcher knows the game better than Peitz. There is none better qualified to coach young pitchers and to handle them both before and during a game. Batsmen fear him, for he knows their weaknesses ..."
Another sportswriter noted that the release of Peitz sounded a note of warning that led to the release of other old-time stars: "The greatest must eventually fall, and that is what has happened to Peitz, [Joe] Kelley
Joe Kelley
Joseph James Kelley was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball who starred in the outfield of the powerful Baltimore Oriole teams of the 1890s.-Career:...
and others."
Peitz spent parts of four years playing for Louisville from 1907 to 1910. Peitz also managed the Louisville club and won an American Association pennant with the team in 1909. Peitz was presented with a diamond ring by his players and "local admirers" after leading the team to the pennant.
Peitz was released by Louisville in July 1910 and played briefly during the 1910 season with the Lancaster Lanks
Lancaster Lanks
The Lancaster Lanks, based in Lancaster, Ohio, were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1905 to 1911. They played in the Ohio-Pennsylvania League from 1905 to 1907, and the Ohio State League from 1908 to 1912. On June 18, 1912, they moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey to represent...
of the Ohio State League
Ohio State League
The first Ohio State League was a baseball league in 1887 before changing names to the Tri-State League.The first 20th century Ohio State League started in 1908 as a class D loop and ran through 1916. Another Ohio State League was formed in 1936 and ran through 1947 except for a break in '42-'43...
for a portion of the 1910 season.
Coaching and umpiring career
After retiring as a player, Peitz was a coach with the Cincinnati Reds during the 1912 season. Peitz was described by sportswriter Ken Mulford, Jr., as "one of the prize coaches when he wore the red. His cheery voice was an inspiration to the players on base and, as a matter of whispered fact, there were qualities in that sarcastic little yelp of his that never helped the fellow (pitcher) on the firing line."In January 1913, manager Frank Chance
Frank Chance
Frank Leroy Chance was a Major League Baseball player at the turn of the 20th century. Performing the roles of first baseman and manager, Chance led the Chicago Cubs to four National League championships in the span of five years and earned the nickname "The Peerless Leader".Chance was elected to...
of the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
tried to hire Peitz to work with the Yankees' young pitchers. At the time, Chance opined that Peitz was "one of the best coachers and would be just the man to handle the Yankee boxmen." Peitz instead signed as a coach 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...
during the 1913 season, working principally as a third-base coach. At age 42, Peitz also made a brief return as a player, appearing in three games for the Cardinals in 1913. Peitz's turn at catcher was necessitated due to injuries to the Cardinals' catchers, and Peitz proved to be a valuable substitute. One sportswriter at the time noted: "He performed like a youngster and even showed up the famous [Jimmy] Archer
Jimmy Archer
James Patrick Archer was an Irish-born catcher in Major League Baseball who spent nearly his entire career with four National League teams, primarily the Chicago Cubs, for whom he played from 1909 to 1917...
. He threw the speedy [Heinie] Zimmerman
Heinie Zimmerman
Henry Zimmerman , known as "Heinie" or "The Great Zim," was a Major League Baseball player in the early 20th century. Zimmerman played for the Chicago Cubs and New York Giants...
out twice when he tried to steal."
In September 1914, after being released by the Cardinals, Peitz signed to coach the Kansas City Blues
Kansas City Blues (American Association)
The Kansas City Blues are a former minor league baseball team located in Kansas City, Missouri, in the Midwestern United States. The team was one of the eight founding members of the American Association....
of the American Association.
In January 1915, Peitz was hired as umpire in the Central League
Central League (baseball)
The Central League was a minor league baseball league that operated sporadically from 1903-1917, 1920-1922, 1926, 1928-1930, 1934, and 1948-1951. In 1926, the league merged mid-season with the Michigan State League and played under that name for the remainder of the season...
. In May 1915, Peitz announced his retirement as an umpire, indicating that he had been forced to retire due to illness.
Family and later years
In approximately 1891, Peitz was married to Maggie Peitz, a German immigrant who was born at sea in 1868. At the time of the 1900 United States Census, Peitz and his wife were living in Cincinnati. They had a daughter, Viola (born March 1898), and an infant son (born June 1900).At the time of the 1910 United States Census, Peitz was living in Meade County, Kentucky
Meade County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,349 people, 9,470 households, and 7,396 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 10,293 housing units at an average density of...
with his wife (identified in the census as Martha) and their daughter Viola.
At the time of the 1920 United States Census, Peitz was living in Cincinnati with his wife (identified in the census as Martha) and their daughter Viola. Peitz was employed at that time as a painter with the American Laundry Machinery company in Cincinnati.
At the time of the 1930 United States Census, Peitz was living in Norwood, Ohio
Norwood, Ohio
Norwood is the second most populous city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States. The city is an enclave of the larger city of Cincinnati. The population was 21,675 at the 2000 census. Originally settled as an early suburb of Cincinnati in the wooded countryside north of the city, the area is...
with his wife, Martha. His occupation at that time was listed as a painer at an auto body factory.
In August 1932, Peitz, at age 61, played in an old-timers reunion game in Cincinnati. Others participating in the game included Tris Speaker
Tris Speaker
Tristram E. Speaker , nicknamed "Spoke" and "The Grey Eagle", was an American baseball player. Considered one of the best offensive and defensive center fielders in the history of Major League Baseball, he compiled a career batting average of .345 , and still holds the record of 792 career doubles...
, Honus Wagner
Honus Wagner
-Louisville Colonels:Recognizing his talent, Barrow recommended Wagner to the Louisville Colonels. After some hesitation about his awkward figure, Wagner was signed by the Colonels, where he hit .338 in 61 games....
, Nick Altrock
Nick Altrock
Nicholas Altrock was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball.Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Altrock was one of the better pitchers in baseball for a brief period from to with the Chicago White Sox...
and Cy Young
Cy Young
Denton True "Cy" Young was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. During his 22-year baseball career , he pitched for five different teams. Young was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937...
.
Peitz died at General Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
at the age of 73.
His brother, Joe Peitz
Joe Peitz
Joseph Peitz was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. He played for the St. Louis Browns in 1894.His brother, Heinie Peitz, was his teammate on the Browns.-External links:...
, was his teammate on the Browns in 1894.