Hod Eller
Encyclopedia
Horace Owen Eller was a pitcher
in Major League Baseball
.
Eller started his minor league career in 1913 and was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds
after the 1916 season. He pitched five years for the Reds, going 60-40 with a 2.62 earned run average
(108 Adjusted ERA+
).
Eller peaked in the Reds' pennant-winning 1919 season. He pitched a no-hitter
, led the team in innings, and went 19-9 with a 2.39 ERA. He then pitched two complete game victories in the World Series
, but it was later revealed that members of the Chicago White Sox
had intentionally thrown the series for money. In Game Five of that Series, Eller shut out the White Sox 5-0 with nine strikeout
s, including six consecutively—a record that would be tied by Moe Drabowsky
in the 1966 World Series
opener.
After his major league career ended, Eller played in the minors for a few years. He retired in 1924.
The Baseball Record Book records that on August 21, 1917, Eller struck out three batters on nine pitches in the ninth inning of a 7-5 win over the New York Giants
; however, the New York Times from the day after the game noted that Eller allowed a single to start that inning, and so did not officially achieve an immaculate inning.
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...
.
Eller started his minor league career in 1913 and was drafted by 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....
after the 1916 season. He pitched five years for the Reds, going 60-40 with a 2.62 earned run average
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...
(108 Adjusted ERA+
Adjusted ERA+
Adjusted ERA+, often simply abbreviated to ERA+ or ERA plus, is a pitching statistic in baseball. It adjusts a pitcher's earned run average according to the pitcher's ballpark and the ERA of the pitcher's league...
).
Eller peaked in the Reds' pennant-winning 1919 season. He pitched a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
, led the team in innings, and went 19-9 with a 2.39 ERA. He then pitched two complete game victories in the World Series
1919 World Series
The 1919 World Series matched the American League champion Chicago White Sox against the National League champion Cincinnati Reds. Although most World Series have been of the best-of-seven format, the 1919 World Series was a best-of-nine series...
, but it was later revealed that members of 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...
had intentionally thrown the series for money. In Game Five of that Series, Eller shut out the White Sox 5-0 with nine strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s, including six consecutively—a record that would be tied by Moe Drabowsky
Moe Drabowsky
Myron Walter Drabowsky was a Polish-American right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago Cubs , Milwaukee Braves , Cincinnati Reds , Kansas City Athletics , Baltimore Orioles , Kansas City Royals , St...
in the 1966 World Series
1966 World Series
The 1966 World Series matched the Baltimore Orioles against the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers, with the Orioles sweeping the Series in four games to capture their first championship in franchise history...
opener.
After his major league career ended, Eller played in the minors for a few years. He retired in 1924.
The Baseball Record Book records that on August 21, 1917, Eller struck out three batters on nine pitches in the ninth inning of a 7-5 win over the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
; however, the New York Times from the day after the game noted that Eller allowed a single to start that inning, and so did not officially achieve an immaculate inning.
External links
- Obituary at The Deadball Era