Jiggs Donahue
Encyclopedia
John Augustus "Jiggs" Donahue (July 13, 1879 - July 19, 1913) was a Major League Baseball
player for 9 seasons from 1900-1909. Born in Springfield, Ohio
, Donahue began his career as a catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates
(1900-1901), Milwaukee Brewers
(1901), and St. Louis Browns
(1902).
Donahue had his greatest success from 1904-1908, after switching to first base for the Chicago White Sox
. Donahue's defensive skills were a key to the White Sox' 1906 World Series
championship team, and he led American League first basemen in fielding percentage, assists, and putouts for 3 consecutive seasons, from 1905-1907. In 1907, Donahue had 1,846 putouts, which is still the major league record for putouts by a first baseman. He also holds the major league single season record for most chances accepted per game with 12.65 in 1907.
Though known mostly for his fielding, Donahue was also a decent hitter from 1905-1907. In 1905, he was among the American League leaders in batting average (.287), on-base percentage (.346), RBIs (76), and stolen bases (32). In 1906, Donahue was among the league leaders in stolen bases (36) and sacrifice hits (36) and was one of only three White Sox starters to bat over .250 for the 1906 World Champion "Hitless Wonders." Donahue also paced all batters with a .333 mark in the 1906 World Series.
On October 10, 1906, Donahue broke up a World Series no-hit bid by Cubs' pitcher Ed Reulbach
with a single in the 7th inning.
In 1907, Donahue led the league in games played (157) and at bats (609) and was among the leaders in hits (158) and RBIs (68).
In Detroit on May 31, 1908, Donahue recorded 21 putouts in a nine-inning game.
In 9 seasons, Donahue played in 813 games with 731 hits, 319 runs scored, 327 RBIs, 143 stolen bases, 90 doubles, 31 triples, and a .255 batting average.
Donahue contracted syphilis
and died in 1913 at age 34. He was survived by a brother, Pat Donahue
, a major league catcher in the years 1908-10.
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...
player for 9 seasons from 1900-1909. Born in Springfield, Ohio
Springfield, Ohio
Springfield is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Clark County. The municipality is located in southwestern Ohio and is situated on the Mad River, Buck Creek and Beaver Creek, approximately west of Columbus and northeast of Dayton. Springfield is home to Wittenberg...
, Donahue began his career as a catcher 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...
(1900-1901), Milwaukee Brewers
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...
(1901), and 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...
(1902).
Donahue had his greatest success from 1904-1908, after switching to first base 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...
. Donahue's defensive skills were a key to the White Sox' 1906 World Series
1906 World Series
- Game 1 :Tuesday, October 9, 1906 at West Side Grounds in Chicago, IllinoisCubs hurler Mordecai Brown was sent to continue the dominance against Nick Altrock. Both pitchers pitched a perfect game through three innings. The Cubs had a runner at second, but couldn't score in the fourth...
championship team, and he led American League first basemen in fielding percentage, assists, and putouts for 3 consecutive seasons, from 1905-1907. In 1907, Donahue had 1,846 putouts, which is still the major league record for putouts by a first baseman. He also holds the major league single season record for most chances accepted per game with 12.65 in 1907.
On October 10, 1906, Donahue broke up a World Series no-hit bid by Cubs' pitcher Ed Reulbach
Ed Reulbach
Edward Marvin "Big Ed" Reulbach was a major league baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs during their glory years of the early 1900s....
with a single in the 7th inning.
In 1907, Donahue led the league in games played (157) and at bats (609) and was among the leaders in hits (158) and RBIs (68).
In Detroit on May 31, 1908, Donahue recorded 21 putouts in a nine-inning game.
In 9 seasons, Donahue played in 813 games with 731 hits, 319 runs scored, 327 RBIs, 143 stolen bases, 90 doubles, 31 triples, and a .255 batting average.
Donahue contracted syphilis
Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. The primary route of transmission is through sexual contact; however, it may also be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy or at birth, resulting in congenital syphilis...
and died in 1913 at age 34. He was survived by a brother, Pat Donahue
Pat Donahue
Patrick William "Pat" Donahue was a Major League Baseball catcher. He started into professional baseball when he was only 23. He played as a catcher and first baseman. In the three years he played pro ball, he only hit three home runs. He was on the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Athletics and the...
, a major league catcher in the years 1908-10.