Jim St.Vrain
Encyclopedia
James Marcellin St.Vrain (June 6, 1883 - June 12, 1937), a native of Ralls County, Missouri, was a Major League Baseball
pitcher
. The left-hander played for the Chicago Orphans in 1902, and at just 19 years of age he was the youngest player to appear in a National League
game that season.
St.Vrain made his major league debut in a road game against the Cincinnati Reds
at the Palace of the Fans
(April 20, 1902). He pitched well, but the Orphans lost 2-1. His first major league win
came against the New York Giants
on May 9. He pitched a 5-0 complete game
shutout
in front of the home crowd at West Side Park
.
St.Vrain pitched well during his only season but gave up a lot of unearned runs. He is also remembered for running the wrong way on the bases; although he was a left-handed pitcher, St.Vrain batted right-handed. One day, manager Frank Selee
suggested he try batting left-handed, and upon making contact with the ball, St.Vrain was confused enough to run to third base (he was thrown out at first base).
In a total of 12 games, 11 starts, 10 complete games, and 95 innings pitched
, he had 51 strikeouts and only 25 walks, and gave up just 22 earned runs. Though his record was 4-6, his ERA
was a sparkling 2.08.
St.Vrain died at the age of 54 in Butte, Montana
.
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...
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...
. The left-hander played for the Chicago Orphans in 1902, and at just 19 years of age he was the youngest player to appear in a National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
game that season.
St.Vrain made his major league debut in a road game against 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....
at the Palace of the Fans
Palace of the Fans
Palace of the Fans was a Major League baseball park located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the home of the Cincinnati Reds from 1902 through 1911....
(April 20, 1902). He pitched well, but the Orphans lost 2-1. His first major league win
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
came against 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....
on May 9. He pitched a 5-0 complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
in front of the home crowd at West Side Park
West Side Park
West Side Park was the name used for two different baseball parks that formerly stood in Chicago, Illinois. They were both home fields of the team now known as the Chicago Cubs of the National League. Both parks witnessed championship baseball...
.
St.Vrain pitched well during his only season but gave up a lot of unearned runs. He is also remembered for running the wrong way on the bases; although he was a left-handed pitcher, St.Vrain batted right-handed. One day, manager Frank Selee
Frank Selee
Frank Gibson Selee was an American Major League Baseball manager in the National League . In his 16 year Major League career, he managed the Boston Beaneaters for 12 seasons, and the Chicago Orphans for four.He was noted for his ability to assess and utilize talent, which gave his teams a great...
suggested he try batting left-handed, and upon making contact with the ball, St.Vrain was confused enough to run to third base (he was thrown out at first base).
In a total of 12 games, 11 starts, 10 complete games, and 95 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
, he had 51 strikeouts and only 25 walks, and gave up just 22 earned runs. Though his record was 4-6, his 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...
was a sparkling 2.08.
St.Vrain died at the age of 54 in Butte, Montana
Butte, Montana
Butte is a city in Montana and the county seat of Silver Bow County, United States. In 1977, the city and county governments consolidated to form the sole entity of Butte-Silver Bow. As of the 2010 census, Butte's population was 34,200...
.