Jimmy Barrett
Encyclopedia
James Erigena Barrett was a Major League Baseball
center fielder
. A native of Athol, Massachusetts
, he batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Barrett played 10 seasons in the major leagues with the Cincinnati Reds
(1899–1900, 1906), Detroit Tigers
(1901–05), and Boston Red Sox
(1907–08). Barrett was the first star for the Detroit Tigers
, playing for the Tigers in the first five years of their existence. He left the Tigers with the arrival of a new center fielder
Ty Cobb
. Barrett had a career batting average
of .291 (21 points higher than the league average during the deadball years in which he played). He also had a career on base percentage
of .379. In and , he led the American League
in times on base
and walks
. Despite Barrett's having played in only 866 major league games, baseball historian, Bill James, ranks Barrett as the 72nd best center fielder of all time. ("The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract
" (2001), p. 769)
, Barrett served in the U.S. Army from 1894-96. Barrett joined the company baseball team, playing shortstop for three years.
In 1899, Barrett played for the Detroit
team in the Western Association
before being sold to the Cincinnati Reds
in August 1899. In one month with the Reds in 1899, Barrett hit for a .370 batting average, .477 on base percentage, and .478 slugging percentage. Barrett never matched those numbers again, but continued to be one of the better hitters of his time. In 1900, he hit .316, with a .400 on base percentage and had career highs with 172 hits, 114 runs and 44 stolen bases (both 3rd best in the National League).
, signing with the Detroit Tigers
. Barrett was the star of the Tigers team in the first 5 years of the franchise's history from 1901-1905. In 1901, Barrett was among the league leaders in the American League's inaugural season in runs scored with 110 (5th), bases on balls with 76 (3rd), on base percentage at .385 (9th), times on base with 240 (4th), and plate appearances with 630 (4th).
Barrett continued to rank among the best batters in the American League each year from 1901-1904. His .397 on base percentage in 1902 was fourth highest in the league. His performance in 1903 may have been his best season, leading the league with a .407 on base percentage, 74 bases on balls, and 243 times on base.
In the season, despite a 154-game schedule, Barrett became the first big leaguer to appear in 162 games after Detroit set a season record with 10 tie games. His record for games played
was unmatched until the schedules increased to 162 games in . In 1904, Barrett also led the American League with 79 bases on balls and 249 times on base.
Barrett was also an excellent fielder. He had a strong arm and led all American League
outfielders in assists
in three of the first four American League seasons. From 1900-1904, Barrett racked up an impressive total of 126 assists
including 31 in 1901 and 29 in 1904. He also led American League
outfielders in putouts in 1902 (326) and 1904 (339). His Range factor
score was markedly above the league average from 1900–1904, including 1902 when his 2.56 Range factor
score was 0.52 points above the league average.
During the 1903 and 1904 seasons, Barrett clashed with Detroit manager, Ed Barrow
. In his autobiography, "My Fifty Years in Baseball," Barrow wrote that he never got along with Barrett. When Detroit owner, Frank Navin
, blocked Barrow's efforts to trade the star center fielder, Barrow quit. Barrow wrote that, on one occasion, Barrett complained to Barrow that "your methods take all the individuality away from a ballplayer." Barrow responded, "Young man, if you ever speak to me that way again I will take more than your individuality away from you. I will knock your block off." ("The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract
" (2001), p. 769)
In 1905, Barrow was gone as the Tigers' manager, but a leg injury slowed Barrett and resulted in his appearing in only 20 games. When Ty Cobb
joined the Tigers in August, Barrett faced a new threat. Detroit's new manager Bill Armour
introduced Cobb to Barrett. He told Cobb that Barrett's "knee was on the bum, and I'm using you in his place in center field. (Ty Cobb, "My Life in Baseball," p. 22) Barrett was given the task of teaching Cobb the team's signs, which included a system Barrett had developed in 1905 for stealing the opponents' signs. Cobb wrote in his autobiography that the injured Barrett would sit in the center field stands with a pair of spyglasses "strong enough to pick out the fillings in the opposition catcher's teeth." (Id.) Barrett would then relay the signs to the batter using markings on a fence sign advertising the Detroit News.
As Cobb proved his potential in 1905, Barrett became expendable. Barrett began to resent the young Cobb, who was a clear threat to his job. In early 1906, the Tigers sold Barrett back to the Cincinnati Reds
, where he played in only five games.
in 1907 and 1908. However, he was never the same either as a batter or a fielder. He hit .244 in 1907 and dropped to .125 in 1908. He played his final major league game on May 13, 1908. A knee injury ended his career prematurely.
He became a senior partner in the real estate firm of Barrett & Walsh in Detroit, Michigan
. Barrett died from "a stroke of apoplexy
" (for the avoidance of doubt, apoplexy is an outdated medical term) at his office in October 1921 at age 46. He was buried in Detroit's Mount Olivet Cemetery
.
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...
center fielder
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
. A native of Athol, Massachusetts
Athol, Massachusetts
Athol is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 11,584 at the 2010 census.-History:Originally called Pequoiag, the area was first settled by five families in September 1735. When the township was incorporated in 1762, the name was changed to Athol...
, he batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Barrett played 10 seasons in the major leagues with 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....
(1899–1900, 1906), Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
(1901–05), and Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(1907–08). Barrett was the first star for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, playing for the Tigers in the first five years of their existence. He left the Tigers with the arrival of a new center fielder
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
. Barrett had a career batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
of .291 (21 points higher than the league average during the deadball years in which he played). He also had a 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...
of .379. In and , he led the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
in times on base
Times on base
In baseball statistics, the term times on base, also abbreviated as TOB, is the cumulative total number of times a batter has been awarded for reaching base as a result of hits, walks and hit by pitches. This stat does not include times reaching first by way of error, dropped 3rd strike, fielders...
and walks
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...
. Despite Barrett's having played in only 866 major league games, baseball historian, Bill James, ranks Barrett as the 72nd best center fielder of all time. ("The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract
The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract
The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract is a reference-type book written by Bill James featuring an overview of baseball decade by decade, along with rankings of the top 100 players at each position. The original edition was published in 1985 by Villard Books, followed by The New Bill James...
" (2001), p. 769)
Early years
Born in Athol, MassachusettsAthol, Massachusetts
Athol is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 11,584 at the 2010 census.-History:Originally called Pequoiag, the area was first settled by five families in September 1735. When the township was incorporated in 1762, the name was changed to Athol...
, Barrett served in the U.S. Army from 1894-96. Barrett joined the company baseball team, playing shortstop for three years.
In 1899, Barrett played for the Detroit
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
team in the Western Association
Western Association
The Western Association was the name of five different leagues in American minor league baseball during the 19th and 20th centuries.The oldest league, originally established as the Northwestern League in 1883, was refounded as the Western Association on October 28, 1887...
before being sold to 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....
in August 1899. In one month with the Reds in 1899, Barrett hit for a .370 batting average, .477 on base percentage, and .478 slugging percentage. Barrett never matched those numbers again, but continued to be one of the better hitters of his time. In 1900, he hit .316, with a .400 on base percentage and had career highs with 172 hits, 114 runs and 44 stolen bases (both 3rd best in the National League).
Detroit Tigers (1901-1905)
In 1901, Barrett jumped to the newly formed American LeagueAmerican League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
, signing with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. Barrett was the star of the Tigers team in the first 5 years of the franchise's history from 1901-1905. In 1901, Barrett was among the league leaders in the American League's inaugural season in runs scored with 110 (5th), bases on balls with 76 (3rd), on base percentage at .385 (9th), times on base with 240 (4th), and plate appearances with 630 (4th).
In the season, despite a 154-game schedule, Barrett became the first big leaguer to appear in 162 games after Detroit set a season record with 10 tie games. His record for games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
was unmatched until the schedules increased to 162 games in . In 1904, Barrett also led the American League with 79 bases on balls and 249 times on base.
Barrett was also an excellent fielder. He had a strong arm and led all American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
outfielders in assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
in three of the first four American League seasons. From 1900-1904, Barrett racked up an impressive total of 126 assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
including 31 in 1901 and 29 in 1904. He also led American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
outfielders in putouts in 1902 (326) and 1904 (339). His Range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
score was markedly above the league average from 1900–1904, including 1902 when his 2.56 Range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
score was 0.52 points above the league average.
During the 1903 and 1904 seasons, Barrett clashed with Detroit manager, Ed Barrow
Ed Barrow
Edward Grant Barrow was an American manager and executive in Major League Baseball, primarily with the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox...
. In his autobiography, "My Fifty Years in Baseball," Barrow wrote that he never got along with Barrett. When Detroit owner, Frank Navin
Frank Navin
Francis Joseph Navin was the principal owner of the Detroit Tigers in Major League Baseball for 27 years, from 1909 to 1935. He also served as vice president and acting president of the American League....
, blocked Barrow's efforts to trade the star center fielder, Barrow quit. Barrow wrote that, on one occasion, Barrett complained to Barrow that "your methods take all the individuality away from a ballplayer." Barrow responded, "Young man, if you ever speak to me that way again I will take more than your individuality away from you. I will knock your block off." ("The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract
The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract
The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract is a reference-type book written by Bill James featuring an overview of baseball decade by decade, along with rankings of the top 100 players at each position. The original edition was published in 1985 by Villard Books, followed by The New Bill James...
" (2001), p. 769)
In 1905, Barrow was gone as the Tigers' manager, but a leg injury slowed Barrett and resulted in his appearing in only 20 games. When Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
joined the Tigers in August, Barrett faced a new threat. Detroit's new manager Bill Armour
Bill Armour
William Reginald Armour was an American manager in Major League Baseball who led the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians in the early 1900s. Armour was Ty Cobb's first manager in 1905....
introduced Cobb to Barrett. He told Cobb that Barrett's "knee was on the bum, and I'm using you in his place in center field. (Ty Cobb, "My Life in Baseball," p. 22) Barrett was given the task of teaching Cobb the team's signs, which included a system Barrett had developed in 1905 for stealing the opponents' signs. Cobb wrote in his autobiography that the injured Barrett would sit in the center field stands with a pair of spyglasses "strong enough to pick out the fillings in the opposition catcher's teeth." (Id.) Barrett would then relay the signs to the batter using markings on a fence sign advertising the Detroit News.
As Cobb proved his potential in 1905, Barrett became expendable. Barrett began to resent the young Cobb, who was a clear threat to his job. In early 1906, the Tigers sold Barrett back to 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....
, where he played in only five games.
Later years
Barrett spent his final two seasons in the major leagues playing for the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in 1907 and 1908. However, he was never the same either as a batter or a fielder. He hit .244 in 1907 and dropped to .125 in 1908. He played his final major league game on May 13, 1908. A knee injury ended his career prematurely.
He became a senior partner in the real estate firm of Barrett & Walsh in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
. Barrett died from "a stroke of apoplexy
Apoplexy
Apoplexy is a medical term, which can be used to describe 'bleeding' in a stroke . Without further specification, it is rather outdated in use. Today it is used only for specific conditions, such as pituitary apoplexy and ovarian apoplexy. In common speech, it is used non-medically to mean a state...
" (for the avoidance of doubt, apoplexy is an outdated medical term) at his office in October 1921 at age 46. He was buried in Detroit's Mount Olivet Cemetery
Mount Olivet Cemetery (Detroit)
Mt. Olivet Cemetery is a cemetery at 17100 Van Dyke Avenue in the city of Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan. It opened in 1888 and is owned and operated by the Mount Elliott Cemetery Association, a not-for-profit Catholic organization. At , it is the largest cemetery in Detroit.Notable people...
.