Kid Durbin
Encyclopedia
Blaine Alphonsus "Kid" Durbin (September 10, 1886 – September 11, 1943) was a left-handed Major League Baseball
outfielder
and pitcher
. He was born in Lamar, Missouri
. Durbin was short for a Major League Baseball player, listed only at 5' 8" tall and weighing 155 pounds, which may have resulted in him not having a better chance to play at the big league level full time.
. That season, he appeared in 5 games as a pitcher, going 0-1 with a save. He also played the outfield in 5 games that season. He played for the Chicago Cubs
during their 1907 and 1908 pennant-winning seasons but did not play either World Series
. Before he was traded by the Cubs on January 18, 1909 along with Tom Downey to the Cincinnati Reds
for John Kane
, he had a batting average
of only .250 and over 14 games played. He played six games for the Cincinnati Reds. A few months later, Durbin was traded on May 28, 1909 to the Pittsburgh Pirates
for Ward Miller
and cash. He finished his Major League career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, playing his final game on June 30, 1909.
, Durbin retired as a baseball player. Kid Durbin became married after his Major League Baseball career, also becoming a baker in a restaurant after his career. Just 1 day after his 57th birthday on September 11, 1943, Durbin died due to a coronary thrombosis
in Kirkwood, Missouri
. Durbin's burial is located at Saint Peters Cemetery in Normandy
at St. Louis County
in Missouri. Durbin was memorialized as the protagonist in the in the historical novel "The Best Team Ever" (2008) by Alan Alop and Doc Noel (ISBN 978-1935098027).
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...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
and 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...
. He was born in Lamar, Missouri
Lamar, Missouri
Lamar is a city in Barton County, Missouri, United States. The population was 4,474 at the 2011 census. It is the county seat of Barton County. Lamar is well known as the birthplace of President Harry S. Truman.-Geography:...
. Durbin was short for a Major League Baseball player, listed only at 5' 8" tall and weighing 155 pounds, which may have resulted in him not having a better chance to play at the big league level full time.
Major League career
Kid Durbin made his Major League debut on April 24, 1907, for the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. That season, he appeared in 5 games as a pitcher, going 0-1 with a save. He also played the outfield in 5 games that season. He played for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
during their 1907 and 1908 pennant-winning seasons but did not play either World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
. Before he was traded by the Cubs on January 18, 1909 along with Tom Downey 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....
for John Kane
John Kane
John Kane was an American painter celebrated for his skill in Naïve art.He was the first self-taught American painter in the 20th century to be recognized by a museum...
, he had a 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 only .250 and over 14 games played. He played six games for the Cincinnati Reds. A few months later, Durbin was traded on May 28, 1909 to 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...
for Ward Miller
Ward Miller (baseball)
Ward Taylor Miller , was a professional baseball player who played outfielder in the Major Leagues from -. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Terriers, and St...
and cash. He finished his Major League career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, playing his final game on June 30, 1909.
After career
After playing a few years in Minor League BaseballMinor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
, Durbin retired as a baseball player. Kid Durbin became married after his Major League Baseball career, also becoming a baker in a restaurant after his career. Just 1 day after his 57th birthday on September 11, 1943, Durbin died due to a coronary thrombosis
Coronary thrombosis
Coronary thrombosis is a form of thrombosis affecting the coronary circulation. It is associated with stenosis subsequent to clotting. The condition is considered as a type of ischaemic heart disease.It can lead to a myocardial infarction...
in Kirkwood, Missouri
Kirkwood, Missouri
Kirkwood is an inner-ring suburb of St. Louis, located in St. Louis County, Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,540. Founded in 1853, the city is named for James Pugh Kirkwood, builder of the Pacific Railroad through that town. It was the first planned suburb located west...
. Durbin's burial is located at Saint Peters Cemetery in Normandy
Normandy, Missouri
Normandy is a city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 5,008 at the 2010 census.-History:The town is on land once owned by Charles Lucas. Lucas obtained property from the federal government with land grants, and he purchased the land from victims of the New Madrid...
at St. Louis County
St. Louis County, Missouri
St. Louis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. Its county seat is Clayton. St. Louis County is part of the St. Louis Metro Area wherein the independent City of St. Louis and its suburbs in St. Louis County, as well as the surrounding counties in both Missouri and Illinois all...
in Missouri. Durbin was memorialized as the protagonist in the in the historical novel "The Best Team Ever" (2008) by Alan Alop and Doc Noel (ISBN 978-1935098027).