Red Ames
Encyclopedia
Leon Kessling "Red" Ames (August 2, 1882 – October 8, 1936) was an American
pitcher
in Major League Baseball
for the New York Giants
, Cincinnati Reds
, St. Louis Cardinals
, and Philadelphia Phillies
.
, Ames was a third or fourth starter for the New York Giants during their early period of dominance under John McGraw. He made his debut on September 14, 1903, pitching an abbreviated five-inning no-hitter
against the Cardinals. He did not join the rotation full time until 1905, when his 22 win
s and 2.74 ERA
helped the Giants win the pennant. This was by far his best season, for although the Giants were perennial contenders during this time, injury and wildness kept him from becoming a star despite being the opening day pitcher three years running. A career ERA of 2.63 ties him with Cy Young
.
He pitched in three World Series
total with the Giants (1905, 1911, 1912) but because he was only a third or fourth starter in an era when top pitchers pitched more games than they do today, he appeared almost entirely in relief, making only one World Series start in 1911, which he lost. He was traded to the Reds in 1913, and never approached his earlier success with the Giants for the rest of his career.
Ames' greatest distinction was being one of the wildest pitchers in history, his curveball charitably described as, "dramatic." He is tied with Walter Johnson
for the most wild pitch
es in a career with 156 (though he pitched less than half the innings that Johnson did) and his 30 wild pitches in 1905 is a single season record. He led the league again in 1907 with 20. Other notables are leading the National League in saves with 6 in 1914 and 8 in 1916, and in strikeouts per 9 innings pitched in 1905 (6.78), 1906 (6.90), and 1907 (5.63).
His notorious bad luck was evident on opening day, April 15, 1909, where he achieved the unique feat of losing a no-hitter in a game where he didn't give up a hit until the 10th, or run until the 13th inning (but still got credit for 9 no-hit innings).
for three more years and managed briefly in the minors in 1923. Ames's son, Red Ames Jr., played in the minor leagues for several years.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
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...
for 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....
, 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....
, St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, and Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.
Major league career
Born in Warren, OhioWarren, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 46,832 people, 19,288 households and 12,035 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,912.4 people per square mile . There were 21,279 housing units at an average density of 1,322.9 per square mile...
, Ames was a third or fourth starter for the New York Giants during their early period of dominance under John McGraw. He made his debut on September 14, 1903, pitching an abbreviated five-inning 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"...
against the Cardinals. He did not join the rotation full time until 1905, when his 22 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...
s and 2.74 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...
helped the Giants win the pennant. This was by far his best season, for although the Giants were perennial contenders during this time, injury and wildness kept him from becoming a star despite being the opening day pitcher three years running. A career ERA of 2.63 ties him with Cy Young
Cy Young
Denton True "Cy" Young was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. During his 22-year baseball career , he pitched for five different teams. Young was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937...
.
He pitched in three 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...
total with the Giants (1905, 1911, 1912) but because he was only a third or fourth starter in an era when top pitchers pitched more games than they do today, he appeared almost entirely in relief, making only one World Series start in 1911, which he lost. He was traded to the Reds in 1913, and never approached his earlier success with the Giants for the rest of his career.
Ames' greatest distinction was being one of the wildest pitchers in history, his curveball charitably described as, "dramatic." He is tied with Walter Johnson
Walter Johnson
Walter Perry Johnson , nicknamed "Barney" and "The Big Train", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Washington Senators...
for the most wild pitch
Wild pitch
In baseball, a wild pitch is charged against a pitcher when his pitch is too high, too short, or too wide of home plate for the catcher to control with ordinary effort, thereby allowing a baserunner, perhaps even the batter-runner on strike three or ball four, to advance.A wild pitch usually...
es in a career with 156 (though he pitched less than half the innings that Johnson did) and his 30 wild pitches in 1905 is a single season record. He led the league again in 1907 with 20. Other notables are leading the National League in saves with 6 in 1914 and 8 in 1916, and in strikeouts per 9 innings pitched in 1905 (6.78), 1906 (6.90), and 1907 (5.63).
His notorious bad luck was evident on opening day, April 15, 1909, where he achieved the unique feat of losing a no-hitter in a game where he didn't give up a hit until the 10th, or run until the 13th inning (but still got credit for 9 no-hit innings).
Later years
After leaving the majors, he pitched in the minorsMinor 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...
for three more years and managed briefly in the minors in 1923. Ames's son, Red Ames Jr., played in the minor leagues for several years.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of Major League Baseball saves champions
External links
- The Baseball Biography Project
- Leon "Red" Ames at Find-A-Grave