Encyclopedia Dubuque
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COMISKEY, Charles Albert: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:CharlesComiskey250.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]COMISKEY, Charles Albert. (Chicago, IL, Aug. 15, 1859-Eagle River, WI, Nov. 26, 1931). "Old Roman." Comiskey was the only [[BASEBALL]] player ever to become the sole owner of a major league baseball team. Comiskey began his illustrious baseball career in 1878 when he joined the Dubuque Rabbits. Nineteen years old and an employee of the | [[Image:CharlesComiskey250.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]COMISKEY, Charles Albert. (Chicago, IL, Aug. 15, 1859-Eagle River, WI, Nov. 26, 1931). "Old Roman." Comiskey was the only [[BASEBALL]] player ever to become the sole owner of a major league baseball team. (1) Comiskey began his illustrious baseball career in 1878 when he joined the Dubuque Rabbits. Nineteen years old and an employee of the [[ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD]] that ran between Dubuque and Chicago, Comiskey practiced and played baseball in the sandlots around the Central depot during layovers. He joined the Dubuque club the same year and played on the 1879 team that defeated the Chicago White Sox to claim the world championship. | ||
It was during his career with the Dubuque club that Comiskey revolutionized the play at first base. He developed a system for leaving the base to cover part of the field between first and second bases. Prior to this, first basemen never left the bag. Comiskey positioned himself deep behind first and slightly to the right of the base. While many criticized the idea, Comiskey proved capable of covering many short hits that had previously allowed runners to successfully reach first. While he was primarily used on first base, Comiskey eventually saw action at nearly every position. While playing in Dubuque, he earned fifty dollars per month. | It was during his career with the Dubuque club that Comiskey revolutionized the play at first base. He developed a system for leaving the base to cover part of the field between first and second bases. Prior to this, first basemen never left the bag. Comiskey positioned himself deep behind first and slightly to the right of the base. While many criticized the idea, Comiskey proved capable of covering many short hits that had previously allowed runners to successfully reach first. While he was primarily used on first base, Comiskey eventually saw action at nearly every position. While playing in Dubuque, he earned fifty dollars per month. | ||
In 1882 Comiskey | In 1882 Comiskey made his professional debut with the St. Louis Brown Stockings of the American Association. Comiskey played eight seasons with St. Louis, mostly at first base. By 1887, he had racked up 139 runs and 117 stolen bases, the third most steals in a season before the modern era (before 1900). From 1883 to 1889 he served as St. Louis’ player-manager, leading his team to the American Association pennant four consecutive seasons from 1885 to 1888. In 1890, he left St. Louis for the Chicago franchise of the short-lived Players League. (2) | ||
[[COMISKEY PARK]] in Dubuque was dedicated to this outstanding sports figure on June 20, 1929. | Comiskey ended his playing and managing career with the Cincinnati Reds of the National League, retiring after the 1894 season with a managerial record of 838-541. His .608 career winning percentage is the second best in baseball history behind Joe McCarthy. (3) Among those with whom he worked was [[ROWLAND, Clarence "Pants"|Clarence "Pants" ROWLAND]]. | ||
[[COMISKEY PARK]] in Dubuque was dedicated to this outstanding sports figure on June 20, 1929. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame by Old Timers Committee as Pioneer/Executive in 1939. (4) | |||
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Source: | |||
1. "This Day in History," "Albert Comiskey. History.com Online: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/charles-comiskey-born | |||
2. Ibid. | |||
3. Ibid. | |||
4. "Charlie Comiskey," Baseball-Reference.com. Online: http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/comisch01.shtml | |||
[[Category: Athletics-Baseball]] | [[Category: Athletics-Baseball]] | ||
Revision as of 04:03, 27 November 2014
COMISKEY, Charles Albert. (Chicago, IL, Aug. 15, 1859-Eagle River, WI, Nov. 26, 1931). "Old Roman." Comiskey was the only BASEBALL player ever to become the sole owner of a major league baseball team. (1) Comiskey began his illustrious baseball career in 1878 when he joined the Dubuque Rabbits. Nineteen years old and an employee of the ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD that ran between Dubuque and Chicago, Comiskey practiced and played baseball in the sandlots around the Central depot during layovers. He joined the Dubuque club the same year and played on the 1879 team that defeated the Chicago White Sox to claim the world championship.
It was during his career with the Dubuque club that Comiskey revolutionized the play at first base. He developed a system for leaving the base to cover part of the field between first and second bases. Prior to this, first basemen never left the bag. Comiskey positioned himself deep behind first and slightly to the right of the base. While many criticized the idea, Comiskey proved capable of covering many short hits that had previously allowed runners to successfully reach first. While he was primarily used on first base, Comiskey eventually saw action at nearly every position. While playing in Dubuque, he earned fifty dollars per month.
In 1882 Comiskey made his professional debut with the St. Louis Brown Stockings of the American Association. Comiskey played eight seasons with St. Louis, mostly at first base. By 1887, he had racked up 139 runs and 117 stolen bases, the third most steals in a season before the modern era (before 1900). From 1883 to 1889 he served as St. Louis’ player-manager, leading his team to the American Association pennant four consecutive seasons from 1885 to 1888. In 1890, he left St. Louis for the Chicago franchise of the short-lived Players League. (2)
Comiskey ended his playing and managing career with the Cincinnati Reds of the National League, retiring after the 1894 season with a managerial record of 838-541. His .608 career winning percentage is the second best in baseball history behind Joe McCarthy. (3) Among those with whom he worked was Clarence "Pants" ROWLAND.
COMISKEY PARK in Dubuque was dedicated to this outstanding sports figure on June 20, 1929. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame by Old Timers Committee as Pioneer/Executive in 1939. (4)
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Source:
1. "This Day in History," "Albert Comiskey. History.com Online: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/charles-comiskey-born
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. "Charlie Comiskey," Baseball-Reference.com. Online: http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/comisch01.shtml