Frank Kitson (baseball)
Frank Kitson | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: Hopkins, Michigan | September 11, 1869|
Died: April 14, 1930 Allegan, Michigan | (aged 60)|
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
May 19, 1898, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
Last MLB appearance | |
July 22, 1907, for the New York Highlanders | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 128–117 |
Earned run average | 3.18 |
Strikeouts | 729 |
Teams | |
| |
Career highlights and awards | |
|
Frank R. Kitson (September 11, 1869 – April 14, 1930) was an American baseball pitcher.
A native of Michigan, Kitson played 10 seasons in
Kitson helped lead the 1900 Brooklyn Superbas to the National League pennant. He had 22 wins in 1899 and won at least 15 games five consecutive years from 1899 to 1903. He compiled a career record of 128–117 with a 3.18 earned run average (ERA) and 729 strikeouts. He appeared in 304 games and threw 211 complete games.[1]
Early years
Kitson was born in 1869 at Hopkins, Michigan.[1]
Professional baseball player
Minor leagues
The first record of Kitson's professional baseball career is in 1895 when he played for the
Baltimore and Brooklyn
In August 1897, the
Kitson's major league career got off to a roller coaster start in Baltimore. In his first start on May 19, 1898, he shut out the Pittsburgh Pirates. Six days later, the Cubs scored 20 runs off him; the game was called after seven innings with the Cubs ahead 20–4. In his second season in Baltimore, Kitson appeared in 40 games and compiled a 22-16 record in 326+2⁄3 innings pitched.[1] He ranked among the National League leaders with a 2.77 ERA (sixth), 22 wins (10th), and 34 complete games (10th).[1] Kitson also contributed with a .314 batting average, three triples, and 16 RBIs.[1]
The Orioles folded after the 1899 season, and a number of players, including Kitson, were transferred the
He improved in 1901, compiling a 19-11 record with a 2.98 ERA in 38 games pitched. He also led the National League with four saves.[1] On July 25, he pitched a one-hitter against Christy Mathewson and the New York Giants, and The Brookly Daily Eagle reported that Kitson's "speed, curves and command was perfect and the Giants were helpless in his hands."[6]
In 1902, Kitson again won 19 games for Brooklyn, compiling a 19-13 record with a 2.85 ERA in 32 games pitched. He ranked among the National League's leaders with 19 wins (eighth), 109 strikeouts (ninth), and 29 complete games (10th).[1]
Detroit Tigers
On October 25, 1902, he left Brooklyn to sign with the Detroit Tigers in the American League. In his first season in Detroit, he compiled a 15-16 record with a career-best 2.58 ERA. He remained with the Tigers for two more seasons, compiling a 9-13 record, 3.07 ERA in 1904, and a 12-14 record, 3.47 ERA in 1905.[1]
Washington and New York
On December 5, 1905, the Tigers traded Kitson to the Washington Senators in exchange for Happy Townsend. He compiled a 6-14 record and 3.65 for the Senators in 1906. He began the 1907 with the Senators and lost his first three decisions with a 3.94 ERA.[1]
On May 30, 1907, the Senators sold Kitson to the
In 249 major league games, Kitson posted a 128–117 record with a 3.18 ERA. He also compiled a respectable .240 batting average (235-for-979) with 4 home runs and 95 RBI.[1]
Later years
Kitson died in April 1930 at his farm located two-and-a-half miles north of Allegan, Michigan. He had been suffering from a heart ailment for several years before his death.[7] He was interred in Hudson Corners Cemetery.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Frank Kitson". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
- ^ "Frank Kitson Minor League Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)