Spencer Heath (baseball)
Spencer Heath | |
---|---|
Chicago, Illinois | |
Died: January 25, 1930 Chicago, Illinois | (aged 36)|
Batted: Both Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
May 4, 1920, for the Chicago White Sox | |
Last MLB appearance | |
July 17, 1920, for the Chicago White Sox | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 0–0 |
Earned run average | 15.43 |
Strikeouts | 0 |
Teams | |
Spencer Paul Heath (November 5, 1893 – January 25, 1930) was an American
Heath was born in Chicago, Illinois, where he lived much of his life. After one season of Minor League Baseball with the Winnipeg Maroons in 1919, he joined the White Sox in 1920. Though he was part of their Opening Day roster in April and stayed with the team through July, he only appeared in four games before the team released him. Afterwards, he played semipro baseball and worked for the Chicago Police Department before dying of double lobar pneumonia and influenza in 1930.
Early life
Spencer Paul Heath was born on November 5, 1893, in Chicago, Illinois.[1] His parents were Spencer and Agatha. Well-known around Chicago for his skills in semipro baseball, Heath played for Garden City, the Gunthers, and the Ciceros of the Chicago City League.[2]
During World War I, Heath served his country at the Great Lakes Naval Base, working as an electrician. He also played on the base's baseball team. Heath was discharged following the war.[2]
Winnipeg Maroons (1919)
Heath played one season of
Chicago White Sox (1920)
At spring training for the first time with the White Sox in 1920, Heath pitched well enough to be named to the team's Opening Day roster. Baseball historian Frank Russo noted that this was difficult, considering that most of the pitchers on the pennant-winning team from the year before were returning.[2] At 26, Heath was on a Major League Baseball (MLB) roster for the first time.[2]
Heath made his major league debut on May 4, 1920, relieving
The next two appearances for Heath came on back to back days, May 28 and 29, in a series against the
Heath's appearance on May 29 was the first game of a
Nearly two months went by before Heath made another appearance on July 17. The White Sox were down 8–2 to the
The July 17 contest would be the last of Heath's MLB career, as he was released by the team shortly thereafter.
Later years
Heath returned to playing semipro ball after his time with the White Sox. Then, he was hired by the Chicago Police Department. In 1930, an ill Heath was admitted to Edgewater Hospital in Chicago. On January 25, he died of double lobar pneumonia and influenza, which had been made worse by a cerebral hemorrhage. Unmarried at the time of his death, he was buried adjacent to his father at Chicago's St. Boniface Cemetery on January 29.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Spencer Heath Stats". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4422-3639-4.
- ^ "Spencer Heath Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ "1919 Western Canada League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Spencer Heath 1920 Pitching Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ "Chicago White Sox at St. Louis Browns Box Score, May 4, 1920". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ "Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Indians Box Score, May 28, 1920". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ "Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Indians Box Score, May 29, 1920". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ "Chicago White Sox at New York Yankees Box Score, July 17, 1920". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference
- Retrosheet