Tacks Neuer
Tacks Neuer | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: Fremont, Ohio | June 8, 1877|
Died: January 14, 1966 Northumberland, Pennsylvania | (aged 88)|
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
MLB debut | |
August 28, 1907, for the New York Highlanders | |
Last MLB appearance | |
October 3, 1907, for the New York Highlanders | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 4–2 |
Earned run average | 2.17 |
Strikeouts | 22 |
Teams | |
|
John Stein "Tacks" Neuer (June 8, 1877 – January 14, 1966) was a
A veteran of the
Early life and career
Neuer was born in Fremont, Ohio, and was one of eight children born to Henry Neuer and Jennie Catherman. He and his family moved to Sunbury, Pennsylvania, when he was a child. In 1898, Neuer enlisted in the Spanish–American War as a private, and was discharged the following year. After his discharge, he worked as a brakeman for a local railroad for the next few years.[1] In late 1904, the Detroit Tigers intended to sign Neuer to a contract.[2] However, nothing came of it and he never played a game with the organization.
Six months after the rumored signing, Neuer was signed by the
In December 1906, the
New York Highlanders
Neuer made his debut for New York on August 28, 1907, against the
On September 21, Neuer made an appearance as a relief pitcher in a game against the Detroit Tigers, taking over for Bill Hogg due to the latter's ineffectiveness.[7] His next appearance as a starter was against the St. Louis Browns. He was unable to control the baseball due to rain; the 5–2 game was called after six innings as a result, giving Neuer his second loss.[1] His final appearance of the season was on October 3 against the Chicago White Sox. In that game, he allowed three hits in an 8–0 victory for his third and final shutout of the season.[8] Neuer spent the offseason working as a hotel clerk, and after signing a contract for the 1908 season, he joined the team for spring training.[1]
Griffith continued to have faith in Neuer during the exhibition season, and said he could potentially be "one of the greatest ever in the twirling line."[1] Instead of working on his control during that time, which was considered the main thing he needed to work on, he practiced throwing the knuckleball and spitball. Griffith encouraged him to do so, believing that developing these trick pitches would allow him to become a great pitcher, and as a result, he practiced these pitches until, according to one sportswriter, "he was so wild he couldn’t hit the grand stand."[1] In one exhibition game against Atlanta, he appeared in relief of Jack Chesbro, and allowed four runs in less than an inning due to his lack of control.[9] His pitching continued to get worse, and by the end of spring training he was sent to the Newark Indians of the Eastern League. He never returned to the major leagues, becoming the only person to throw a shutout in both his major league debut and his final game.[1]
Later life
In Neuer's debut for Newark, he allowed nine
The
After retiring from baseball, Neuer became an umpire for local semi-pro and amateur baseball games, and worked for Bendix Aviation Corporation in Greene, New York until retiring in 1942. As an umpire, he was known for his entertaining style, adding extra emphasis on his calls to amuse game attendees. Neuer was married twice and had one son, Eugene, from his first marriage. He moved to Northumberland, Pennsylvania in the 1940s, where he lived until his death in 1966.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Morris, Peter. "Tacks Neuer". The Baseball Biography Project. Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ^ "American League Notes" (PDF). Sporting Life. 44 (15): 3. December 24, 1904.
- ^ "News Notes" (PDF). Sporting Life. 47 (3): 3. March 31, 1906.
- ^ Ritcher, F. C. (December 22, 1906). "New Players for the Phillies" (PDF). Sporting Life. 48 (15): 5.
- ^ "Local Jettings" (PDF). Sporting Life. 50 (19): 5. December 22, 1908.
- ^ "American League; Boston Wins The First Game, Then Loses to Yankees" (PDF). The New York Times. September 4, 1907. p. 5.
- ^ "Chesbro Downed Tigers" (PDF). Sporting Life. 50 (3): 3. September 28, 1907.
- ^ "Yankees Win Series; Last Game with Chicago an Overwhelming Shut-Out Contest" (PDF). The New York Times. October 4, 1907. p. 14.
- ^ "Yankees Drop First Game To Atlanta" (PDF). The New York Times. March 13, 1908. p. 8.
- ^ "Eastern League; Neuer's Poor Pitching Responsible for Newark's Defeat by Montreal" (PDF). The New York Times. April 17, 1908. p. 5.
- ^ "Neuer Released" (PDF). Sporting Life. 51 (14): 19. June 13, 1908.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)