Duke Brett
Encyclopedia
Herbert James "Duke" Brett (May 23, 1900 – November 25, 1974) was a professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher
over parts of two seasons (1924–25) with the Chicago Cubs
. For his career, he compiled a 1-1 record, with a 3.97 earned run average
, and 7 strikeout
s in 22.2 innings pitched.
Brett signed with the Cubs as an amateur free agent
in 1924. He made his major league debut as the Cubs' starting pitcher on August 8, 1924 in a 10-7 win over the Boston Braves
. Brett did not figure in the decision. It was his only appearance in his rookie year.
In 1925, Brett appeared in ten games for the Cubs, starting just one. His final appearance of the season was August 5, in a 7-6 win over the Philadelphia Phillies
. On that day, Brett also picked up his one and only major league win. For the season, Brett posted a 3.63 ERA and a record of 1-1.
Brett went on to a long career as a minor league manager, serving as skipper for the Danville Leafs
, Rocky Mount Red Sox, Little Rock Travelers
, Wilmington Blue Rocks
, Wellsville Yankees, Hagerstown Owls, Reidsville Luckies, Raleigh Capitals, Wichita Indians, and Winston-Salem Twins over a twenty-year career from 1934 to 1954.
He was born in Lawrenceville, Virginia
and later died in St. Petersburg, Florida
at the age of 74.
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...
over parts of two seasons (1924–25) with the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. For his career, he compiled a 1-1 record, with a 3.97 earned run average
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...
, and 7 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s in 22.2 innings pitched.
Brett signed with the Cubs as an amateur free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
in 1924. He made his major league debut as the Cubs' starting pitcher on August 8, 1924 in a 10-7 win over the Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. Brett did not figure in the decision. It was his only appearance in his rookie year.
In 1925, Brett appeared in ten games for the Cubs, starting just one. His final appearance of the season was August 5, in a 7-6 win over the 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...
. On that day, Brett also picked up his one and only major league win. For the season, Brett posted a 3.63 ERA and a record of 1-1.
Brett went on to a long career as a minor league manager, serving as skipper for the Danville Leafs
Danville Leafs
The Danville Leafs were a professional minor league baseball team that played in the city of Danville, Virginia.Professional baseball first made its appearance in Danville in 1905 when the town fielded a team, the Tobacconists, in the short-lived Virginia-North Carolina League...
, Rocky Mount Red Sox, Little Rock Travelers
Little Rock Travelers
The Little Rock Travelers were an American minor league baseball team located in Little Rock, Arkansas and members of the Southern Association, which as a Class A, A1 or AA circuit was typically two rungs below Major League Baseball...
, Wilmington Blue Rocks
Wilmington Blue Rocks
The Wilmington Blue Rocks are a Minor League Baseball team located in Wilmington, Delaware. The Blue Rocks play in the Northern Division of the Carolina League.-Franchise history:...
, Wellsville Yankees, Hagerstown Owls, Reidsville Luckies, Raleigh Capitals, Wichita Indians, and Winston-Salem Twins over a twenty-year career from 1934 to 1954.
He was born in Lawrenceville, Virginia
Lawrenceville, Virginia
Lawrenceville is a town in Brunswick County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,275 at the 2000 census. Located by the Meherrin River, it is the county seat of Brunswick County and home to historically black Saint Paul's College, founded in 1888 and affiliated with the Episcopal Church...
and later died in St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
at the age of 74.