Frank Oberlin
Encyclopedia
Frank Rufus "Flossie" Oberlin (March 29, 1876 – January 6, 1952) was a Major League Baseball
pitcher
for the Boston Americans
and Washington Senators
.
, Michigan
. Oberlin did not play professionally until age 26, when he joined the minor league
Lansing Senators of the Michigan State League
in . In , while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers
of the American Association
, he was acquired by the Americans, and made his major league debut for them in September.
Oberlin pitched four games for the Americans that year, going 1-3, striking out 13 batters and having an ERA
of just 3.18. Oberlin pitched 12 games with the Americans the next year
before his contract was sold to the Washington Senators
in August. He pitched 11 more games with the Senators, finishing his 1907 season with a total record of 3-11.
Oberlin spent with the minor league Minneapolis Millers
. He returned to the Senators for the 1909
and 1910 seasons
. He was back in the minor leagues in with the Utica Utes of the New York State League
, for whom he played until . He finished the 1916 season with the NYSL's Scranton Miners
before retiring at age 40.
On January 6, 1952, Oberlin died at age 75 in Ashley, Indiana
. He was buried in Hamilton, Indiana
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
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...
for the Boston Americans
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
.
Biography
Oberlin was born on March 29, 1876, in ElsieElsie, Michigan
Elsie is a village in Clinton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,055 at the 2000 census.The village consists of two noncontiguous portions within Duplain Township in the northeast portion of Clinton County.-Geography:...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. Oberlin did not play professionally until age 26, when he joined the minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
Lansing Senators of the Michigan State League
Michigan State League
Michigan State League was the name of six American professional baseball leagues. Five of them operated only one or two baseball seasons and the other four seasons...
in . In , while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers (minor league baseball team)
The Milwaukee Brewers were a Minor League Baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They played in the American Association from 1902 through 1952.-A Milwaukee Tradition:...
of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
, he was acquired by the Americans, and made his major league debut for them in September.
Oberlin pitched four games for the Americans that year, going 1-3, striking out 13 batters and having an ERA
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...
of just 3.18. Oberlin pitched 12 games with the Americans the next year
1907 Boston Americans season
The Boston Americans season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Americans finishing 7th in the American League with a record of 59 wins and 90 losses.- Regular season :- Opening Day lineup :- Roster :- Starters by position :...
before his contract was sold to the Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
in August. He pitched 11 more games with the Senators, finishing his 1907 season with a total record of 3-11.
Oberlin spent with the minor league Minneapolis Millers
Minneapolis Millers
The Minneapolis Millers were an American professional minor league baseball team that played in Minneapolis, Minnesota, until 1960. In the 19th century a different Minneapolis Millers were part of the Western League.The team played first in Athletic Park and later Nicollet Park.The name Minneapolis...
. He returned to the Senators for the 1909
1909 Washington Senators season
The 1909 Washington Senators, a professional baseball team, won 42 games, lost 110, and finished in eighth place in the American League. They were managed by Joe Cantillon and played home games at National Park.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
and 1910 seasons
1910 Washington Senators season
The 1910 Washington Senators won 66 games, lost 85, and finished in seventh place in the American League. They were managed by Jimmy McAleer and played home games at National Park.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
. He was back in the minor leagues in with the Utica Utes of the New York State League
New York State League
This article refers to the modern New York State League. For the original incarnations of the New York State League see New York State League ...
, for whom he played until . He finished the 1916 season with the NYSL's Scranton Miners
Scranton Miners
The Scranton Miners were an Eastern Professional Basketball League basketball team based in Scranton, Pennsylvania that was a member of the American Basketball League. Arthur Pachter was the Owner and coach for many years...
before retiring at age 40.
On January 6, 1952, Oberlin died at age 75 in Ashley, Indiana
Ashley, Indiana
Ashley is a town in Indiana located on the border of Smithfield Township, DeKalb County and Steuben Township, Steuben County. The population was 983 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Ashley is located at ....
. He was buried in Hamilton, Indiana
Hamilton, Indiana
Hamilton is a town located on the border of Steuben County, Indiana and DeKalb County, Indiana. In Steuben County, it is in Otsego Township, and in DeKalb County it is in Franklin Township. The population was 1,532 at the 2010 census.- History :...
.