Harry Lochhead
Encyclopedia
Robert Henry "Harry" Lochhead (March 29, 1876 - August 22, 1909) was a Major League Baseball shortstop
in 1899 and 1901. Lochhead was born and died in Stockton, California
.
, widely regarded as the worst baseball team in history. The 1899 Spiders had a 20-134 record (.130 winning percentage), scoring 529 runs and allowing 1,252. Lochhead has the dubious distinction of sometimes being referred to as the worst player on the worst team in history. His .238 batting average was 43 points lower than the league average .281 and among the lowest among all starters in the National League in 1899. His 81 errors was by far the highest on the Spiders, though his .909 fielding percentage was on par with other National League shortstops that year.
, then a minor league team in the Western League
, purchased Lochhead from the St. Louis Cardinals
. In an article published on January 13, 1900, Lochhead received praise in The Sporting News: "In the past few years the patrons of Recreation Park have much admired the quick, snappy, aggressive playing of [Harry] Lockhead (sic) at "short." The big fellow from Stockton, who so closely resembles Bill Lange
, has certainly acquired a showy dash and finish as a result of this season's association with the stars of the major league." (The Sporting News, January 13, 1900)
After the Tigers became a major league team in 1901, Lochhead played only one more game for the team. In 4 at bats, Lochhead had 2 hits, was hit by a pitch, and scored 2 runs for the Tigers, for a .500 batting average and .600 on base percentage. Nevertheless, the Tigers sold Lochhead to the Philadelphia Athletics on April 29, 1901. Lochhead batted .088 in 9 games for the Athletics. He played his last major league game on May 15, 1901.
, reportedly from a long-lasting liver complaint, a month after suffering overexposure when he was lost in the desert near Bakersfield, California
.
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
in 1899 and 1901. Lochhead was born and died in Stockton, California
Stockton, California
Stockton, California, the seat of San Joaquin County, is the fourth-largest city in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. With a population of 291,707 at the 2010 census, Stockton ranks as this state's 13th largest city...
.
Cleveland Spiders (1899)
As a rookie, Lochhead was the starting shortstop for the 1899 Cleveland SpidersCleveland Spiders
The Cleveland Spiders were a Major League Baseball team which played between 1887 and 1899 in Cleveland, Ohio. The team played at National League Park from 1889 to 1890 and at League Park from 1891 to 1899.- 1887-1891 :...
, widely regarded as the worst baseball team in history. The 1899 Spiders had a 20-134 record (.130 winning percentage), scoring 529 runs and allowing 1,252. Lochhead has the dubious distinction of sometimes being referred to as the worst player on the worst team in history. His .238 batting average was 43 points lower than the league average .281 and among the lowest among all starters in the National League in 1899. His 81 errors was by far the highest on the Spiders, though his .909 fielding percentage was on par with other National League shortstops that year.
Detroit Tigers (1900-1901)
In April 1900, the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, then a minor league team in the Western League
Western League (defunct minor league)
The Western League is a name given to several circuits in American minor league baseball. Its earliest progenitor, which existed from 1885 to 1899, was the predecessor of the American League...
, purchased Lochhead from the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. In an article published on January 13, 1900, Lochhead received praise in The Sporting News: "In the past few years the patrons of Recreation Park have much admired the quick, snappy, aggressive playing of [Harry] Lockhead (sic) at "short." The big fellow from Stockton, who so closely resembles Bill Lange
Bill Lange
William Alexander "Bill" Lange , also known as "Little Eva", was an American Major League Baseball center fielder, who played his entire seven year career for the Chicago Colts and Orphans from to...
, has certainly acquired a showy dash and finish as a result of this season's association with the stars of the major league." (The Sporting News, January 13, 1900)
After the Tigers became a major league team in 1901, Lochhead played only one more game for the team. In 4 at bats, Lochhead had 2 hits, was hit by a pitch, and scored 2 runs for the Tigers, for a .500 batting average and .600 on base percentage. Nevertheless, the Tigers sold Lochhead to the Philadelphia Athletics on April 29, 1901. Lochhead batted .088 in 9 games for the Athletics. He played his last major league game on May 15, 1901.
Death at 33 after being lost in the desert
Lochhead died at age 33 at his mother's home in Stockton, CaliforniaStockton, California
Stockton, California, the seat of San Joaquin County, is the fourth-largest city in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. With a population of 291,707 at the 2010 census, Stockton ranks as this state's 13th largest city...
, reportedly from a long-lasting liver complaint, a month after suffering overexposure when he was lost in the desert near Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield is a city near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County, California. It is roughly equidistant between Fresno and Los Angeles, to the north and south respectively....
.