Mike Donlin
Encyclopedia
Michael Joseph Donlin was an American
outfielder
in Major League Baseball
who played for the St. Louis Perfectos/Cardinals
(1899–1900), Baltimore Orioles
(1901), Cincinnati Reds
(1902–1904), New York Giants
(1904–1908, 1911, 1914), Boston Rustlers
(1911), and Pittsburgh Pirates
(1912). Donlin was a flamboyant playboy, a sharp dresser and a notorious drinker. With his dashing looks and one who wasn't opposed to finding trouble, he was equally popular with women and men and was one of the most popular players in baseball for a short time at the peak of his career. He was also one of the finest hitters of the dead-ball era
.
Born in Peoria, Illinois
, Donlin's family soon moved to Erie, Pennsylvania
where he lost both parents in a bridge collapse when he was a young boy. He later made his way out to California
and was playing for the Santa Cruz Sandcrabs in 1899
when he was acquired by the St. Louis Perfectos
. Despite not joining the team until mid-July, he finished 10th in the National League
in home runs and batted .323. The following season he hit .326 and finished 3rd in home runs with 10 while only playing in about half of St. Louis' games. On a team full of good hitters, Donlin found it difficult to get regular playing time because of his poor defense and decided to jump to the Baltimore Orioles
of the new American League
in to play for his former teammate in St. Louis, John McGraw
.
"Turkey Mike", nicknamed because of his gait while walking, found the new team and league to his liking, hitting .340 which was good for 2nd in the league and appeared to be headed for greatness. But in March of , he was sentenced to six months in prison for his actions during a drinking binge and was promptly released by the Orioles. After serving his time, Donlin was picked up by the Cincinnati Reds
and hit .287 for them in the last month of the season. He seemed to have found a home back in his native midwest as he exploded in , finishing 3rd in the league in hitting at .351 and placed in the top 5 in the National League in virtually every offensive category.
found Donlin once again destroying the league offensively, hitting .356 when he had another drunken episode in St. Louis
. The Reds first suspended him for 30 days and then traded him to New York
, where he was once again reunited with John McGraw who was now managing the Giants
. Donlin finished out the '04 season hitting a respectable .280 after the trade and helping the Giants to win the National League pennant. His combined batting average for 1904 ended up at .329, good enough for 2nd in the league for the second time in the career of the 26 year old.
Donlin followed up with the best season of his career in . Playing a full season for the first time, his electrifying bat more than made up for his continued defensive shortcomings. Donlin hit .356, good for third in the National League, and led the league in runs scored as well as finishing in the top 5 in several other batting categories. He led the Giants to the World Series
where he hit .263 and scored 4 runs in 5 games as the Giants defeated the Philadelphia Athletics for their first World Series Championship
.
On April 11, 1906, Donlin was married to Mabel Hite, a vaudeville
and Broadway
actress. Donlin appeared to have finally settled down and ready to reach the stardom destined for him. Tragedy struck early in the season, however, as he broke his ankle sliding into second base and was lost for the remainder of the season. Cocky and brash as ever, Donlin demanded his same salary for the 1907 season as well as a $600 bonus incentive for staying sober throughout the year. When Giant owner John T. Brush
refused, Donlin retired and sat out the entire season. Donlin spent the time traveling with his wife and became interested in the theater and the high-society lifestyle that came with it.
Donlin returned to the Giants for the season without showing any effects from a year-long layoff as he hit .334 and finished 2nd in the league in hitting for the 3rd time in his career. In his first home game back, he hit a game-winning 2-run home run in the bottom of the 9th inning. He was also near the league leaders in virtually every other offensive category and turned in an adequate job defensively for the first time.
On October 26, 1908, Donlin made his stage debut in Stealing Home, a one-act play written by Donlin and Hite. Although the reviews for Donlin were mixed, critics raved over his wife's performance and the show became a smash hit. Claiming he made more money from his play, Donlin left baseball and vowed never to return.
After 3 successful years, the play's popularity diminished and with Hite not able to land any successful roles, Donlin did return to the game in to his old team and manager, John McGraw. Donlin's talents had declined and was no longer worth the problems he created and was sold to the Boston Rustlers
, having only played 12 games for his former New York team. Boston immediately inserted him into their starting line-up and Donlin responded to hit .315 for them.
Unwilling to negotiate with a hard-bargaining poor defensive outfielder on a poor team, Boston traded him to Pittsburgh, where he played the season as a reserve for the Pirates
, batting .316. In the fall of 1912, Hite was diagnosed with cancer and died in October. In December Pittsburgh placed Donlin on waivers and he was claimed by the Philadelphia Phillies
. Donlin refused to go and retired, once again, from baseball.
He had a change of heart and attempted a comeback late in 1913 with a minor league team in New Jersey
and convinced his old friend, John McGraw, to select him to a traveling team that played overseas in the winter of 1913. Encouraged by his hitting, McGraw gave Donlin a roster spot on the Giants but the magic in his bat was gone. Hitting only .161 in 35 games, Donlin called it quits, this time for good. In October 1914 Donlin married actress Rita Ross, known for her part in the musical comedy team, Ross & Fenton.
"Turkey Mike" made the career change once again from baseball to acting
, gradually switching from stage to screen. He had more success on the baseball field than in the entertainment industry, although he did appear in a number of movies in small roles, including the silent
classic The General
(1926). He was also retained as an advisor on a number of baseball movies. One of Donlin's great friends and drinking buddies was renowned actor John Barrymore
. Donlin appeared in at least two of the actor's silent pictures, Raffles the Amateur Cracksman (1917) and The Sea Beast
(1926).
Mike Donlin died of a heart attack
at age 55 in Hollywood, California
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
in Major League Baseball
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...
who played for the St. Louis Perfectos/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...
(1899–1900), Baltimore Orioles
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
(1901), Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(1902–1904), New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
(1904–1908, 1911, 1914), Boston Rustlers
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....
(1911), and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
(1912). Donlin was a flamboyant playboy, a sharp dresser and a notorious drinker. With his dashing looks and one who wasn't opposed to finding trouble, he was equally popular with women and men and was one of the most popular players in baseball for a short time at the peak of his career. He was also one of the finest hitters of the dead-ball era
Dead-ball era
The dead-ball era is a baseball term used to describe the period between 1900 and the emergence of Babe Ruth as a power hitter in 1919. In 1919, Ruth hit a then league record 29 home runs, a spectacular feat at that time.This era was characterized by low-scoring games and a lack of home runs...
.
Born in Peoria, Illinois
Peoria, Illinois
Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...
, Donlin's family soon moved to Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
where he lost both parents in a bridge collapse when he was a young boy. He later made his way out to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and was playing for the Santa Cruz Sandcrabs in 1899
1899 in baseball
-National League final standings:-Events:*May 15 - Willie Keeler, known as one of the smallest players and best bunters in baseball, drives the ball past startled left fielder Ed Delahanty of the Philadelphia Phillies for an inside-the-park grand slam and an 8–5 victory for the Brooklyn...
when he was acquired by the St. Louis Perfectos
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...
. Despite not joining the team until mid-July, he finished 10th in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
in home runs and batted .323. The following season he hit .326 and finished 3rd in home runs with 10 while only playing in about half of St. Louis' games. On a team full of good hitters, Donlin found it difficult to get regular playing time because of his poor defense and decided to jump to the Baltimore Orioles
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
of the new American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
in to play for his former teammate in St. Louis, John McGraw
John McGraw
John McGraw may refer to:* John McGraw , , New York lumber tycoon, and one of the founding trustees of Cornell University* John McGraw , , Governor of Washington state from 1893–1897...
.
"Turkey Mike", nicknamed because of his gait while walking, found the new team and league to his liking, hitting .340 which was good for 2nd in the league and appeared to be headed for greatness. But in March of , he was sentenced to six months in prison for his actions during a drinking binge and was promptly released by the Orioles. After serving his time, Donlin was picked up by the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
and hit .287 for them in the last month of the season. He seemed to have found a home back in his native midwest as he exploded in , finishing 3rd in the league in hitting at .351 and placed in the top 5 in the National League in virtually every offensive category.
found Donlin once again destroying the league offensively, hitting .356 when he had another drunken episode in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. The Reds first suspended him for 30 days and then traded him to New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where he was once again reunited with John McGraw who was now managing the Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. Donlin finished out the '04 season hitting a respectable .280 after the trade and helping the Giants to win the National League pennant. His combined batting average for 1904 ended up at .329, good enough for 2nd in the league for the second time in the career of the 26 year old.
Donlin followed up with the best season of his career in . Playing a full season for the first time, his electrifying bat more than made up for his continued defensive shortcomings. Donlin hit .356, good for third in the National League, and led the league in runs scored as well as finishing in the top 5 in several other batting categories. He led the Giants to the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
where he hit .263 and scored 4 runs in 5 games as the Giants defeated the Philadelphia Athletics for their first World Series Championship
1905 World Series
- Game 1 :Monday, October 9, 1905 at Columbia Park in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaA pitchers' duel took place between Christy Mathewson and Eddie Plank. Both pitchers got out of jams and were able to shut the offense down. In the Giants top of the fifth, Mathewson singled, but was forced by Roger...
.
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
and Broadway
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
actress. Donlin appeared to have finally settled down and ready to reach the stardom destined for him. Tragedy struck early in the season, however, as he broke his ankle sliding into second base and was lost for the remainder of the season. Cocky and brash as ever, Donlin demanded his same salary for the 1907 season as well as a $600 bonus incentive for staying sober throughout the year. When Giant owner John T. Brush
John T. Brush
John Tomlinson Brush was an American sports executive who was the owner of the New York Giants franchise in Major League Baseball from 1890 until his death. He also owned the Indianapolis Hoosiers in the late 1880s, and the Cincinnati Reds from 1891 to 1902. Under his leadership, the Giants were...
refused, Donlin retired and sat out the entire season. Donlin spent the time traveling with his wife and became interested in the theater and the high-society lifestyle that came with it.
Donlin returned to the Giants for the season without showing any effects from a year-long layoff as he hit .334 and finished 2nd in the league in hitting for the 3rd time in his career. In his first home game back, he hit a game-winning 2-run home run in the bottom of the 9th inning. He was also near the league leaders in virtually every other offensive category and turned in an adequate job defensively for the first time.
On October 26, 1908, Donlin made his stage debut in Stealing Home, a one-act play written by Donlin and Hite. Although the reviews for Donlin were mixed, critics raved over his wife's performance and the show became a smash hit. Claiming he made more money from his play, Donlin left baseball and vowed never to return.
After 3 successful years, the play's popularity diminished and with Hite not able to land any successful roles, Donlin did return to the game in to his old team and manager, John McGraw. Donlin's talents had declined and was no longer worth the problems he created and was sold to the Boston Rustlers
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....
, having only played 12 games for his former New York team. Boston immediately inserted him into their starting line-up and Donlin responded to hit .315 for them.
Unwilling to negotiate with a hard-bargaining poor defensive outfielder on a poor team, Boston traded him to Pittsburgh, where he played the season as a reserve for the Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, batting .316. In the fall of 1912, Hite was diagnosed with cancer and died in October. In December Pittsburgh placed Donlin on waivers and he was claimed by 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...
. Donlin refused to go and retired, once again, from baseball.
He had a change of heart and attempted a comeback late in 1913 with a minor league team in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
and convinced his old friend, John McGraw, to select him to a traveling team that played overseas in the winter of 1913. Encouraged by his hitting, McGraw gave Donlin a roster spot on the Giants but the magic in his bat was gone. Hitting only .161 in 35 games, Donlin called it quits, this time for good. In October 1914 Donlin married actress Rita Ross, known for her part in the musical comedy team, Ross & Fenton.
"Turkey Mike" made the career change once again from baseball to acting
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, gradually switching from stage to screen. He had more success on the baseball field than in the entertainment industry, although he did appear in a number of movies in small roles, including the silent
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
classic The General
The General (1927 film)
The General is a 1926 American silent comedy film released by United Artists inspired by the Great Locomotive Chase, which happened in 1862. Buster Keaton starred in the film and co-directed it with Clyde Bruckman...
(1926). He was also retained as an advisor on a number of baseball movies. One of Donlin's great friends and drinking buddies was renowned actor John Barrymore
John Barrymore
John Sidney Blyth , better known as John Barrymore, was an acclaimed American actor. He first gained fame as a handsome stage actor in light comedy, then high drama and culminating in groundbreaking portrayals in Shakespearean plays Hamlet and Richard III...
. Donlin appeared in at least two of the actor's silent pictures, Raffles the Amateur Cracksman (1917) and The Sea Beast
The Sea Beast
The Sea Beast is a silent film adaptation of the novel Moby Dick by Herman Melville, a story about a monomaniacal hunt for a great white whale...
(1926).
Mike Donlin died of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
at age 55 in Hollywood, California
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
Hollywood is a famous district in Los Angeles, California, United States situated west-northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Due to its fame and cultural identity as the historical center of movie studios and movie stars, the word Hollywood is often used as a metonym of American cinema...
.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball runs scored champions
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases
External links
- SABR Mike Donlin biography
- BaseballLibrary.com - biography and career highlights
- Bio at TheDeadBallEra.com