Mother Watson
Encyclopedia
Walter L. "Mother" Watson (January 27, 1865 – November 23, 1898) was an American
professional baseball player in the mid-1880s. Born in Middleport, Ohio
in 1865, he started
two games at pitcher
for the Cincinnati Reds
of the American Association
. He completed
one of his starts, and in 14 innings pitched
, he had a 5.79 ERA
, and was 0–1. In , he played for the Zanesville
Kickapoos of the Tri-State League
. Watson died in his hometown of Middleport of a gunshot wound at the age of 33, and is interred at Middleport Hill Cemetery.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball player in the mid-1880s. Born in Middleport, Ohio
Middleport, Ohio
Middleport is a village in Meigs County, Ohio, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 2,525 at the 2000 census.Middleport was the home of Walter "Mother" Watson, a Major League Baseball pitcher.-Geography:...
in 1865, he started
Games started
In baseball statistics, games started indicates the number of games that a pitcher has started for his team. A pitcher is credited with starting the game if he faces the first opposing batter...
two games at 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 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....
of the American Association
American Association (19th century)
The American Association was a Major League Baseball league that existed for 10 seasons from to . During that time, it challenged the National League for dominance of professional baseball...
. He completed
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
one of his starts, and in 14 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
, he had a 5.79 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...
, and was 0–1. In , he played for the Zanesville
Zanesville, Ohio
Zanesville is a city in and the county seat of Muskingum County, Ohio, United States. The population was 25,586 at the 2000 census.Zanesville was named after Ebenezer Zane, who had constructed Zane's Trace, a pioneer road through present-day Ohio...
Kickapoos of the Tri-State League
Tri-State League
The Tri-State League was the name of five different circuits in American minor league baseball.-History:The first league of that name played for four years and consisted of teams in Ohio, Michigan and West Virginia....
. Watson died in his hometown of Middleport of a gunshot wound at the age of 33, and is interred at Middleport Hill Cemetery.