Sam McMackin
Encyclopedia
Samuel McMackin was an American
professional baseball
pitcher
in Major League Baseball
. He appeared in two games in the majors in 1902, one for the Chicago White Sox
on September 4, and the other for the Detroit Tigers
on September 21. He also played in the minor leagues for six seasons.
, and in 1895, he pitched in the Texas-Southern League.
McMackin had his big season in 1896. Playing for the Atlantic League's Paterson Silk Weavers, he went 25-16 with a 2.83 earned run average
in 384.1 innings pitched
. Despite being suspended for several games for pitching while drunk, he was the ace of the Paterson pitching staff, leading the team in wins and innings. One of his teammates that year was future Hall of Famer Honus Wagner
. After the season, the Sporting Life wrote that: "No two men [McMackin and Jack Kellackey] worked harder for the success of the local team during the past season than did these two, and the people here appreciate it. McMackin has been made night timekeeper in one of the large iron factories here, and has already started in."
However, McMackin struggled in 1897. He pitched for three teams in the Atlantic League and went a combined 7-23. In 1898, he went 8-9; in 1899, his record was 13-13. McMackin bounced around various minor leagues for the next few seasons. In 1902, he started off the season 5-1 for the American Association
's Columbus Senators. However, in early June, he was suspended for "failing to keep in proper condition." He was released from the Senators because of his drinking habits and for "attempting to disorganize the team," and he then signed with the Milwaukee Brewers
later that month. In his first start for Milwaukee, McMackin was "hooted unmercifully by the 4,000 spectators, who, by their jeering, drove him to the bench."
McMackin went just 5-8 on the mound for the Brewers, but he was acquired by the American League
's Chicago White Sox and made his major league debut on September 4. He pitched three innings without allowing an earned run. McMackin then joined the Detroit Tigers and appeared in his second, and final, major league game on September 21. He pitched a complete game
but took a loss.
Over the winter, McMackin became ill with pneumonia
and died on February 11, 1903. He was buried in Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
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...
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...
. He appeared in two games in the majors in 1902, one for the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
on September 4, and the other for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit 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...
on September 21. He also played in the minor leagues for six seasons.
Career
McMackin was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He started his professional baseball career in 1893 with the Sandusky Sandies of the Ohio-Michigan League. In 1894, he pitched in the Western AssociationWestern Association
The Western Association was the name of five different leagues in American minor league baseball during the 19th and 20th centuries.The oldest league, originally established as the Northwestern League in 1883, was refounded as the Western Association on October 28, 1887...
, and in 1895, he pitched in the Texas-Southern League.
McMackin had his big season in 1896. Playing for the Atlantic League's Paterson Silk Weavers, he went 25-16 with a 2.83 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...
in 384.1 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...
. Despite being suspended for several games for pitching while drunk, he was the ace of the Paterson pitching staff, leading the team in wins and innings. One of his teammates that year was future Hall of Famer Honus Wagner
Honus Wagner
-Louisville Colonels:Recognizing his talent, Barrow recommended Wagner to the Louisville Colonels. After some hesitation about his awkward figure, Wagner was signed by the Colonels, where he hit .338 in 61 games....
. After the season, the Sporting Life wrote that: "No two men [McMackin and Jack Kellackey] worked harder for the success of the local team during the past season than did these two, and the people here appreciate it. McMackin has been made night timekeeper in one of the large iron factories here, and has already started in."
However, McMackin struggled in 1897. He pitched for three teams in the Atlantic League and went a combined 7-23. In 1898, he went 8-9; in 1899, his record was 13-13. McMackin bounced around various minor leagues for the next few seasons. In 1902, he started off the season 5-1 for 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...
's Columbus Senators. However, in early June, he was suspended for "failing to keep in proper condition." He was released from the Senators because of his drinking habits and for "attempting to disorganize the team," and he then signed with 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:...
later that month. In his first start for Milwaukee, McMackin was "hooted unmercifully by the 4,000 spectators, who, by their jeering, drove him to the bench."
McMackin went just 5-8 on the mound for the Brewers, but he was acquired by the 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...
's Chicago White Sox and made his major league debut on September 4. He pitched three innings without allowing an earned run. McMackin then joined the Detroit Tigers and appeared in his second, and final, major league game on September 21. He pitched a complete game
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...
but took a loss.
Over the winter, McMackin became ill with pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
and died on February 11, 1903. He was buried in Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland.