Al Thake

Al Thake
Left fielder
Born: (1849-09-21)September 21, 1849 Wymondham, England
Died: September 1, 1872(1872-09-01) (aged 22) Fort Hamilton, New York
Batted: Unknown Threw: Unknown
MLB debut
June 13, 1872, for the Brooklyn Atlantics
Last MLB appearance
August 28, 1872, for the Brooklyn Atlantics
MLB statistics
Batting average	.295
Home runs	0
Runs batted in	15
Runs scored	14
Teams
Brooklyn Atlantics (1872)

Albert Thake (September 21, 1849 – September 1, 1872) was an English professional baseball left fielder for the Brooklyn Atlantics of the National Association. Joining the team in 1872, he played 18 games for them, batting .295 with 14 runs scored, 23 hits, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 0 home runs, 15 runs batted in (RBI), and 2 stolen bases. Thake died on September 1, 1872, when he drowned off the coast of Fort Hamilton while fishing.

Early life

Albert Thake was born on September 21, 1849, in Wymondham, England. His family moved to Brooklyn, New York, during his youth. Becoming interested in baseball, Thake played for well-known local amateur teams such as the Star Club and the Athletics.

Professional career

The National Association became the first professional baseball league in 1871, and Thake a left fielder for its Brooklyn Atlantics in 1872. He made his debut on June 13, recording a hit in five at bats as the Atlantics were defeated 17–7 by the Baltimore Canaries. On July 29, he had a career-high four runs batted in (RBI), though the effort came in a 17–12 loss to the Boston Red Stockings. He had three RBI on August 6 in a 15–8 victory over the Middletown Mansfields. Thake's only appearance at a position other than left field came on August 22, when he played second base during part of a 15–4 loss to the New York Mutuals. In his last game of the season, on August 28, he had a hit, a run scored, and an RBI in a 26–12 loss to the Philadelphia Athletics.

Death

Bob Ferguson served as Thake's manager during his time with the Atlantics, and he helped arrange a benefit game to raise money for Thake's mother after Thake's death.

On September 1, 1872, Thake and a friend went fishing at Fort Hamilton, near where the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is now located. They had just caught a fish when a wave forced Thake into the water. The New York Post reported that he was caught in fishing nets, while The New York Times stated that the current swept him away. Whatever the case, he drowned, and his body was later discovered on the banks of Bass Creek in Raritan Bay. He was just 22.

The Atlantics postponed their game against the Brooklyn Eckfords on September 2, and both teams flew flags at half mast at their baseball fields. On September 10, Thake's funeral was held at his mother's home, following which he was buried at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. Thake's teammate and manager Bob Ferguson arranged a benefit game on October 23 to help raise money to cover Mrs. Thake's expenses. Former members of the Brooklyn Atlantics and members of the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings played against each other in the game. Notable participants included future Hall of Fame members Albert Spalding, George Wright, and Harry Wright. Weather was poor the day of the game, causing the proceeds to total about $300.

Career statistics and reputation

In 18 games (78 at bats), Thake batted .295 with 14 runs scored, 23 hits, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 0 home runs, 15 RBI, and 2 stolen bases. In The Cooperstown Chronicles (2014), Frank Russo writes, "His .295 lifetime batting average suggests that he might have had a promising career ahead of him." Thake was well-liked by his contemporaries, both those he played baseball with and those he knew from his personal life. They thought he had exemplary character.

See also

• List of baseball players who died during their careers

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference
• Al Thake's Obituaries Archived 2012-11-03 at the Wayback Machine