Charles Sylvester "Chick" Stahl (January 10, 1873 – March 28, 1907) was an American outfielder in Major League Baseball who was among the most feared and consistent hitters in his time. In his rookie 1897 season with the Boston Beaneaters, he batted .354, and over his first six seasons, he averaged over .300. In 1899, he had six hits in a game, and in the 1903 World Series, he hit three triples. By 1904, including his time with the Beaneaters and the Boston Americans, Stahl had been a key part of four pennant winning teams in seven seasons.
In 1906, he was named acting manager of the Americans after his friend Jimmy Collins was suspended[1] and decided to focus on his playing, and also due to the club's ownership opting for a change following a poor season by the club. He was officially named player-manager on December 4, 1906. Stahl committed suicide during the 1907 spring training in West Baden, Indiana, by drinking four ounces of carbolic acid. The reasoning behind Stahl's suicide has remained a mystery for over a century. He was known as a carefree, fun-loving man and had many love affairs going on throughout the country. He mentioned suicide days before in Louisville, Ky., prompting some teammates to take the carbolic acid from him. His final words to some of teammates were "Boys, I just couldn't help it. It drove me to it."[2] What "it" exactly was remains a mystery. Cy Young reluctantly took over as manager to start the 1907 season, but he was replaced six games into the season. Stahl's widow mysteriously died one year later.[3]
Chick Stahl was not related to Jake Stahl, despite contemporary baseball sources listing them as brothers.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ “Chick Stahl, Talent and Tragedy”
- ^ ""Chick" Stahl A Suicide; Late Boston Manager Takes Carbolic Acid At West Baden". The New York Times. March 29, 1907. p. 11.
- ^ Bill Ferber (2007) A Game of Baseball: The Orioles, The Beaneaters and The Battle For The 1897 Pennant, University of Nebraska Press, ISBN 9780803211360, pg. 251
[edit] External links
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| Boston Americans (1901–1907) |
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| Boston Red Sox (1908–present) |
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