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George Mogridge

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For the author, see George Mogridge (writer).

George Mogridge
Mogridge in 1924
Pitcher
Born: (1889-02-18)February 18, 1889
Rochester, New York, U.S.
Died: March 4, 1962(1962-03-04) (aged 73)
Rochester, New York, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
August 17, 1912, for the Chicago White Sox
Last MLB appearance
July 2, 1927, for the Boston Braves
MLB statistics
Win–loss record132–133
Earned run average3.23
Strikeouts678
Teams
Career highlights and awards

George Anthony Mogridge (February 18, 1889 – March 4, 1962) was an American professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox (1911–12), New York Yankees (1915–20), Washington Senators (1921–25), St. Louis Browns (1925), and Boston Braves (1926–27). Mogridge threw the first no-hitter for the Yankees franchise in 1917 and was a member of the 1924 World Series champions with the Senators.

Early life

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George Anthony Mogridge was born in Rochester, New York. He attended Holy Family School[1] and the University of Rochester, where he played college baseball for the Rochester Yellowjackets. He also played semi-professional baseball in Rochester.[2]

Professional career

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Mogridge made his professional baseball debut in 1911 with the Galesburg Pavers of the Class D Central Association. A friend who signed with Galesburg suggested Mogridge to the team.[2] The Chicago White Sox purchased Mogridge from the Pavers in June, and gave him a brief trial in the major leagues in September 1911.[3] He had a 0–2 win–loss record in four games pitched for Chicago.[4] He opened the 1912 season with the White Sox, but he struggled, pitching to a 3–4 record in 17 games.[5] The White Sox sent Mogridge to the Lincoln Railsplitters of the Class A Western League in July.[6] He participated in spring training with the White Sox in 1913,[7][8] and was released to the Minneapolis Millers of the Class AA American Association.[9] Larry Schlafly, the manager of the Buffalo Buffeds of the outlaw Federal League pursued Mogridge before the 1914 season,[10] but he returned to Minneapolis for the start of the season.[11] Minneapolis traded Mogridge to the Des Moines Boosters of the Western League in May 1914.[12]

George Mogridge, Chicago White Sox, 1912

In 1915, Mogridge emerged as the ace of the Boosters' pitching staff. Des Moines sold Mogridge to the New York Yankees for $3,500 ($105,414 in current dollar terms) in June after he was scouted by Duke Farrell; per the arrangement, Mogridge did not join the Yankees until after the conclusion of Des Moines' season in September.[13][14] He had a 2–3 record and a 1.76 earned run average (ERA) in six games for the Yankees in 1915.[15] The next year, he had a 6–12 record and a 2.31 ERA with 10 complete games.[16] On April 24, 1917, at Fenway Park, he threw the first no-hitter in Yankees history.[17] He had a 9–11 record, a 2.98 ERA, and 15 complete games in 1917.[18] In 1918, Mogridge had a 16–13 record and a 2.18 ERA, and led the American League in games pitched (45), saves (7) and games finished (23).[17][19] He had a 16–13 record in 1919, but slipped to a 5–9 record in 1920.[20]

On December 31, 1920, the Yankees traded Mogridge and Duffy Lewis to the Washington Senators for Braggo Roth.[21] His 3.00 ERA for the 1921 season was the second-best in the league, behind only Red Faber.[22] Mogridge helped the Senators win the 1924 World Series. With the Senators trailing in the series two games to one, Mogridge started Game 4 for the Senators, which they won.[23][24] He also pitched in relief for the Senators in the deciding Game 7, replacing Curly Ogden, who Bucky Harris, Washington's manager, decided to start but allow to only pitch to two batters.[25] Mogridge pitched 4+2⁄3 innings, allowing one earned run, to give Washington the chance to stay in the game, which Washington won in extra innings.[17][26]

Mogridge struggled at the beginning of the 1925 season, pitching to a 3–4 record with only three complete games. On June 18, the Senators traded Mogridge and Pinky Hargrave to the St. Louis Browns for Hank Severeid.[27] He pitched in two games for the Browns in 1925.[28] On February 6, 1926, the Browns traded Mogridge with cash to the New York Yankees for Wally Schang.[29] The Yankees intended to send Mogridge to a minor league team as payment for players acquired during the 1925 season. Mogridge refused to accept a minor league assignment, which was his right as a 10-year veteran of the major leagues. The Boston Braves selected Mogridge off of waivers from the Yankees on February 15.[30][31] He had a 6–10 record and a 4.50 ERA with two complete games in 1926.[32] In 1927, he had a 6–4 record and a 3.70 ERA.[33]

The Braves sold Mogridge to the Rochester Tribe of the Class AA International League in June 1927 so that he could become their manager, following the resignation of George Stallings.[34] Mogridge signed a three-year contract with Rochester for $30,000 ($526,207 in current dollar terms).[35] The St. Louis Cardinals acquired the Tribe after the 1927 season, incorporating it into their expanding farm system, and bought Mogridge out of the remaining two years on his contract so they could hire Billy Southworth to manage the team.[36]

Personal life

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After his release from the Tribe, Mogridge stayed in Rochester, where he resumed playing semi-professional baseball.[37] Mogridge owned a hotel, the Mogridge Inn, from 1927 to 1934, when it was destroyed by a fire. He then operated a sporting goods store until 1942. He took a job with the Weathermaster Company, selling storm windows, and worked for them until 1960. In his later years, Mogridge enjoyed fishing. He purchased a cottage on the Bay of Quinte in Ontario, Canada.[1]

Mogridge and his wife, Clara, had a son, George J. Mogridge. He was a member of the Society of the Holy Name.[1]

Mogridge died in his home in Rochester on March 4, 1962.[35] He was buried in the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Rochester.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "George A. Mogridge Dies; Played in World Series". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. March 5, 1962. p. 19. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b Weller, Sam (February 29, 1912). "George Mogridge Starts Baseball Career as a "Student in Writing"". Chicago Tribune. p. 9. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "The Hot Stove League". The Standard Union. January 26, 1912. p. 15. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "1911 Chicago White Sox Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  5. ^ "1912 Chicago White Sox Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  6. ^ "Pitcher Mogridge Signed By Jones". The Lincoln Star. July 19, 1912. p. 1. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Gets Another Chance From Comiskey". Democrat and Chronicle. February 23, 1913. p. 30. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "C.A. Players To Stay With Sox". The Courier. March 18, 1913. p. 2. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Sox Release Twirler". The Oregon Daily Journal. United Press. April 27, 1913. p. 24. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Federal League Clubs After Pitcher Mogridge". Democrat and Chronicle. January 14, 1914. p. 17. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "George Mogridge On Losing Side In Season's Opening". Democrat and Chronicle. April 15, 1914. p. 21. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "George Mogridge Traded". The Evening Mail. May 6, 1914. p. 5. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "He's Back In The Big Show". Democrat and Chronicle. June 26, 1915. p. 32. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Taylor, Sec (June 28, 1915). "Mogridge Goes To New York Yankees". The Des Moines Register. p. 6. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "1915 New York Yankees Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  16. ^ "1916 New York Yankees Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  17. ^ a b c Lahman, Sean (April 1, 2015). "RocJocks: George Mogridge threw first Yankees' no-hitter". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  18. ^ "1917 New York Yankees Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  19. ^ "1918 American League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  20. ^ Brown, Norman E. (February 21, 1921). "Starring Sports". The Birmingham News. p. 10. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ "Nationals To Get Pitcher Mogridge And Lewis In Deal". The Washington Herald. January 1, 1921. p. 7. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ Thompson, Denman (December 23, 1921). "Local Southpaw Second Most Effective Pitcher". Evening Star. p. 28. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ Schumacher, Harry (October 8, 1924). "Old George Mogridge Unexpected Star Of Fourth Series Battle". New York Daily News. p. 27. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "1924 World Series Game 4, Washington Senators at New York Giants, October 7, 1924". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  25. ^ "Psychology Used By Harris To Win Games". The Greenville Democrat. Associated Press. November 12, 1924. p. 4. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ "1924 World Series Game 7, New York Giants at Washington Senators, October 10, 1924". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  27. ^ "Severid Should Help Ruel And Club's Punch". Evening Star. June 19, 1925. p. 30. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "1925 St. Louis Browns Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  29. ^ "Browns Get 'Wally' Schang In Trade For Pitcher Mogridge". The Morning Call. Associated Press. February 7, 1926. p. 9. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "George Mogridge Sold By Yankees To Braves". The Baltimore Sun. Associated Press. February 16, 1926. p. 14. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ "George Mogridge, Veteran Hurler, Bought By Braves". Messenger-Inquirer. March 22, 1926. p. 6. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ "1926 Boston Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  33. ^ "1927 Boston Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  34. ^ "George Mogridge To Manage Club In International". Messenger-Inquirer. Associated Press. June 30, 1927. p. 8. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ a b "Mogridge, Dead at 72, Hurled 1917 No-Hitter". Democrat and Chronicle. March 5, 1962. p. 23. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ "Former Pilot Here Settles On Contract". Democrat and Chronicle. March 2, 1928. p. 10. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ "24 Sep 1933". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. September 24, 1933. p. 30. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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Achievements
Preceded by MLB no-hitters
April 24, 1917 		Succeeded by
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