Lefty Leifield
| Lefty Leifield | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| Pitcher | |||
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Born: September 5, 1883 Trenton, Illinois | |||
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Died: October 10, 1970 (aged 87) Alexandria, Virginia | |||
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| MLB debut | |||
| September 3, 1905, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |||
| Last MLB appearance | |||
| September 24, 1920, for the St. Louis Browns | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 124–97 | ||
| Earned run average | 2.47 | ||
| Strikeouts | 616 | ||
| Teams | |||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Albert Peter "Lefty" Leifield (September 5, 1883 – October 10, 1970), was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1905–1920. He played for the St. Louis Browns, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Chicago Cubs.
Baseball career
In 1905, Leifield was the ace of the Western League's Des Moines Underwriters, winning 26 games to help the Underwriters take the pennant. In September, Pittsburgh Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss purchased his contract for $2,500. Leifield pitched a shutout in his major league debut.
From 1906 to 1911, Leifield stayed in the Pittsburgh starting rotation, winning 15 or more games each season. In 1909, he went 19-8 to help the Pirates win the National League pennant. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1912.
On July 4,1906, in the first game of a doubleheader at the Pirates Exposition Park, Leifield lost a double one-hitter to Mordecai Brown and the Chicago Cubs, 1-0 (1 of only 5 double one-hitters in major league history, 4 since 1901). Leifield had a no-hitter going into the 9th inning but gave up a run on a hit and an error. Leifield's own single was the only hit for the Pirates.
After being released in 1913, Leifield returned home, and then went to San Francisco, California to pitch in the Pacific Coast League. In 1915, he went to spring training with the Pirates but instead played for the St. Paul Saints of the American Association. On August 20, he struck out 15 in a game for the Saints.
In 1918, Leifield returned to the majors as a player-coach for the St. Louis Browns, and then as a full-time coach for the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers. He finished his major league career with 124 wins.
Leifield died in Fairfax, Virginia at the age of 87.
See also
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)