Dave Foutz | |||
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First baseman / Outfielder / Pitcher | |||
Born: Carroll County, Maryland |
September 7, 1856|||
Died: March 5, 1897 Waverly, Maryland |
(aged 40)|||
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MLB debut | |||
July 29, 1884, for the St. Louis Browns | |||
Last MLB appearance | |||
May 14, 1896, for the Brooklyn Bridegrooms | |||
MLB statistics | |||
Win–loss record | 147-66 | ||
Earned run average | 2.84 | ||
Strikeouts | 790 | ||
Batting average | .276 | ||
Hits | 1,253 | ||
Runs batted in | 750 | ||
Teams | |||
As player As manager |
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Career highlights and awards | |||
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As player
As manager
David Luther Foutz (September 7, 1856 – March 5, 1897) was a Major League Baseball player for 13 seasons. He played multiple positions, including pitcher, from 1884 to 1896, compiling a 147–66 career record, as well as first base and outfield. From 1893 to 1896, he was the player-manager of the Brooklyn Bridegrooms.
David Luther Foutz was born in Carroll County, Maryland on September 7, 1856, the son of Solomon Augustus Foutz and Miriam Cook. Always known as Dave, he was asthmatic all his life. When he was 21 Foutz drifted out to Leadville, Colorado and worked for a while in the lead mines. While in Leadville, Foutz started playing baseball, pitching for the Leadville Blues, an amateur team. Shortly after, he signed with the Bay City, Michigan minor league team, where he played until 1884. By 1884, Foutz's talent had been spotted by Chris von der Ahe, the owner of the American Association St. Louis Browns. He wanted Foutz's contract so badly he bought the entire Bay City, Michigan franchise. Before joining the major league, Foutz acquired a reputation as a gambler and drinker, figuring if he was going to die young, he would enjoy himself before.
As a player, Dave Foutz was often called "Scissors" and other nicknames, due to his tall (6 foot 2 inch) and thin (161 pounds) build. His first six seasons in the major leagues were spent in the American Association with the St. Louis Browns, all the while suffering from asthma. With the Browns he became their powerhouse right hander who pitched St. Louis to four straight American Association pennants. Along the way, Foutz built up an impressive record and on April 10, 1885, in an exhibition game, Foutz pitched a no-hitter to defeat the St. Louis Maroons, 7-0. Later on June 3, 1886, Foutz pitched a shutout against Brooklyn in what became a 19-0 rout.