Ross Reynolds

Ross Ernest Reynolds (August 20, 1887 – June 23, 1970), nicknamed "Doc", was a right-handed American baseball pitcher.

For the English rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s, and 1950s, see Roslyn Reynolds.
For the Australian rugby union player, see Ross Reynolds (rugby union).
Ross Reynolds
Pitcher
Born: (1887-08-20)August 20, 1887
Barksdale, Texas
Died: June 23, 1970(1970-06-23) (aged 82)
Ada, Oklahoma
Batted: Unknown Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 2, 1914, for the Detroit Tigers
Last MLB appearance
May 1, 1915, for the Detroit Tigers
MLB statistics
Win-Loss Record5–4
Strikeouts33
Earned run average2.62
Teams

He played professional baseball for five years from 1912 to 1916, including two seasons in Major League Baseball for the Detroit Tigers in 1914 and 1915. Known for his ability to throw a spitball with control, he appeared in 30 games, nine as a starter, and compiled a 5–4 win-loss record and a 2.62 earned run average. As a rookie in 1914, he compiled a 2.08 ERA and defeated Walter Johnson in a 2–1 decision on August 25, 1914.

Reynolds also played in the minor leagues for a team in Minneapolis, Kansas (1912) and for the Topeka Kaws (1912–1913), the Louisville Colonels (1915), and the Denver Bears. Arm troubles ended his career in 1916 at age 29.

Early years

Reynolds was born in Barksdale, Texas, in 1887.[1] He grew up and made his home in Wetumka, Oklahoma.[2][3] He was six feet, two inches tall, weighed 185 pounds, and threw and batted right-handed.[1]

Professional baseball

Minneapolis and Topeka

Reynold began his professional baseball career in 1912 at age 25, playing for the Minneapolis Minnies in the Central Kansas League. He compiled a 17–11 record in 30 games for Minneapolis.[4]

In August 1912, Reynolds was purchased from Minneapolis by the Topeka Kaws of the Western League for $300 down and another $300 if Reynolds "made good." In September 1912, the Cincinnati Reds drafted Reynolds, but they drafted him from Minneapolis rather than Topeka. On that basis, Topeka was able to nullify the draft in proceedings before the national commission, and Reynolds remained with Topeka for the 1913 season.[5] On July 21, 1913, he pitched a no-hitter into the eighth inning and shut out Wichita by a 5–0 score.[6]

Detroit Tigers

On August 1, 1913, the Detroit Tigers purchased Reynolds from Topeka for $5,000, consisting of $4,000 in cash and two players. The sum was the highest price ever received by the Topeka club for the sale of a player.[7][8] The agreement allowed Reynolds to remain with Topeka through the end of the 1913 season. At the time of the sale, Reynolds was described as "a big fellow and has just as much stuff left in the ninth inning as he starts out with in the first."[8]

At the end of spring training in 1914, manager Hughie Jennings had decided to send Reynolds to the minor leagues, but pitcher Jean Dubuc persuaded team owner Frank Navin to keep Reynolds on the Tigers' lineup. Dubuc opined that Reynolds had the best control of a spitball he had ever seen.[9] Dubuc added: "If you want a 'Walsh in the bud,' keep this fellow. He has a fine spit-ball, good control, holds men on the sacks and has plenty of nerve. He's a comer or I don't know anything about pitching."[10] Detroit sports writer E. A. Batchelor had this to say about Reynolds: "He is well over six feet, broad-shouldered and deep chested and has one of those square jaws which denotes courage under fire."[9]

The Tigers followed Dubuc's advice and used Reynolds principally as a relief pitcher during the 1914 season. Reynolds appeared in 26 games for the Tigers in 1914, seven as a starter, compiling a 5–3 record with a 2.08 earned run average (ERA).[1] His ERA was ninth best in the American League.[7]

on August 25, 1914, Reynolds allowed only five hits and won a pitching duel with Walter Johnson, as the Tigers defeated the Washington Senators, 2–1. Reynolds scored the winning run after Johnson misplayed his bunt, allowing it to roll through his legs. After advancing to second base, Ty Cobb got a base hit to right field, and Johnson deflected the throw to the plate allowing Reynolds to score.[11][12]

In 1915, Reynolds appeared in only four games for the Tigers, two as a starter, all early in the season. His ERA soared to 6.35 as he gave up eight earned runs, 17 hits and five bases on balls in 11-1/3 innings pitched. He appeared in his last major league game on May 1, 1915.[1] According to one account, his "old fault of wildness" bothered Reynolds in early games for the Tigers.[7]

Louisville and Denver

On May 16, 1915, Reynolds was sold to the Louisville Colonels and appeared in 15 games for the Colonels during the 1915 season.[7][4] On August 9, 1915, Reynolds was fined and suspended for the remainder of the season for failing to observe the club's training rules.[13] He was reportedly not "in condition to play good base ball."[14]

In March 1916, the Louisville club sold Reynolds to the Denver Bears of the Western League. His release was a surprise to Louisville fans given the progress Reynolds had made during spring practice. He had reportedly shown up in "superb condition" and had been "one of the hardest workers in the training camp."[15] Reynolds appeared in 18 games for Denver and compiled a 4–7 record with a 3.03 ERA.[4] On July 8, 1916, having suffered from "a bad arm," Reynolds was released by the Denver club.[16]

Later years

Reynolds died in Ada, Oklahoma, in 1970, at age 82.[1]

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References
  1. "Ross Reynolds". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  2. "Reynolds Will Pitch Last Game Here Today". The Topeka Daily Capital. September 23, 1913. p. 8.
  3. "Oklahoma Giant Has Signed With Tigers". The Pittsburgh Press. January 19, 1914. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Ross Reynolds Minor League Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  5. "Sports". Lincoln Daily News. September 24, 1912. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Reynolds Pitches a Shutout Game". The Topeka Daily Capital. July 22, 1913. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Detroit Sends Big Doc Reynolds To Louisville". The Topeka Daily Capital. May 16, 1915. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Doc Reynolds To The Tigers". The Salina Daily Union. August 1, 1913. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. E. A. Batchelor (April 7, 1914). "Jean Dubuc Is Strong Booster For Ross Reynolds To Remain With the Jungaleers This Year". The Detroit Free Press. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. E. A. Batchelor (May 6, 1914). "Jinx Pursues 'Covey' In Games Against Naps". Detroit Free Press. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Johnson Loses a Game Through Own Misplays". The Washington Post. August 26, 1914. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Johnson Is Beaten By Youngster: Ross Reynolds, Tigers' Spitball Artist, Holds Nationals to Five Hits and Gets 2 to 1 Decision Over Star; Walter's Own Error Gives Detroit Game". The Detroit Free Press. August 26, 1914. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Ross Reynolds Suspended". The Detroit Free Press. August 10, 1915. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ""Doc" Reynolds Not In Condition". The Evening Kansan-Republican. August 11, 1915. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. "Reynolds Goes To Denver Club: Release of Local Hurler Surprise Party For Local Fans". The Courier-Journal (Louisville). March 30, 1916. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. "Doc Reynolds Slips Down Again". The Topeka Daily Capital. July 9, 1916. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
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