Al Orth

Al Orth
Pitcher
Born: September 5, 1872(1872-09-05) Tipton, Indiana
Died: October 8, 1948(1948-10-08) (aged 76) Lynchburg, Virginia
Batted: Left	Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 15, 1895 for the Philadelphia Phillies
Last MLB appearance
September 20, 1909 for the New York Highlanders
Career statistics
Win-Loss Record	204-189
Earned run average	3.37
Strikeouts	948
Teams
Philadelphia Phillies (1895–1901) Washington Senators (1902–1904) New York Highlanders (1904–1909)

Albert Lewis Orth (September 5, 1872 – October 8, 1948) was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was born in Tipton, Indiana, and died at age 76 in Lynchburg, Virginia. He went to DePauw University.

When Orth was traded to the New York Highlanders in 1904 after struggling the year before, he picked up the spitball from Jack Chesbro and had his best year in 1906, going 27–17 in 45 games (39 starts), and leading the American League in wins.

He had great control, usually finishing with around one walk per nine innings, leading the league in the category twice.

Known for changing speeds on his fastball masterfully, it is believed by most that Orth never threw a curveball in his career. He was often called the "The Curveless Wonder",

Orth was also known for his hitting skills, finishing seventh all-time among pitchers in hits, with 389. Orth would frequently hit above .300. He was used as a pinch hitter 78 times and even played the field on a few occasions, including fifty-five games as an outfielder and eight at shortstop during his time with the Washington Senators.

After ending his career because of knee injuries and a sore arm^{[citation needed]}, he managed in the Virginia League and coached in the majors and in college. He also served as a National League umpire.

As an umpire he officated on May 2, 1917 when Fred Toney and Hippo Vaughn each pitched 9 innings of no-hit baseball, the only time in regulation when neither team got a hit.^[1]

See also

Baseball portal

• List of Major League Baseball umpires
• List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
• List of Major League Baseball saves champions
• List of Major League Baseball wins champions

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference