Al Thake

Albert Thake

• Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown
• Height 6' 0"

• Debut June 13, 1872
• Last Game August 28, 1872
• Born September 21, 1849 in Wymondham, England
• Died September 1, 1872 in Brooklyn, NY USA

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Biographical Information

Al Thake was one of the best hitters on the 1872 Brooklyn Atlantics, with the highest slugging percentage among the regulars. Although he played only half of the team's games that season, he was fairly close to the team lead in RBI. He died, however, before the season was over. Thake played mostly in left field, where his range was better than average. He had previously played for the Star club.

On September 1, 1872, Al became the second major league baseball player to die (after Elmer White). Only three weeks short of his 23rd birthday, Thake was fishing in New York harbor when he fell out of his boat and drowned. He was close to land when he fell, but the young leftfielder was unable to swim to shore, possibly because he got entangled in fishing lines. The Brooklyn Atlantics held a benefit exhibition game for Thake's widow, but due to poor weather not much money was raised.

Al did not play in the National Association in 1871, but then the Atlantics did not join the NA until 1872.