Bobby Mitchell (mitchbo01)

Robert McKasha Mitchell

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 5' 5", Weight 135 lb.

• Debut September 6, 1877
• Final Game August 19, 1882
• Born February 6, 1856 in Cincinnati, OH USA
• Died May 1, 1933 in Springfield, OH USA

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Biographical Information

Bobby Mitchell was a sensation in 1877 as the first lefty in the National League, demolishing the belief that left-handers could not be successful pitchers. Although Mitchell was in only 15 games in 1877, he led the Cincinnati Reds in victories with 6 and had 40% of their total wins for the season. He pitched for three more seasons but without as much notoriety.

Mitchell's second season, 1878, was one in which he went 7-2 with an ERA of 2.14, lower than the league average but not as low as the team's regular pitcher, Will White. In both 1877 and 1878 he led the league in strikeouts per nine innings pitched.

Bobby also played some as a position player, appearing each year as an outfielder and during 1878 in a couple of games as a shortstop.

He had previously pitched for the Champion Citys ballclub of Springfield, OH.

He is not to be confused with two other players of the same name: Bobby Mitchell (1970-75) and Bobby Mitchell (1980-83).

One source: The Baseball Rookies Encyclopedia.