Buttons Briggs

Herbert Theodore Briggs

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 180 lb.

• Debut April 23, 1896
• Final Game September 25, 1905
• Born July 8, 1875 in Poughkeepsie, NY USA
• Died February 18, 1911 in Cleveland, OH USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Briggs, ca 1897

"Briggs was nicknamed 'Buttons' by his teammates. When he first joined the Chicago team in 1896, he wore a long gray robe in the locker room that had huge, white pearl buttons down the front. About all his teammates could see was the huge white buttons when they looked his way." - James K. Skipper Jr., Baseball Nicknames

Pitcher Buttons Briggs played for the Chicago Colts of the National League from 1896 to 1898. He went 20-8 with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1902 and returned to the majors with the Chicago Cubs in 1904 and 1905. Although he had excellent ERAs in 1904-1905, he was traded after the latter season to Brooklyn, and never again appeared in the majors. The Cubs, meanwhile, won the pennant the next three years. Briggs surfaced with Elyria in 1906.

In his final big league year, 1905, Buttons threw five shutouts among his 20 appearances [1]. In 1907, he led Indianapolis with 16 wins.

Notable Achievements

• 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1904)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1904)

Related Sites

• Baseball History Daily article on Buttons Briggs