By Speece

Byron Franklin Speece

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 170 lb.

• Debut April 21, 1924
• Final Game July 10, 1930
• Born January 6, 1897 in West Baden Springs, IN USA
• Died September 29, 1974 in Elgin, OR USA

BR page

Biographical Information

By Speece played four years in the major leagues, appearing in the 1924 World Series. As a minor leaguer, his career stretched 21 years and he won 241 games.

Speece started his career with the Norfolk Elkhorns of the Nebraska State League in 1922. His 14-9 record helped Norfolk capture the league championship. His prowess as a pitcher attracted the attention of Barney Burch, manager of the Omaha Buffaloes. By pitched for Omaha in 1923 and he managed a 26-14 record in 49 games. On May 2nd he set a then Western League record for pitchers by hitting two home runs in one game. According to the Omaha papers he was sold for $15,000 to the Washington Senators.

In 1924 he played for the Senators, including in the World Series. He played for the Cleveland Indians in 1925 and the first part of 1926. He was sent to the Indianapolis Indians for the remainder of the 1926 season, where he had a 17-10 record.

He played for Indianapolis and the Toledo Mud Hens in 1927 and had a 12-10 record. He was back in Indianapolis in 1928 and 1929 where he was 1-4 and 9-2 during those years.

He was back in the majors in 1930 with the Philadelphia Phillies but spent most of the year with the Newark Bears where he was 3-4. He remained in Newark for the 1931 season and the first part of the 1932 season. He played for the Nashville Vols from 1932 through the 1938 season. His best year was 1936 when he had a 22-9 record. He spent the 1939 season with Trois-Rivières of the outlaw Quebec Provincial League, leading the league in strikeouts.

From 1940 through the 1945 season, he was in the Pacific Coast League. He spent three years with the Portland Beavers and three years with the Seattle Rainiers. He was 48 years old during his last year of professional baseball.

In all he pitched in 62 major league games and 673 minor league games.

Notable Achievement

• Won a World Series with the Washington Senators in 1924

Related Sites

• By Speece at the SABR Bio Project