Charlie Knepper

Charles Knepper

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 202 lb.

• Debut May 26, 1899
• Final Game September 26, 1899
• Born February 18, 1871 in Pickaway County, OH USA
• Died February 6, 1946 in Muncie, IN USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Hoosier native Charlie Knepper spent five seasons in professional baseball, four in the minors starting with the Washington Giants of the Kentucky-Indiana League and the Indianapolis Hoosiers of the Western League in the 1896 season. He was with the Burlington Colts of the Western Association in 1897. In 1898, he was again with the Indianapolis Hoosiers, and also the Youngstown Puddlers of the Interstate League. Records show he was back again in 1899 with Indianapolis for a short period and finished up his minor league career with the St. Paul Saints of the Western League in 1901. No statistics are readily available for his performances during this time.

Knepper spent one season in the majors, pitching for the Cleveland Spiders in 1899, a notoriously futile team that set a major league record by losing 134 games. Knepper was one of that team's primary starting pitchers, and he tied Jim Hughey for the team lead with four wins. He also ranked among the National League's leaders in several undesirable pitching categories, including home runs allowed (second, with 11), losses (fourth, with 22), earned runs allowed (seventh, with 141), and wild pitches (tenth, with eight).

On March 10, 1900, Knepper was assigned to the St. Louis Cardinals by the Cleveland Spiders, when the Spiders folded; the teams had the same owners in 1899.

After baseball, Knepper returned to Indiana and made his home in Muncie, IN. He worked for 25 years in the heat treatment department at Warner Gear Company, retiring in 1935. He died in Ball Hospital following a long illness on February 6, 1946.

Notable Achievements

• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1899)

Related Sites

• BR Minors page