Doc Prothro
James Thompson Prothro
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 10½", Weight 170 lb.
- School University of Tennessee
- High School Castle Heights Military Academy
- Debut September 26, 1920
- Final Game September 24, 1926
- Born July 16, 1893 in Memphis, TN USA
- Died October 14, 1971 in Memphis, TN USA
Biographical Information[edit]
Doc Prothro got his nickname "Doc" the hard way: he graduated from the University of Tennessee Dental School, and practiced before concentrating on baseball. He also served as a dentist in the medical corps during World War I. He played five seasons in the majors and managed three years.
He was working as a dentist when discovered playing town ball, and appeared in a few games after he turned age 27 for the 1920 Washington Senators. When the Senators wanted to send him to the minors in 1921, he refused and went back to his dental practice. Eventually in 1923 he agreed to be assigned to Memphis, where he had been born, and came up for a few more games with the 1924 Senators, who won the World Series. He got more major league playing time in 1925 with the Boston Red Sox and 1926 with the Cincinnati Reds, hitting over .300 each year.
Before managing the Philadelphia Phillies, he was the manager for the Little Rock Travelers from 1935 to 1938, and was player/manager for the Memphis Chickashaws from 1928 to 1934. After the Phillies, he returned to Memphis as manager and part owner until 1947. His years with the Phillies had him at the helm of dreadful teams, that lost over 100 games each year he was there. After he left, they lost in triple figures for his successor, Hans Lobert, demonstrating that the manager had little impact on the team's performance.
Prothro's son Tommy Prothro was head coach of the NFL's Los Angeles Rams (1971-1972) and San Diego Chargers (1974-1978).
Notable Achievements[edit]
- Won a World Series with the Washington Senators in 1924 (he did not play in the World Series)
| Preceded by Jimmie Wilson |
Philadelphia Phillies Manager 1939-1941 |
Succeeded by Hans Lobert |
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