Dode Criss

Dode Criss

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 200 lb.

• Debut April 20, 1908
• Final Game August 25, 1911
• Born March 12, 1885 in Sherman, MS USA
• Died September 8, 1955 in Sherman, MS USA

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Biographical Information

"...a better hitter than Cobb..." - Jimmy McAleer, 1908, when Criss hit .341, higher than Cobb's .324, from the book More Than Merkle

"...the game's first true professional pinch-hitter." - from the book Stand and Deliver, about pinch-hitters

Dode Criss was a pinch-hitter extraordinaire in four seasons in the majors. He also played in the field, and actually appeared more at pitcher than at any field position. While he was not very effective as a pitcher, in 1910 he appeared in six games with an ERA of 1.40. As a hitter, he was always above average, but his performance slipped as he aged.

Criss is a member of the Texas League Hall of Fame. He played in the league seven seasons, doing much the same as he did in the majors. As a pitcher, he had a record of 81-40 and threw four no-hitters (6/28/1906, 6/20/1914, 4/19/1915 and 5/5/1915). As a hitter, he hit .321 and, while he several times had the highest average in the league, he never had enough at bats to qualify for the batting title.