Frank Arellanes

Frank Julian Arellanes

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 180 lb.
• School Santa Clara University
• Debut July 17, 1908
• Final Game August 14, 1910
• Born January 28, 1882 in Santa Cruz, CA USA
• Died December 13, 1918 in San Jose, CA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

"Frank Arellanes, the young pitcher whom the Boston American League Club recently purchased from the San Francisco Club, is believed to be the only man of Spanish extraction in the national game nowadays, with the exception of Louis Castro, late of the Southern League." - Sporting Life, December 12, 1908

Frank Arellanes was an early Hispanic-named player in the majors. Born in Northern California, he died in Northern California (at age 36) but in between pitched on the other coast for the Boston Red Sox. His 2.28 ERA for his three years in the majors was better than average for the time. In 1909 he not only had 16 victories but also led the American League with 8 saves. A notice appeared during the winter of 1910-11 that he had impressed Boston with his work in fall baseball in Sacramento, and that Boston was going to give him another shot, but he didn't appear for them in 1911.

Arellanes is listed as being at Santa Clara University in the years 1901-1908, at the same time that Hal Chase was there (1901-1904). He was signed by the New York Highlanders at Chase's recommendation. Frank played semipro ball in his home town of Santa Cruz, CA before going to the minors at San Jose. His brother, Abe Arellanes, also played for the Santa Cruz semipro team.

The December 12, 1908 edition of Sporting Life featured his photo and biography on p. 1. Sporting Life had trouble with the spelling of his last name, often spelling it "Arrelanes" or "Arrellanes". He started in pro ball in 1902, playing third base when he did not pitch. On July 5, 1907, he threw a no-hitter against the Alameda Grays while pitching for the San Jose Prune Pickers in the California League. When he was signed by the Highlanders, San Francisco contested the signing and won. Then Boston purchased the rights to him from San Francisco. While with the Sacramento Sacts in 1910 he pitched a no-hitter against the Vernon Tigers but lost the game, 2-0. He won 22 games for Sacramento in 1912. In his 11-season minor league career, all but one season was spent with California-based teams (the exception was a year with the Denver Bears in 1915).

Notable Achievements

• AL Saves Leader (1909)
• 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1909)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1909)

Related Sites

• Frank Arellanes at the SABR Bio Project
• Find-A-Grave Memorial for Frank Arellanes