Fred Herbert

Frederick Herbert
born Herbert Frederick Kemman

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 185 lb.
• School University of Illinois
• Debut September 25, 1915
• Final Game September 29, 1915
• Born March 4, 1887 in LaGrange, IL USA
• Died May 29, 1963 in Tice, FL USA

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Biographical Information

Fred Herbert is remembered for his one season in the major leagues where he pitched 17 innings giving up only 2 earned runs.

Herbert and his brothers were eager enough to play baseball that they formed a semi-pro team that played on a diamond constructed on the family's farm. Herbert went to the University of Illinois and pitched there, and then joined a minor league team in Ottawa. He was born as Herbert Frederick Kemman, but used a different name when he went into the minor leagues. When he pitched with Toronto of the International League, he pitched a no-hitter against Baltimore.

Both Brooklyn and the Giants wanted Herbert, and Herbert ended up with the Giants. He pitched well, and in the winter after the 1915 season, manager John McGraw wanted to keep him, but burdened with a payroll enlarged by the signing of several ex-Federal League players, he let Herbert go back to Toronto.

Herbert joined the Beloit Fairies in 1916 and pitched under his real name, including winning both games of a doubleheader. Herbert retired and stayed in Beloit, WI winning the city bowling tournament several times, including at the age of 61. He became mayor of Beloit, and was named to the Beloit Sports Hall of Fame.

The name "Fairies" was short for the company "Fairbanks-Morse", a company where Herbert worked as a foreman for several years. He died in 1963 and is buried in his mometown of LaGrange, IL, under his birth name.

Source: Fred Herbert and the Fairies

Related Sites

• Fred Herbert at the SABR Bio Project