Henry Schmidt

Henry Martin Schmidt

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 150 lb.

• Debut April 17, 1903
• Final Game September 22, 1903
• Born June 26, 1873 in Brownsville, TX USA
• Died April 23, 1926 in Nashville, TN USA

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Biographical Information

Henry Schmidt was the winningest pitcher on the Brooklyn Superbas of 1903, in spite of having a high ERA. One key was that he kept unearned runs to a minimum. He was a bit wild, though, as he walked 120 batters (against 96 strikeouts) and led the National League with 21 hit batsmen. He also umpired one National League game that season.

Schmidt came to Brooklyn from the Pacific Coast League, and after the 1903 season he decided he did not like playing in the east, so he returned to the PCL. It was not something uncommon in those days: he was in effect replacing Jay Hughes on the Brooklyn staff, who had gone 15-11 in 1902 before deciding to head back to California.

Record

Schmidt is the only pitcher to win at least 20 games in his only season in the majors. Park Swartzel and Fred Smith each won 19 in the 19th century.

He was a winner in the final 9 decisions of his career, which was the record until Eddie Yuhas won his final 10 decisions. He still holds second place, however..

Notable Achievements

• 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1903)
• 20 Wins Seasons: 1 (1903)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1903)
• 300 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1903)

Related Sites

• Henry Schmidt at the SABR Bio Project