Jack Katoll

Johann Katoll
(Big Jack or Katy)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 195 lb.

• Debut September 9, 1898
• Final Game September 29, 1902
• Born June 24, 1875 in Finckenstein, Germany
• Died June 18, 1955 in Woodstock, IL USA

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Biographical Information

Jack Katoll played four years in the majors, most notably for the Chicago White Sox in the inaugural season of the major-league American League when he went 11-10. He also pitched in the minors, including a couple seasons for the Minneapolis Millers.

With the 1902 Minneapolis Millers, teammates included Perry Werden, Walt Wilmot, Dad Clarke and Walter Carlisle. He also pitched for the Baltimore Orioles that season, being acquired from Chicago after a majority of their team defected to the National League at the instigation of manager John McGraw. Jack went 5-10 for the Birds, and twice matched the record for most hits allowed in a game with 23, on September 2nd and on September 12th. That gave him an average of 12.77 hits allowed per 9 innings, the second highest total of the Deadball Era; the pitchers ahead an behind him on the all-time list were teammates with the Orioles that year: Ike Butler and Charlie Shields.

While playing for the Chicago White Sox in 1901, pitcher Jack Katoll was involved in an altercation with an umpire. After Sox shortstop Frank Shugart punched umpire John Haskell, a fight ensued. During the fight, Katoll beaned Haskell in the leg. He was suspended 11 games after the incident.

Born in Germany, he came up at a time when it was not unusual for German-born players to be in the majors.

Related Sites

• Jack Katoll at the SABR Bio Project