Jack Pfiester

John Albert Pfiester
(Jack The Giant Killer)

• Bats Right, Throws Left
• Height 5' 11", Weight 180 lb.

• Debut September 8, 1903
• Final Game May 10, 1911
• Born May 24, 1878 in Cincinnati, OH USA
• Died September 3, 1953 in Loveland, OH USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Jack Pfiester was an excellent pitcher who was a key part of the Chicago Cubs rotation during their greatest years, in the dead-ball era. He won the 1907 National League ERA championship and was 2nd in 1906.

Although a tremendous pitcher, he had to share the spotlight with Mordecai Brown, Ed Reulbach, Carl Lundgren and others.

His lifetime 2.02 major league ERA ranks him # 3 on the all-time list.

The New York Times of March 18, 1911 stated that Pfiester had been told by a "southern physician" that he "had a weak heart, and was out of baseball forever". Pfiester then went to a Chicago doctor, according to the story, who told him he just had indigestion.

Pfiester's major league career in fact ended a couple months later, but he lived over 40 more years.

Notable Achievements

• NL ERA Leader (1907)
• 15 Wins Seasons: 2 (1906 & 1909)
• 20 Wins Seasons: 1 (1906)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 2 (1906 & 1908)
• Won two World Series with the Chicago Cubs (1907 & 1908)

Related Sites

• Jack Pfiester at the SABR Bio Project