Joe Lake

Joseph Henry Lake

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 185 lb.

• Debut April 21, 1908
• Final Game August 25, 1913
• Born January 6, 1881 in Brooklyn, NY USA
• Died June 30, 1950 in Brooklyn, NY USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Joe Lake played six years in the big leagues. Although he was born and died in Brooklyn, NY, he never played for the Brooklyn team.

Lake was 27 years old by the time he made it to the majors. In 1907, he had won 25 games for Jersey City. In his first major league season, he led the 1908 American League in losses by a pitcher. The following year, although his team was still a bit under .500, Joe finished 14-11 with a 1.88 ERA, leading the team's starters in both victories and in ERA.

The 1909 Highlanders traded him after the season was over to the St. Louis Browns, and he pitched 2 1/2 years for them. The Browns lost over 100 games in each of 1910-12, and Lake had a losing record each year as well.

When he was traded in mid-year to the 1912 Tigers, his ERA improved in the last half of the season to 3.10 (the team ERA was 3.75). In his last year in the majors, he went 8-7 for the 1913 Tigers, posting a 3.28 ERA for a team whose ERA was 3.38.

Lake also pitched part of 1913 for Minneapolis, going 5-3, and in 1914 he went 16-13 for the team.

Notable Achievements

• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 5 (1908-1912)

Related Sites

• Joe Lake at the SABR Bio Project