James McDermott

Note: This page links to Joe McDermott, the major leaguer in the 1870s. For the major league scout and minor league manager, click here.

James McDermott

• Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown
• Height Unknown, Weight Unknown
• Debut May 4, 1871
• Final Game July 6, 1872
• Born 1846 in Brooklyn, NY USA
• Died September 4, 1882 in Brooklyn, NY USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Joe McDermott played two games in the outfield for the 1871 Fort Wayne Kekiongas. He collected two singles and a walk in nine plate appearances.

He took to the mound for the 1872 Brooklyn Eckfords and posted a dreadful 0-7 record on a team that went 3-26. Besides losing more than one fourth of his team's games with a 8.14 earned run average, McDermott also failed to field his position very well committing five errors in just 14 chances. The only positives from his 1872 efforts were his seven complete games and his improved work at the plate where he posted a .281 batting average. Three of his nine hits were doubles.

Researcher Peter Morris found a mention of him in the Brooklyn Eagle in 1876, stating that "McDermott who used to pitch for the Eckfords" was playing in a game between the Tax Office and the Controller's Office of Brooklyn's City Hall (he was with the controller's office). In 1877, he is mentioned, under his birth name James as a clerk in the controller's office. The New York City death index shows a listing for a James McDermott who died in Brooklyn in September of 1882; a note in the Eagle of September 14th mentions his passing, and says he was a member of the Ward 2 Democratic Party (which explains his appointment in City Hall).

Further Reading

• "James McDermott", in Bill Carle, ed.: Biographical Research Committee Report, SABR, January-February 2012, p. 2.

Related Sites

BR Minors page