John Slagle

John A. Slagle
born John A. Schlagle

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 175 lb.

• Debut April 30, 1891
• Final Game April 30, 1891
• Born October 30, 1869 in Lawrence, IN USA
• Died February 19, 1915 in Indianapolis, IN USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Pitcher John Slagle played in one game for the Cincinnati Kelly's Killers of the American Association on April 30, 1891. He was sent back to his native Indiana six days later and never pitched in the majors again. However, he had a very long career in the minor leagues, being active for another decade. He went 16-5 for Easton of the Pennsylvania State League in 1893.

His last name is listed under quite a number of different spellings in various records: Schagle, Schlager, Slagel, Schlagle... His father had immigrated from Germany, with Schlagle being the original family name. John Slagle moved to St. Joseph, MO after his playing career and worked there as a bartender for a few years. A John Schlagel shows up in the 1910 census in Moline, IL, which was likely the same person, after which there is no further record. However, he was later matched with a John Schlagle who died of pulmonary tuberculosis in Indianapolis, IN in 1915, as the names of the parents of this man, as listed on the death certificate, match those of the pitcher's parents.

Further Reading

• "John Slagle", in Bill Carle, ed.: Biographical Research Committee Report, SABR, May/June 2016, pp. 8-9.