Patsy Dougherty

Patrick Henry Dougherty

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 190 lb.
• High School Bolivar (NY) High School
• Debut April 19, 1902
• Final Game September 22, 1911
• Born October 27, 1876 in Andover, NY USA
• Died April 30, 1940 in Bolivar, NY USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Left fielder Patsy Dougherty played a decade in the majors and was noted for several historic "firsts", including being the the first player to play for two World Series champions.

After playing high school ball in Bolivar, New York, Dougherty was discovered by Fielder Jones. Following several seasons in the Eastern League, he joined the Boston Americans (later know as the Red Sox) in 1902. The next year, 1903 he finished third in the American League in batting (.331) and stolen bases (35), and paced the circuit in hits (195) and runs scored (107), as the Americans reached the World Series. Also that year, he became the first batter ever at Hilltop Park, hitting leadoff against the New York Highlanders on April 30th. In the postseason that year, he became the first man to homer twice in a World Series game, connecting off the Pittsburgh Pirates' Sam Leever and Bucky Veil in Game 2. After that game, no one homered in a Series until 1908 (Joe Tinker), and no one hit a pair in a game again until Harry Hooper in 1915.

After being traded to the Highlanders during the 1904 season, he played for the team for about two years before being acquired by the Chicago White Sox, for whom he won his second World Series in 1906. He spent the next four seasons as the White Sox's regular leftfielder and led the AL with 46 stolen bases in 1908.

During his career, Dougherty broke up no-hitters four times.

After his playing days, Dougherty was president of the Inter-State League and was assistant cashier at a bank in Bolivar, New York.

Notable Achievements

• 2-time AL At Bats Leader (1903 & 1904)
• 2-time AL Runs Scored Leader (1903 & 1904)
• AL Hits Leader (1903)
• AL Singles Leader (1903)
• AL Stolen Bases Leader (1908)
• 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 2 (1903 & 1904)
• Won two World Series with the Boston Americans (1903) and the Chicago White Sox (1906)

Further Reading

• Ray Anselmo: "Patrick Henry Dougherty", in David Jones, ed.: Deadball Stars of the American League, SABR, Potomac Books, Inc., Dulles, VA, 2006, pp. 497-499.

Related Sites

• Patsy Dougherty at the SABR Bio Project
• Patsy Dougherty obituary