Punch Knoll

From BR Bullpen

PunchKnoll.jpg

Charles Elmer Knoll

  • Bats Right, Throws Right
  • Height 5' 7½", Weight 170 lb.

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Biographical Information[edit]

Punch Knoll was an outfielder 28 seasons, 1901 to 1930, one in the Major Leagues and 27 in the minors, with two years of inactivity (1918 & 1929). He was born on October 7, 1881, in Evansville, IN. Knoll was 23 years old when he broke into the big leagues on April 27, 1905 with the Washington Senators. He played for the Senators all of 1905, but otherwise played only in the minors. From 1907 to 1930, he was a player-manager.

Knoll was the father-in-law of Syl Simon and his brother, Hub Knoll, was a well-known minor league player. Three times he led the Central league in home runs: 1908 (12); 1909 (11); and 1911 (11). Overall, he played 2,522 games in the minors with 456 doubles, 142 triples, 85 home runs and a lifetime batting average of .279. In seasons in which he had more than 100 at-bats, Knoll hit more than .300 five times. He also exceeded the 10-triple mark four times and the 10-home run mark three times. For a short time he ran a tavern in Evansville. He also owned an orchard near Chandler, IN. He died at age 78 from a lingering illness and is buried at Locust Hill Cemetery in Evansville.

Principal Source: SABR's Minor League Baseball Stars, Volume III

Year-by-Year Managerial Record[edit]

Year Team League Record Finish Playoffs Notes
1907 Evansville River Rats Central League 69-69 4th none
1908 Evansville River Rats Central League 84-56 1st none League Champs
1909 Evansville River Rats Central League 58-78 7th none
1910 Dayton Veterans Central League 74-63 3rd none
1911 Dayton Veterans Central League 86-51 1st none League Champs
1912 Dayton Veterans Central League 73-56 5th none
1913 Evansville River Rats Central League 60-80 6th none
1914 Evansville River Rats Central League 73-54 2nd none
1915 Evansville River Rats Central League 72-50 1st none
1916 Evansville Evas Central League 63-66 5th
1917 Evansville Evas Central League 56-61 5th
1920 Ludington Mariners Central League 62-62 3rd none
1921 Bay City Wolves Michigan-Ontario League 65-53 3rd Lost League Finals
1922 Bay City Wolves Michigan-Ontario League 69-62 4th
1923 Bay City Wolves Michigan-Ontario League 80-51 1st none League Champs
1924 Bay City Wolves Michigan-Ontario League 86-50 1st League Champs
1925 Danville Veterans Three-I League 69-66 4th none
1926 Danville Veterans Three-I League 72-65 4th none
1927 Quincy Red Birds Three-I League 38-48 6th none replaced Mack Allison (22-23) on June 26
1928 Fort Wayne Chiefs Central League 72-62 3rd League Champs
1929 Wilkes-Barre Barons New York-Penn League 26-47 8th none replaced Don Sykes (1-5) on July 2
1930 Fort Wayne Chiefs Central League 72-67 3rd none
Totals 22 Seasons 1,479-1,317 5 League Championships

Related Sites[edit]