Sam Trott

Samuel W. Trott

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 5' 9", Weight 190 lb.

• Debut May 29, 1880
• Final Game July 28, 1888
• Born March 3, 1857 in Baltimore, MD USA
• Died June 5, 1925 in Catonsville, MD USA

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Biographical Information

" . . . every finger of his two hands was as gnarled as a cypress-tree." - H.L. Mencken, writing in his autobiography about knowing Sam Trott, who caught for most of his career without a glove

Sam Trott played catcher, infield, and outfield during eight seasons in the majors in the 1880s. He also managed briefly in 1891.

In spite of being left-handed, he played most of his major league games at catcher and at second base. Although Baseball Reference lists him as batting left-handed as well, one source claims he batted right-handed.

Trott played his first four seasons in the National League, but hit much better in the American Association in his last four seasons.

Oddly, his last season was his best with the bat. He hit .278 and slugged .454 on a team that hit only .229 and slugged .306.

The book Baseball in Baltimore: The First 100 Years has a photo of the 1885 Orioles team, including Trott.

One source says he was also a scout for Baltimore.

The writer H.L. Mencken, in his autobiography, says that his father employed Sam Trott as a cigar salesman and Trott later worked for a cigar factory.

Further Reading

• "Sam Trott Birth Found", in Bill Carle, ed.: Biographical research Committee Report, SABR, January/February 2019, p. 1.

Related Sites

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