Biography Boss Schmidt

schmidt in 1908

schmidt born in coal hill, arkansas , began professional playing career in missouri valley league in 1902. joining tigers in 1906, schmidt shared playing time 2 other catchers on team s roster, john warner , fred payne, in baseball s first season-long platoon arrangement. following season, became team s starting catcher tigers won 3 consecutive american league pennants 1907 1909.

schmidt had 6 hits , 5 rbis in 3 world series 1907 1909. holds dubious distinction of having committed 5 errors , allowed 16 stolen bases during 1908 world series—both records still stand today. schmidt made last out in consecutive world series in 1907-08, player ever so. both world series won chicago cubs—the last world series cubs won until 2016. schmidt let 3rd strike 2 outs in bottom of ninth of game 1 of 1907 series away, allowing run score, tied game. after 12 innings game called on account of darkness , game ruled tie. also, in 1907 world series, schmidt gave record 7 stolen bases in game 3, against 1 catcher in 1 series game.

schmidt s best season 1908, in had career highs in hits (111), runs batted in (38), walks (16), , batting average (.265). in 477 career games, schmidt batted .243 360 hits , 3 home runs. served base umpire in 3 games in 1906-07, active players used substitute umpires.

as young man, schmidt worked in coal mines , developed muscular , powerful physique. according detroit tigers information office, schmidt beat ty cobb in several fights. in second fight, schmidt knocked cobb unconscious admired cobb s resiliency while fighting , stayed revive cobb lay motionless on tiger dressing room floor. despite clashes, schmidt , cobb (both tough nails) became close friends until schmidt s death in 1932. [1]

schmidt played role in cobb s march 1907 fist fight african american groundskeeper. when groundskeeper tried shake cobb s hand, cobb slapped him , chased him clubhouse. groundskeeper s wife yelled @ cobb, , cobb began choke her. schmidt intervened , stopped cobb hurting further. cobb , schmidt got fight , had separated teammates.

schmidt skilled brawler reportedly fought exhibition match heavyweight champion, jack johnson. felt best fighting baseball player in league , challenged baseball players match.

aside prowess fighter, schmidt known other displays of physical toughness. catcher, schmidt never wore shinguards. force nails floor bare fists. once visited local carnival of teammates , wrestled , pinned live bear. schmidt s career shortened due numerous fractures sustained on years of thumb , fingers.

walter schmidt, major league catcher, younger brother.

after left baseball, boss returned coal mines while returned minors , coached , managed.

schmidt died in 1932 in clarksville, arkansas.