Mitchell was known for throwing the spitball, and he was one of the 17 pitchers allowed to continue throwing the pitch after it was outlawed in 1920.
He was a very good hitting pitcher in his 18-year major league career, posting a .252 batting average (324-for-1287) with 138 runs, 7 home runs, 133 RBI and drawing 72 bases on balls. He drove in 10 or more runs in six seasons, with a season high of 28 in 1922 as a member of the Brooklyn Robins. In 1919, he batted a career high .367 (18-for-49) for Brooklyn. He was also used in the outfield and at first base.
Recordsedit
On October 10, 1920, in Game 5 of the 1920 World Series, Mitchell made history when, with men on first and second and no outs, he hit a rising liner that Cleveland Indians second baseman Bill Wambsganss caught. Wambsganss was able to double up the lead runner, Pete Kilduff, who was still running toward third, then tagged out Otto Miller, who had come down from first base. Mitchell is the only player in Major League history to hit into an unassisted triple play in a World Series. In his next at bat, Mitchell hit into a double play, making him responsible for five outs in two consecutive trips to the plate, another World Series record.[1]
Mitchell also has the distinction of being the last legal lefthanded spitball pitcher.
After being released from the majors after the 1932 season at age 41, he played several more years in the minors, including three years in the Pacific Coast League for the Mission Reds.[2]
Referencesedit
^Clarence Mitchell, SABR, Baseball Biography Project 2013-06-20 at the Wayback Machine
^Clarence Mitchell, SABR, Baseball Biography Project 2013-06-20 at the Wayback Machine
External linksedit
Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference
January 01, 1970
clarence, mitchell, baseball, clarence, elmer, mitchell, february, 1891, november, 1963, american, major, league, baseball, pitcher, clarence, mitchellpitcherborn, 1891, february, 1891franklin, nebraska, died, november, 1963, 1963, aged, grand, island, nebrask. Clarence Elmer Mitchell February 22 1891 November 6 1963 was an American Major League Baseball pitcher Clarence MitchellPitcherBorn 1891 02 22 February 22 1891Franklin Nebraska U S Died November 6 1963 1963 11 06 aged 72 Grand Island Nebraska U S Batted LeftThrew LeftMLB debutJune 2 1911 for the Detroit TigersLast MLB appearanceJune 21 1932 for the New York GiantsMLB statisticsWin loss record125 139Earned run average4 12Strikeouts543TeamsAs player Detroit Tigers 1911 Cincinnati Reds 1916 1917 Brooklyn Robins 1918 1922 Philadelphia Phillies 1923 1928 St Louis Cardinals 1928 1930 New York Giants 1930 1932 As coach New York Giants 1932 1933 Career highlights and awardsWorld Series champion 1933 Contents 1 Background 2 Records 3 References 4 External linksBackground editHe played in the majors from 1911 to 1932 for the Detroit Tigers Cincinnati Reds New York Giants Brooklyn Robins Philadelphia Phillies and St Louis Cardinals Mitchell was known for throwing the spitball and he was one of the 17 pitchers allowed to continue throwing the pitch after it was outlawed in 1920 He was a very good hitting pitcher in his 18 year major league career posting a 252 batting average 324 for 1287 with 138 runs 7 home runs 133 RBI and drawing 72 bases on balls He drove in 10 or more runs in six seasons with a season high of 28 in 1922 as a member of the Brooklyn Robins In 1919 he batted a career high 367 18 for 49 for Brooklyn He was also used in the outfield and at first base Records editOn October 10 1920 in Game 5 of the 1920 World Series Mitchell made history when with men on first and second and no outs he hit a rising liner that Cleveland Indians second baseman Bill Wambsganss caught Wambsganss was able to double up the lead runner Pete Kilduff who was still running toward third then tagged out Otto Miller who had come down from first base Mitchell is the only player in Major League history to hit into an unassisted triple play in a World Series In his next at bat Mitchell hit into a double play making him responsible for five outs in two consecutive trips to the plate another World Series record 1 Mitchell also has the distinction of being the last legal lefthanded spitball pitcher After being released from the majors after the 1932 season at age 41 he played several more years in the minors including three years in the Pacific Coast League for the Mission Reds 2 References edit Clarence Mitchell SABR Baseball Biography Project Archived 2013 06 20 at the Wayback Machine Clarence Mitchell SABR Baseball Biography Project Archived 2013 06 20 at the Wayback MachineExternal links editCareer statistics and player information from Baseball Reference Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Clarence Mitchell baseball amp oldid 1159085371, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
