Sunday School: History Lesson 23

George McQuillan was a pitcher with our Phillies from 1907-1910, and again from 1915-1916. McQuillan is best known for the record he set as a rookie that stood for over 100 years. McQuillan joined the Phillies in the final month of the 1907 season, after winning 13 games in the minors for Providence. He quickly won four of his first 5 starts, which included back to back shut outs of the Reds and Cubs. McQuillan's record of 25 consecutive scoreless innings to start a career was his main claim to fame. The record stood till 2008 when Athletics reliever Brad Ziegler eclipsed the mark.

The next season, McQuillan got off to another hot start, as he won 11 of his first 14 starts. His terrific performances were, at times, hampered by the Phillies' weak offensive outputs. In his first six losses that season, the Phillies scored just 1 total run. In mid-June, he lost 3 straight starts by identical scores of 1-0.

McQuillan's sudden success may have played a role in his impending alcohol abuse. News papers documented accounts of McQuillan "breaking training" at the time. In August 1908, his wife filed for divorce, and McQuillan was virtually a .500 pitcher for the remainder of the season.

McQuillan would spend that offseason playing winter ball in Cuba, though his team folded in mid-season. He returned to the U.S. broke and in poor health, having contracted syphilis and gained weight.

In 1909, McQuillan would make only one start in the first six weeks of the season. Unable to find his rhythm at times, he finished the season with a record of 13-16, which included 4 shutouts. In 1910, his record was 9-6 through 17 starts and he posted a National League low 1.60 ERA. Despite the sparkling ERA, the Phillies had grown frustrated with McQuillan's lack of reliability and alcoholism and he was traded to the Reds after the season.

McQuillan spent the next 3 years with Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, posting a 31-39 total record. McQuillan returned to the Phillies midway through the 1915 season when he was claimed off waivers. His record with the Phils was 5-10 en route to the Phillies first National League pennant.

To this day, McQuillan is still the Phillies all time leader in ERA (1.79) and WHIP (1.02).

Comments

Prospect Nation 2012: #1 RHP Trevor May

With a massively impressive campaign in 2011 for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, right-handed starting pitcher Trevor May locked down his spot as Philadelphia's top prospect and is on the fast track toward the big leagues. He is the reigning Paul Owens Award winner, given to the top pitcher and player in the Phillies' developmental system each year. In 27 starts with the Threshers in 2011, May posted a 10-8 record with a 3.63 ERA, while striking out a Florida State League leading 208 batters in 151 1/3 innings. He also held opposing hitters to a .221 average. The Phillies' 4th round draft pick from 2008, May earned the win in the 50th annual Florida State League All-Star Game at Bright House Field last year. He also was twice named FSL Pitcher of the Week and earned Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for June. After signing with Philadelphia, May helped lead the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies to a championship in 2008. In 5 regular

World Series Preview: Phillies vs. Astros

The Fall Classic is set to get underway on Friday with the Phillies opening on the road to take on the Astros in a best-of-seven series. This year marks 75 years since the first time a World Series was televised and this year each game will be broadcast on the FOX television network. ESPN will have the radio broadcast and that feed can be streamed by using this link . Game 1 Friday, 8:03pm Eastern....in Houston. RHP Aaron Nola (11-13, 3.25 ERA) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (18-4, 1.75 ERA). In 16 road starts during the regular season this year, Nola notched a 5-9 record with a 3.00 ERA. Nola has struck out 18 and walked three in 17 1/3 innings pitched this postseason. Earlier this month, Nola tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings at Houston. In 15 home starts during the regular season, Verlander sported a 10-1 record with a 1.64 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP. Verlander has a 5.68 ERA and has not recorded a win in seven career World Series starts. Verlander has 11 starts allowing one run or fewer in

Rappers in Phillies Caps

Weekend greetings to you phine pholks out there. Today's post features pictures of rappers wearing Phillies caps. Why rappers in Phillies caps, you ask? Because... Any other questions? We will start things off properly by going with a highly recognizable hip hop star. 50 Cent stays constantly relavant by consistantly creating radio friendly material to help sell (G) units, while he "keeps it real" by still rapping about the thug life he lived before becoming the 2nd highest earning black entertainer in America. 50 is seen here in a recent interview rocking a throw-back Phillies cap. Next up we'll use a throw-back screen cap from what may be the very first major appearance by a rapper wearing Phillies gear. Chuck D, of legendary rap group Public Enemy, wore a Phillies cap in the music video for rap anthem Fight The Power in 1989. The song was the lead single from the soundtrack for Spike Lee's film Do The Right Thing . Next up we'll go with some home grown tal

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog