Skip to main content

Sunday School: Phillies History Lesson 77

Al Demaree was a right-handed pitcher with the Phillies from 1915-1916. His time with the Phillies was brief, but he helped snag the club's very first National League pennant. Demaree debuted as a rookie with the New York Giants in 1912 and played two more full seasons with the Giants, posting a 24-21 record in that time.

Following the 1914 season, Phils manager Pat Moran vowed to make changes and Demaree was among a group of three players that Philadelphia acquired for third baseman Hans Lobert.

Demaree made a fast impact in 1915 when he shut out his former team 3-0 in his Phillies debut. However, Demaree left people doubting the trade when he strung together 6 losses in his next 6 starts. The poor stretch resulted in Demaree being pulled from the starting rotation. By early July, he got another shot at starting and again shut down the Giants, this time 1-0. Demaree won 5 of his next 6 starts. In mid-August, he would throw his 3rd shutout of the season against Boston.

Demaree ended the 1915 regular season with a 14-11 record and a 3.05 ERA, but did not pitch in the World Series for the Phillies against the Red Sox.

1916 would be the best season of Demaree's career as he posted a 19-11 record and a 2.62 ERA in 39 games (35 starts). He continued to perform extremely well against his former team, as he won his first 2 starts of the season against the Giants and 6 of 8 starts overall against them that season.

On September 20, 1916, Demaree pitched both games of a double header against Pittsburgh, winning 7-0 and 3-2. The Phillies would finish in second place that year, 2 1/2 games behind the Dodgers.

In April 1917, Demaree was traded to the Cubs for pitcher Jimmy Lavendar and cash. It is possible the Phillies sensed that Demaree's best days on the mound were behind him as he posted just a 23-26 record in his remaining 3 years in the Major Leagues.

After his playing career was through, in 1919, Demaree worked as a sports cartoonist. His work was syndicated in more than 200 daily news papers as well as The Sporting News. He also illustrated for trading cards. He helped produce die cut cards that featured black & white player portraits on cartoon bodies that still remain some of the most rare and valuable cards from the 1930's.
___________________________________________________


For updates and unique stats, follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Caption This....

Jayson Werth was hit by a pitch thrown by Jeff Bennett on Friday. This picture shows where the ball made contact with Werth. Drop YOUR caption in the comments area.

Who is Your Favorite Willie 'Mays' Hayes?

PhoulBallz.com is wondering which individual who has portrayed Willie "Mays" Hayes is the favorite of the public. Hayes, of course, is the character made famous in the Major League motion picture series. In Major League , Willie "Mays" Hayes was portrayed by budding Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes, who would go on to action movie superstardom. Snipes has starred in major motion pictures like the Blade trilogy, Passenger 57 , Undisputed and many more. Snipes remains an impact Hollywood actor, despite legal troubles related to income tax evasion. Snipes was replaced for the sequel, Major League II when his busy career, and possibly the film's budget, would not allow him to return, by Omar Epps. Another budding actor, Epps had previously worked with director David S. Ward, on the film The Program , and landed the role of Hayes, who had become a Hollywood action star over the off-season that occured between the two films. Epps' career portraying athletes rolle

Harry Kalas Phorever...

Legendary broadcaster Harry Kalas passed away today. Harry collapsed while preparing to call today's game against the Washington Nationals. So many phans will feel as though we've lost a member of our own families. I feel as though I've lost a part of myself, but Harry enhanced my love of the great sport we call baseball and I will always carry that love, and Harry, in my heart. I've stated on this page before that I consider Harry more of a Phillie than anyone who wears the uniform as an active member of the roster. Harry Kalas was a Phillie. Moreso, Harry Kalas was the Phillies. Please share your thoughts and memories of Harry in the comments section, or send them to PhoulBallz (at) verizon (dot) net.