Sam Agnew
From SoSH
| Born: | April 12, 1887 |
| Birthplace: | Farmington, MO |
| Hometown: | |
| Height: | 5 ' 1 |
| Weight: | 185 |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Right |
| Drafted: | |
| College: | |
| High School: | |
| Other Teams: | St. Louis Browns (1913-1915), Washington Senators (1919) |
| Years with Boston: | 1916-1918 |
Contents |
Overall Career
Sam Agnew played for the St. Louis Browns for three seasons before joining the Red Sox in 1916. He was valued more for his work behind the plate than his hitting skills. Never batted higher than .235 in any of his seven major league seasons. Finished with a line of .204/.265/.253 and a career OBP+ of 56, unimpressive even for the Deadball Era.
Agnew was a master at picking off runners, although his arms was sometimes wild and scattershot. He led all American League catchers in errors in 1913 and 1914.
On July 25, 1913, Senators pitcher Walter Johnson hit Agnew, then a rookie, in the face with a pitch, breaking his jaw.
He went 0-for-9 in the 1918 World Series.
Moments in the Sun
On June 30, 1916, during a brawl, Agnew punched Washington Senators manager Clark Griffith in the face and was arrested on the field. The brawl started after George McBride was hit by a pitch and threw his bat at Red Sox pitcher Carl Mays.
According to Mays, Griffith shoved Agnew and "Slam hauled back with that big fist of his and he hit Griffith a terrible smash to the face. ... It sounded just like a telephone pole snapping off. Blood flew all over the place ... [H]itting Griffith in Washington was just like hitting the President of the United States ... police poured out of the stands ... the paddy wagon came clanging onto the field" and the groundskeeper had Agnew arrested. After the game was over, Boston manager Bill Carrigan bailed Agnew out of jail. The matter was dropped and never reached court.
Trivia
Transactions
September 16, 1912: Drafted by the St. Louis Browns from Vernon (Pacific Coast League) in the 1912 rule V draft.
December 16, 1915: Purchased by the Boston Red Sox from the St. Louis Browns.
January 1919: Purchased by the Washington Senators from the Boston Red Sox.
External Links
- Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
