Jack Pfiester

Jack Pfiester
Pitcher
Born: (1878-05-24)May 24, 1878 Cincinnati
Died: Loveland, Ohio
Batted: Right Threw: Left
MLB debut
September 8, 1903, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Last MLB appearance
May 10, 1911, for the Chicago Cubs
MLB statistics
Pitching Record	71-44
Earned run average	2.02
Strikeouts	503
Teams
Pittsburgh Pirates (1903–1904) Chicago Cubs (1906–1911)
Career highlights and awards
2× World Series champion (1907, 1908) NL ERA leader (1907)

John (Jack) Albert Pfiester (May 24, 1878 in Cincinnati, Ohio – September 3, 1953), is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1903 to 1911.

Pfiester finished with a 1.51 ERA in 1906 (one of the best rookie seasons by any pitcher since), and a 1.15 ERA in 1907. His career ERA is 2.02, 3rd lowest among pitchers with 1,000+ innings thrown, and he had a .617 winning percentage. On September 23, 1908 against the New York Giants he pitched a complete game, allowing five hits, all with a dislocated tendon in his pitching forearm. He had to be assisted off the field a few times after throwing curve balls. And as soon as the game ended he went to Ohio to be treated, his tendon snapped back into place by trainer Bonesetter Reese.

Although Bonesetter got Pfiester throwing again, it would prove to be only a matter of time before the wear and tear got to Pfiester. In 1909, Pfiester posted 17 wins and a 2.43 ERA in his last full season. Over the next two years he would make 20 more appearances as a major league pitcher, and by the age of 33 he was done. After Pfiester's playing career ended, he and his wife settled in Ohio with their son, Jack Jr. Pfiester died in Loveland, Ohio, at the age of 75.

Pfiester was the starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs in Game 3 of the 1908 World Series, the team's last championship to date. He was also the winning pitcher of Game 2 of the 1907 World Series.

See also

• List of Major League Baseball ERA champions

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
  

  Pfiester in game 3 of the 1906 World Series.