| Red Ames | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: August 2, 1882 Warren, Ohio, U.S. | |
| Died: October 8, 1936(1936-10-08) (aged 54) Warren, Ohio, U.S. | |
Batted: Switch Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 14, 1903, for the New York Giants | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 15, 1919, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 183–167 |
| Earned run average | 2.63 |
| Strikeouts | 1,702 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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Leon Kessling "Red"Ames (August 2, 1882 – October 8, 1936) was an American professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) from 1903 to 1919 for theNew York Giants,Cincinnati Reds,St. Louis Cardinals, andPhiladelphia Phillies. Listed at 5 feet 10.5 inches (1.791 m) and 185 pounds (84 kg), he threw right-handed and was aswitch hitter.
Born inWarren, Ohio, Ames was a third or fourth starter for theNew York Giants during their early period of dominance underJohn McGraw. He made his debut on September 14, 1903, pitching an abbreviated five-inningno-hitter against theSt. Louis Cardinals (the game was called due to darkness),[1] but was not in the rotation full-time until 1905, when his 22wins and 2.74ERA helped the Giants to their first twentieth-century world championship. This was by far his best season; although the Giants were perennial contenders during this time, injury and wildness kept him from becoming a star even though he was theOpening Day pitcher three years running. A career ERA of 2.63 ties him withCy Young.
He pitched in threeWorld Series with the Giants (1905, 1911, 1912), but appeared almost entirely in relief in the fall classic, starting only once, the last game in 1911, which he lost decisively to the world championPhiladelphia Athletics. He was traded to the Reds in 1913, and never again approached his earlier success with the Giants.
Ames' greatest distinction was being one of the wildest pitchers in history with a curveball charitably described as "dramatic." Other of his notable accomplishments are leading theNational League insaves with six in 1914 and eight in 1916, and instrikeouts per nine innings pitched in 1905 (6.78), 1906 (6.90) and 1907 (5.63).
On Opening Day, April 15, 1909, he held theBrooklyn Superbas hitless for nine innings, but as neither team had scored,extra innings were required. Ames allowed a hit in the 10th inning, then went on to allow three runs in the 13th inning, as the Giants lost, 3–0.[2] Such efforts were originally recognized as no-hitters (as no hits were allowed through nine innings), but since 1991 are no longer recognized by Major League Baseball. This nonetheless remains the longest outing by a Giants starting pitcher on Opening Day.[3]
Ames,Lee Meadows andBill Doak were involved in a car accident on April 16, 1919, when the car they were in crashed into astreetcar in St. Louis. Initial reports indicated that none were seriously injured.[4]
After leaving the majors, Ames pitched in theminor leagues for three more years and managed briefly in the minors in 1923. His son, Leon Kessling "Red" Ames Jr., played for Ohio State in 1927 and then in the farm system of thePittsburgh Pirates for several years.