Sam Dodge
PositionPitcher
BatsRight
ThrowsRight
Birth dateDecember 19, 1899
Birth placeNeath, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Death dateApril 5, 1966 (aged 66)
Death placeUtica, New York, U.S.
DebutleagueMLB
DebutdateSeptember 24
Debutyear1921
DebutteamBoston Red Sox
FinalleagueMLB
FinaldateApril 28
Finalyear1922
FinalteamBoston Red Sox
StatleagueMLB
Stat1labelInnings pitched
Stat1value7
Stat2labelEarned run average
Stat2value5.14
Stat3labelStrikeouts
Stat3value3
Teams

Samuel Edward Dodge (December 19, 1899 – April 5, 1966) was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played between 1921 and 1922 for the Boston Red Sox. Listed at 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m), 170 lb, Dodge batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Neath, Pennsylvania, United States.

Dodge was raised and attended school in Johnson City, New York. He got his start pitching for an independent club in Johnson City where he was noticed by Mike Konnick[1] who was then catching for a team in Reading, Pennsylvania. Konnick recommended him to Red McKee, then managing the Saginaw, Michigan club of the Michigan–Ontario League. Dodge joined the club in April 1920.[2] After struggling to start the 1921 season, he was released to the Flint, Michigan club in July,[3] reportedly because he refused to continue pitching for Flint.[4] The Red Sox purchased his contract in September 1921 for what was reported to be a record price for the league.[1]

Dodge made his Major League debut on September 24, 1921. In one inning of work, he allowed a hit, base on balls and earned run to the St. Louis Browns. It would be his only appearance of the season.[5] He made the Red Sox roster to start the 1922 season.[6] After he accumulated a 4.50 earned run average (ERA) over three appearances in April, his contract was sold to the minor league Springfield Ponies. Manager Hugh Duffy reportedly thought highly of him but felt Dodge, then just 22 years old, would benefit more from getting regular work in the minors than from sitting on Boston's bench.[7] It was reported in The Flint Journal that Duffy had tried to convert Dodge into a knuckleballer during that spring which caused an injury to Dodge's pitching arm.[8] He would not return to the majors. Over seven innings pitched in four career games, he posted a 5.14 ERA with three strikeouts and no decisions.[5]

Dodge finished out the season in Springfield. He was suspended for a time due to poor conditioning and his performance declined.[9] He re-signed in Springfield to start the 1923 season but reported to the team late and in poor condition.[10] In May 1923, before he appeared in a game for Springfield, his contract was sold to the Grand Rapids team of the Michigan–Ontario League.[9] He pitched briefly for Grand Rapids[11] but, on June 2, 1923, he debuted with the Hamilton, Ontario club in the same league.[12]

By 1926, he was reportedly player-manager of a semi-professional team in Flint called the Lincoln Oils which made headlines for traveling to games by airplane.[13][14] In 1930 and 1931, he managed the semi-pro Owosso Chieftains.[15][16]

By 1932, he had left Michigan to return to the Southern Tier where he attempted to establish a semi-professional league.[17] In 1933, he coached a team in Kirkwood, New York.[18]

References

  1. ^ "Mike Konnick's Find Bought By Boston For Record Price". Elmira Star-Gazette. 2 September 1921. p. 9. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  2. ^ "Sam Dodge Will Leave Saturday". Press and Sun-Bulletin. 16 April 1920. p. 24. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  3. ^ "M'Kee Releases Four Ace Players". The Saginaw News. 3 June 1921. p. 24. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  4. ^ "Mint League Sold Over 20 Players". The Saginaw News. 29 September 1921. p. 16. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  5. ^ "Sam Dodge Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  6. ^ J. D. C. (12 April 1922). "Shufflin' Along in Sportville". Press and Sun-Bulletin. p. 22. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  7. ^ "Ponies Purchase Sam Dodge from Boston Red Sox". The Morning Union. 14 May 1922. p. 14. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  8. ^ "Flint Journal". The Hamilton Spectator. 8 June 1923. p. 30. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  9. ^ "Sam Dodge Is Purchased By Grand Rapids". The Morning Union. 13 May 1923. p. 13. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  10. ^ "Hampdens Will Meet Brooklyn Giants Friday". The Springfield Daily Republican. 18 April 1923. p. 14. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  11. ^ "Dodge and Grimm Prove Easy Meat". The Saginaw News. 20 May 1923. p. 26. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  12. ^ "Saturday Game Won By Hams–London Erred". The Hamilton Spectator. 4 June 1923. p. 16. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  13. ^ "Lincoln Oils Use Planes in Making Trips". Traverse City Record-Eagle. 7 July 1926. p. 6. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  14. ^ "Alma Independents Meet Lincoln Oils". The Saginaw News. 25 June 1926. p. 27. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  15. ^ "Plan Central Michigan Semi-Pro Ball League". Lansing State Journal. 17 December 1930. p. 19. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  16. ^ "Indiantown Plays Owosso Chieftains". The Saginaw News. 26 April 1931. p. 25. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  17. ^ "Baseball Loop for Section Proposed". The Evening Times. 9 February 1932. p. 7. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  18. ^ "Ex-Red Sox Pitcher Coaches Kirkwood Nine". Press and Sun-Bulletin. 9 May 1933. p. 13. Retrieved 10 January 2025.