Phil Douglas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Phillip Brooks Douglas was an American baseball player born on June 17, 1890 in Cedartown, Georgia. He originally signed with the Chicago White Sox in 1912, but soon landed with the Cincinnati Reds. In 1915, he was traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers, then to the Chicago Cubs. He was a talented pitcher, but unfortunately drank too much.
In 1919, he was signed by the New York Giants. John McGraw had some luck in keeping Douglas' drinking under control. In 1920, had a 14-10 record and outstanding 2.71 ERA. Following the season, the spitball was banned but nine players, including Douglas, were allowed to continue using the pitch.
Douglas's best year was in 1921, when he won 15 games in the regular season with an ERA of 2.08. He then won two games in the 1921 World Series to help earn the Giants a world championship.
In 1922, he was performing well on the field with eleven wins and a league leading 2.63 ERA. After a quarrel with Douglas, McGraw suspended Douglas and fined him $100.
Shortly after he was suspended and while drunk, Douglas sent the following letter to Les Mann of the St. Louis Cardinals:
I want to leave here but I want some inducement. I don't want this guy to win the pennant and I feel if I stay here I will win it for him. If you want to send a man over here with the goods, I will leave for home on next train. I will go down to fishing camp and stay there.
The letter found its way to Kenesaw Mountain Landis. Landis banned Douglas from baseball for life.
On August 1, 1952, Douglas died in Sequatchie, Tennessee, and was buried in Tracy City, Tennessee.
