ONEMOREINNING
FORGOTTEN
PLAYERS:PART
TWO
Anybody
can throw a runner out stealing
..I like to pick
em off first base while
theyre
hanging around down there counting their
money Nig
Clarke
When
Nig Clarke died in 1941 it was duly noted that he had been an average ballplayer
who hadnt really made waves while playing Major League ball.
Ah,
but that was in the Majors! While in the Minors though
he accomplished something that has never been equaled since. His claim
to fame is ranked as the second greatest feat in the history of the Minors.
The first being Ron Neccais perfect game
in which he struck out every batter he faced
..27 men went down
that day. Nig Clarke, on June 15th 1902, while playing with Corsicana
of the Texas League and not known as a power hitter, smacked eight homeruns
in a 51 to 3 rout as Corsicana destroyed Texarkana. All in all
In
those days when everyone playing in the game was pretty much from
In
the majors he did have some moments in baseball history. He caught the fourth
perfect game (Addie Joss). He is credited for championing the use of shin
guards for catchers (the creation of Roger
Peckinpaugh).
He
was born John Justin Clarke. Where did the NIG come from? Well,
it was a different time then, and since he was dark
complected and had a swarthy looking
face
Perhaps
he would have lasted longer in the Majors but constant arm problems cut his
career to a total of 506 games. He was known as a fine defensive catcher
and when healthy a threat to runners on base.
Because
of the injuries he was traded quite often. The
Hi
lifetime statistics in the Major Leagues include a batting average of ..254,
six homeruns, and a paltry 127 runs batted in
.but so what
..how
many people can claim they hit eight homeruns in one game?