Spitballer Quinn pitched for eight teams in three major leagues during four different
decades and made his final ML appearance at age 50. One of the major league pitchers
allowed to continue using the spitter after the pitch was outlawed in 1920, Quinn
was effective as both a starter and reliever. He helped pitch the Yankees to their
first pennant in 1921 and aided the A's to two successive flags in 1929-30. His best
and worst seasons were in the
Federal League: 26 wins in 1914 and 22 losses the following
year. On three occasions he won 18, including an 18-7 mark and 2.90 ERA with the
1928 A's at age 45.
Always vague about his birth date, Quinn set records as the
LN
x
x
oldest player to win a ML game (49), start a WS game (46), finish a WS
game (47), and lead in a major pitching category (49) with six saves in 1932. He
is also the oldest player to hit a home run (47). He was the teammate of 31 Hall
of Famers.
(JL)
Jack Quinn
