Ayers earned his nickname by studying medicine. As a ballplayer, he spread germs
through the AL as a spitball pitcher. His best year was 14-9 with the 1915 Senators.
He was one of the pitchers given special dispensation to continue throwing the spitter
after it was banned following the 1919 season.
(JK)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»September 8, 1917:
The Yankees trade shutouts with the Senators, winning 2–0 before losing, 5–0. Doc Ayers wins the nitecap, his 2nd shut out in a row over the Yankees and the third time he's beaten them in eight days. Nick Cullop takes the loss for New York. In the opening game, Ray Caldwell fires his only shut out of the year.
»October 2, 1917: At Boston, the Red Sox and Senators divide a doubleheader, Washington winning 9–7 in 10 innings, then losing 2–1 in eight innings. Howard Shanks has four of the 15 Nats hits off Dutch Leonard in the first game as Doc Ayers wins in relief. Ayers and Carl Mays, both after bonus money, duel in the 2nd game, with Mays emerging the richer.
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