Clarke, one of the first Canadian players to have an extended stay in the majors, was a highly rated defensive catcher hampered by arm problems. The Tigers' Germany Schaefer exploited Clarke's shortcoming in a tie game against Cleveland. Knowing the sore-armed catcher would have trouble throwing, Schaefer stole second, thinking the runner on third could score. When Clarke refused to throw, Schaefer "stole first base" and then, stealing second again, drew an errant throw from Clarke as the winning run scored. (JK)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»June 15, 1902: Corsicana (Texas League) shows no mercy in beating Texarkana, 51-3. Due to Sunday laws forbidding baseball, the game is shifted to a smaller park in Ennis, where the RF fence is only about 210'. The team's 53 hits include 21 HRs, mostly over the short RF fence. Nig Clarke, later to play in the ML, is perfect going 8-for-8-all home runs, collecting 16 RBIs and 32 total bases, all organized baseball records. Clarke is a switch-hitter but bats lefty against a righty pitcher, who is not one of the regular players but the son of part-owner C. B. DeWitt. Allegedly, at the urging of the crowd, the Texarcana pitchers lay it in for Nig in his last three at bats. He collects $185 from the appreciative fans. Two others are 8-for-8, including 2B William Alexander who has three home runs and a double. Manager Michael O'Conner is 7-for-8 with three HRs. Corsicana still strands 15 runners while scoring in every inning. Despite leading 17-1 after three innings, Corsicana steals five bases and "as was the custom of the day, took their last at bats even though they were the home team." They score eight more times in the final inning. The game is detailed in "The Man Who Stole First Base" by Eric Nadel & Craig R. Wright.
»August 1, 1905:
Cleveland "loans" catcher Nig Clarke to Detroit. He'll be returned to Cleveland, August 11. He's the 3rd catcher this year to be sold, then returned to his original team.
»September 28, 1911: A scant few hundred fans see the worst game in American League history as the Highlanders trounce the Browns 18–12. The teams accumulate 29 hits, 20 walks, and 12 errors. New York scores in each of seven innings, steals a record 15 bases—7 off C Jim Stephens in two innings, eight off Nig Clarke. Hal Chase and Birdie Cree lead the thieves with four steals each. Five Highlanders runners are thrown out.
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