Corridon is one of several who claim to have originated the spitball. With the International
League Providence Grays, Corridon discovered that a ball which had landed in a puddle
and was wet on one side did odd things when he threw it. A teammate suggested he
wet the ball during games, and Corridon went on to have a respectable ML career.
(JK)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»April 11, 1907: On a cold day in New York, the Giants open against the Phillies before 16,000. A late snowstorm had to be cleared, but there are large piles of snow surrounding the field. In the 8th inning, with Frank Corridon pitching a one-hit 3-0 shutout over the Giants when fans, who have been pelting the players with snowballs, begin jumping from the stands and running around the outfield. There are no police on duty at the park, as required by the league, so umpire Bill Klem, in his ML debut, forfeits the game to the Phils. Seymour has the only hit for New York. New York C Roger Bresnahan appears wearing shin guards for the first time in a ML game, although the Phils' Red Dooin had worn papier-mâché guards under his stockings in 1906 while catching and at bat. It will be a few years before detachable guards are adopted by all catchers.
»September 2, 1908: In Philadelphia, Frank Corridon goes all the way to defeat Brooklyn, 2-1, in 17 innings. Corridon does not walk a batter.
»October 1, 1908:
With one days' rest, Christy Mathewson pitches the first of two game, outlasting Frank Corridon, 4–3. Matty is peppered for 10 hits, but allows no runs after the 5th. It is Mathewson's 37th win of the year. The Phils take the 2nd game 6–2, but New York is still in 1st place.
»August 23, 1910:
At St. Louis, Frank Corridon outpitches Christy Mathewson for a 4–1 Cardinals win. The Cards tag Matty for 11 hits. New York is three 1/2 games behind 2nd-place Pittsburgh.
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