Released by the Browns as a catcher in 1902, Donahue held the Chicago first base
job for five seasons, three times leading the AL in fielding, 1905-1907. Though a
notoriously poor hitter, Jiggs was one of only three White Sox starters to bat over
.250 for the 1906 World Champion "Hitless Wonders," and paced all batters with a
.333 mark in the WS. In Detroit on May 31, 1908 the fancy fielder recorded 21 putouts
in a nine-inning game. Donahue contracted syphilis, and died in 1913. He was survived
by a brother, Pat, an AL catcher in the years 1908-10.
(RL)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»October 10, 1906: The Cubs jump on Doc White early, and run (5 SBs) to a 7-1 victory. The highlight of the game is Ed Reulbach's no-hit bid broken by Jiggs Donahue's single in the 7th. The next WS one-hitter will come in 1945, by another Cub-Claude Passeau.
»June 24, 1910:
In eight innings at home, Cubs 1B Art Hofman sets an NL record (and ties Jiggs Donahue's ML mark of 1907)
with no putouts. His only assist opportunity is fumbled for an error.
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