Engel's ML pitching career was ordinary, but it launched him into a baseball role
he filled joyously: minor league team owner. Starting in 1930, he was a one-man scouting
system and his Chattanooga team (Southern Association) was the top farm club for
the Senators. He became the most colorful baseball promoter of his time. He staged
elephant hunts, hired a female pitcher to strike out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in
an exhibition game, and gave away bizarre and valuable gifts, all to pack people
into his ball park.
(JK)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»June 20, 1913: After New York wins the opener, 9–3, Washington starter Bert Gallia hits three of the first four batters he faces in the first inning of the nitecap. Three more New York batters are plunked, by relievers Joe Engel (2) and Tom Hughes (1), for a record six. The outcome is the same as New York wins again, 9–3. New York leadoff hitter Bert Daniels puts his name in the record book when he gets hit three times.
»July 25, 1913: A 15-inning 8–8 tie game between St. Louis and the Nationals is called for darkness. Reliever Walter Johnson fans a major-league record 15 in the last 11 innings, but he hits rookie catcher Sam Agnew with a pitch, breaking his jaw. Browns P Carl Weilman sets a major-league record by striking out six times. He becomes the first player in history to strike out six consecutive times in a game, as Johnson gets him four times, and Joe Engel and Long Tom Hughes once each. Johnson's strikeout mark for relievers will last this century before another Johnson breaks it, in 2001.
»April 2, 1931:
Miss Jackie Mitchell, a 17-year-old gate attraction
for Joe Engel's Chattanooga Lookouts (Southern Association),
pitches against the New York Yankees in an exhibition
game in Chattanooga. Babe Ruth waves wildly at 2 pitches
and watches a 3rd strike go by. Lou Gehrig gallantly
times his 3 swings to miss the ball, but unsmiling
Tony Lazzeri, after first trying to bunt, walks
and Miss Mitchell leaves the game. The final
score is 14-4 Yankees. In 1933 Mitchell will
pitch for the House of David team.
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