Books and articles about Dave Foutz

Chris Von der Ahe, bumptious owner of the American Association St. Louis Browns, acquired Foutz by buying the entire Bay City, MI franchise. Paired with Bob Caruthers, the slender, 6'2" Scissors pitched the Browns to American Association championships from 1885 to 1887. Parisian Bob contributed 99 wins in those three seasons, Foutz 98. Foutz won a league-leading 41 in 1886 (his third straight year with an over-.700 winning percentage), in 504 innings, and recorded 11 shutouts. In 1887 Foutz managed a mere 25 wins, but hit .357 in 65 games as an outfielder and first baseman, positions he played more frequently for the rest of his career.

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Cashing in on his investment, Von der Ahe sold his ace righthanders to Brooklyn in 1888 for $13,500. With the hard-hitting Foutz at first base, Brooklyn won the 1889 Association championship, switched to the National League, and won another pennant in 1890. Foutz pitched more in 1892, recording his last 13 wins. In 1893 he became a playing manager, but in four years never moved the team higher than fifth.

As a pitcher, Foutz's .690 winning percentage is the second-highest career mark (tied with Whitey Ford) among retired pitchers, just behind the .692 of Bob Caruthers. (ADS)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » July 4th, 1887: Dave Foutz of the Browns has a banner day at the plate, driving in 9 runs with 2 HRs and 5 hits in the afternoon game of a doubleheader against the Mets after having hit a HR in the morning game. St. Louis wins both 15-2 and 20­3. » August 14th, 1887: St. Louis P Dave Foutz suffers a broken thumb when hit by a line drive. When he eventually returns to pitching, he will be ineffective. » July 6th, 1888: The Brooklyn AA team, led by former Browns Bob Caruthers, Dave Foutz, and Doc Bushong, makes its first appearance of the series in St. Louis and is feted with a parade to the ballpark. The 3 pace the Bridegrooms to a 6-2 victory over the Browns to take over first place.