Hot-tempered George Stovall played more games at first base for the Indians than
anyone but Hal Trosky. His fine scoop of third baseman Bill Bradley's low throw saved,
and ended, Addie Joss's perfect game in 1908. The Cleveland captain engineered a
one-day "strike" in 1911 so the team could attend Joss's funeral in Toledo. Popular
with the players, Stovall became Cleveland manager 17 games into the 1911 season,
but was sold in January to the Browns, managing them from June 1912 until late in
1913. Stovall was the first star to join the Federal League, and convinced others
to follow. He later was president of the Association of Professional Ball Players
of America. His brother, pitcher Jesse Stovall, compiled an 8-14 record with the
Indians and Tigers in 1903 and 1904.
(ME)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»October 7, 1904:
George Stovall of Cleveland hits his first HR, and it comes off his older brother Jesse Stovall, pitching for Detroit in his last game. It marks the first time one brother gives up a HR to another, a feat which will be duplicated by the Ferrells in 1933, and the Niekros in 1976.
»May 14, 1911: More than 15,000 turn out for Cleveland's first Sunday game, and they see a 14–3 win over the New York Highlanders. George Stovall paces Cleveland with four hits.
»August 7, 1912: Browns manager-1B George Stovall makes seven assists, topping Willard Brown's record of six in a game for Louisville in 1893.
»November 2, 1913: Former St. Louis Browns manager George Stovall is the first ML player to jump to the Federal League, signing to manage Kansas City. With glib salesman Jim Gilmore as its president, and backed by several millionaires, including oil magnate Harry Sinclair and Brooklyn baker Robert Ward, the Feds declare open war two weeks later by announcing they will not honor the ML's reserve clause. It will prove a long, costly struggle, similar to the American League's beginnings, but with more losers than winners.
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