Looking for info - Uncle played for Orioles in 1930s

[Jenner8675309]

Ok, I know this is pre-1954, but I thought someone might be of use here at the OH.

My great uncle, Sherwood MacKenzie pitched for the Chicago Cubs in the 1930s, but his career ended quickly when he suffered an injury fielding a ball. He slipped coming off the mound and damaged his knee. I know he also played for the Frederick Hustlers, presumably in the 30s as well.

Sadly, he passed away many, many years ago without talking much about his ball days. Guess it was too sad. My father came across this photo of him in an Orioles uniform. Photo is obviously in the 30s as well. Info on the International League Os is so hard to find, does anyone have any place they could point me to? If anyone can be of any help that would be awesome

[blueberryale77]

I would try contacting the Babe Ruth Museum. I did an oral history project on the Negro Leagues way back in 8th grade and they put me in touch with a couple of very knowledgeable local baseball historians who I could interview for my project.

[Boy Howdy]

I'm a member of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), and while Dominican baseball is my focus, I'm amazed every day by the depth of information other members acquire in their respective areas of interest.

There's sure to be somebody with a world of knowedge concerning Sherwood MacKenzie's stats and teams.

I've sent a query to their e-mail list for you. I'll let you know what turns up.

[Boy Howdy]

SABR is so great. I can't recommend enough that all of you look into a membership.

Rod Nelson just sent me a reply from SABR member Pat Doyle, who's compiled an extensive database of minor league statistics.

Sherwood MacKenzie stats:

1935 @ Thomasville (Georgia-Florida League - class D) 9-12 as a pitcher, hit .289 with one home run

1936 @ Thomasville: Batted .315 with 1 homer and 8 RBI

1936 @ Savannah (South Atlantic League - class B) no stats available

1937 @ South Boston - Mount Airy (Bi-State League - class D) batted .160 0 HR 0 RBI

1937 @ Thomasville : 3-3, 3.42 on mound & .288 1hr 40 rbi at plate

1938 @ Thomasville: 4-0, 4.73 on mound & .307 2hr 89 rbi at plate

1939 @ Thomasville: 0-0, 0.00 on mound & .303 6hr 75 rbi at plate

1940 @ Thomasville: .378 4hr 97 rbi at plate

1940 @ Macon (South Atlantic Lg): .339 1hr 16rbi

1941 @ Portsmouth (Piedmont League - class B) .272 1hr 48 rbi

Looks like he could really hit!

[Jenner8675309]

Hey aweome!!!

Yeah, I had heard he was a hitting pitcher, its awesome to see his stats!!!

You rock, thanks sooo much!

[Boy Howdy]

Jenner-

I don't know if you'll want to know this or not, but I looked into the Georgia-Florida League team your great uncle played for.

From 1935-1939, they were called the Thomasville Orioles.

That explains the uniform in the photo at least.

Check out this team picture from 1938-39. Maybe he's in it?

http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/cgi-bin/v...3Atho265&_cc=1

[Jenner8675309]

Hey, its cool no matter what. I'm loving finding out all this info.


Seriously, thanks so much.

[Dunedain]

Boom Boom Dixon: Do you know of a link for a team photo of the Thomasville Orioles after the one you posted? I mean the next team photo taken after that one, a photo for the 1939 season.

Thanks for any info.

[mikezpen]

The Central Pratt Library in Baltimore City used to have actual newspapers that went back that far. In fact, I once had a 1934 Sunday Sun with all the International League batting averages. The O's had some dude named Buzz Arlett who was a real monster. Anyway, I imagine the Library has those papers on microfiche or stored in some other way now.

[DrungoHazewood]

Since this post first came up the SABR minor league database has taken several leaps forward, and is now part of baseball-reference.com.

Sherwood McKenzie's page is here. Compiling old minor league stats is still (and probably will always be) a work in progress, but you can get a fair amount of detail about his career.