Biography Nick Altrock

police protect nick altrock crowds after pitching 4 hitter during game 1 of 1906 world series. notice on infield, common practice fans walk on field after game.

an arm injury after 1906 ruined career, hung on white sox , washington senators until 1924, though pitched little after 1908 , made sporadic pinch-hitting appearances after that, including 1 in 1933 (facing rube walberg of philadelphia athletics) @ 57 years of age. appeared in major league games in 5 decades, 1 of 2 players (minnie miñoso other); 1 of 29 players in baseball history have appeared in major league games in 4 decades.

altrock became coach senators in 1912 , remained on washington staff through 1953, 42-year skein represents longest consecutive-year tenure of coach same franchise in baseball history. senator scorecards continued list altrock coach emeritus after formal retirement.

during time, noted antics in coaching box , teamed al schacht, clown prince of baseball , dozen years perform comedy routines on baseball fields in days before official mascots. schacht , altrock took antics vaudeville stage appeared in comedy routine. ironically, @ height of collaboration, schacht , altrock developed deep personal animosity , stopped speaking each other off field. during famous comic re-enactments of dempsey–tunney championship boxing match, many speculated pulled no punches rained blows on each other.

an anecdote, apocryphal, has been printed in baseball books quip altrock during coaching days senators. batter had hit ball stands , not known whether fair or foul. umpire, had been target of altrock s gibes, made call , shortly afterward woman carried stands on litter. umpire asked altrock if ball had hit woman. in clear voice, nick answered, no. called 1 right , passed out shock.

he second oldest position player ever play major league baseball when played last season in 1933.

altrock died @ age 88 in washington, d.c. in 1965. interred @ vine street hill cemetery in cincinnati.