| Buttercup Dickerson | |
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| Outfielder | |
| Born: October 11, 1858 Tyaskin, Maryland |
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| Died: July 23, 1920 (aged 62) Baltimore, Maryland |
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| Batted: Left | Threw: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| July 15, 1878 for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 1, 1885 for the Buffalo Bisons | |
| Career statistics | |
| Batting average | .284 |
| Hits | 500 |
| Runs scored | 302 |
| Teams | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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Lewis Pessano Dickerson (October 11, 1858 - July 23, 1920) was a 19th century Major League Baseball outfielder. Born in Tyaskin, Maryland, he played a total of seven seasons in the majors, splitting time between eight teams in three different leagues.[1] He is credited as becoming the first Italian-American to play in the majors.[2]
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Dickerson began his career with the Cincinnati Reds in 1878 at the age of 19, and played 29 games in the outfield, but did not find himself a regular starting position until the following year. In 1879, he took over the regular left field job replacing Charley Jones, who had departed for the Boston Red Caps. That season proved to be his best season in the majors; he batted .294, drove in 57 runs, and his 14 triples led the league.[1]
Dickerson departed the team the next season, moving on to the Troy Trojans, where he played mainly in center field. He then relocated to the Worcester Ruby Legs later that same season and split time in center with Harry Stovey. In 1881, he moved over to left field and had a very productive season, batting .316. He wouldn't play in the majors again until 1883, when he changed teams once again, playing 85 games with the Pittsburg Alleghenys. His production went down significantly, and he hit just .249.[1]
The next two seasons, he spent travelling from team to team, four in total. Three of those team in the 1884 season alone. His best showing was with the St. Louis Maroons of the Union Association when he hit .365 in 46 games. In 1885, he played in 5 games for the Buffalo Bisons before his career came to an end.[1]
Dickerson died at the age of 61 in Baltimore, Maryland, and was interred at Loudon Park Cemetery.[3] In 1979, he was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.[2]
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