Cliff Curtis (baseball)

For the actor, see Cliff Curtis.
Cliff Curtis

Pitcher
Born: July 3, 1881(1881-07-03)
Delaware, Ohio
Died: April 23, 1943(1943-04-23) (aged 61)
Utica, Ohio
Batted: Right Threw: Right 
MLB debut
August 23, 1909 for the Boston Doves
Last MLB appearance
August 16, 1913 for the Brooklyn Dodgers
Career statistics
Win-loss record     28-61
Earned run average     3.31
Strikeouts     236
Teams

Clifton Garfield Curtis (July 3, 1881 in Delaware, Ohio – April 23, 1943 in Utica, Ohio) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. His middle name, Garfield, is assumed to derive from that of U.S. president and fellow Ohio native James A. Garfield, who was fatally shot the day before Curtis was born.

Curtis had an extensive minor league pitching career, winning 151 games in the minors between 1902 and 1918.[1] His major league career lasted from 1909–1913, where he never had a winning season.

While pitching for the last-place Boston Doves (later known as the Rustlers, and later still as the Braves) in 1910 and 1911, Curtis set a record of 23 consecutive losses.[2] The record was eventually broken in 1993, when New York Mets pitcher Anthony Young lost 27 consecutive games in which he had a decision.[3]

During his lengthy losing streak, Curtis also failed to pick up a win in 28 consecutive starts, which also established a Major League record. This record was tied by Matt Keough (1978–79) and Jo-Jo Reyes (2008–2011), but to date it has not been broken.[4][5]

After his baseball career ended, he became a well-known amateur bowler in and around the Utica, Ohio area, and was a Ford Dealer in Utica for 20 years.[6] He died from a heart attack aged 61.[7]

References

  1. ^ http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=curtis001cli
  2. ^ http://www.brainyhistory.com/events/1911/may_22_1911_74168.html
  3. ^ http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/features/flashbacks/07_28_1993.stm
  4. ^ Kepner, Tyler (May 25, 2011). "Hapless but Not Hopeless, Blue Jays’ Reyes Carries On". The New York Times: p. B11. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5ywrZ3Czn. 
  5. ^ "Jo-Jo Reyes equals winless start record". ESPN.com. May 25, 2011. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5yxHV5KrH. 
  6. ^ http://minorleagueresearcher.blogspot.com/2006_06_01_archive.html
  7. ^ Lee, Bill (2005). The Baseball Necrology. McFarland. pp. 91. ISBN 978-0-7864-4239-3. 

External links