Frank Kitson (baseball)

Frank Kitson

Pitcher
Born: September 11, 1869(1869-09-11)
Hopkins, Michigan
Died: April 14, 1930(1930-04-14) (aged 60)
Allegan, Michigan
Batted: Left Threw: Right 
MLB debut
May 19, 1898 for the Baltimore Orioles
Last MLB appearance
July 22, 1907 for the New York Highlanders
Career statistics
Win-Loss Record     128-117
Earned run average     3.18
Strikeouts     729
Teams
Career highlights and awards
  • Among National League leaders in 1899 in ERA, Wins, and Win Percentage

Frank R. Kitson (September 11, 1869 – April 14, 1930) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played ten seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, Brooklyn Superbas, Detroit Tigers, Washington Senators, and New York Highlanders.

Born in Hopkins, Michigan, Kitson's major league career got off to a roller coaster start. In his first start on May 19, 1898, he shut out the Pittsburgh Pirates. Six days later, the Cubs scored 20 runs off Kitson; the game was called after 7 innings with the Cubs ahead 20-4.

Kitson won 15 or more games for five straight years from 1899–1903, including 22 wins with the Baltimore Orioles in 1899. In 1899, he was among the National League leaders in ERA (2.77), wins (22), winning percentage (.636), and complete games (34).

Kitson was one of the top left-handed pitchers at the turn of the century. After winning 22 games for the Orioles, he had consecutive 19-win seasons for Brooklyn in 1901 and 1902. In 1903, he jumped to the American League, where he did not have as much success.

Born in Hopkins, Michigan, he led the National League in saves in 1900 with 4. In 249 career games, Kitson posted a 128-117 won-loss record with a 3.18 ERA.

He died at age 60 in 1930 in Allegan, Michigan and was interred in Hudson Corners Cemetery.

See also

External links