Sports History

Born August 12, 1892, in Harvel, Illinois, was Baseball Hall of Fame Catcher, Ray Schalk. in Major League Baseball for 18 seasons, from 1912 to 1929. He played for the Chicago White Sox for most of his career, and also spent one season with the New York Giants.

Schalk was a master of the defensive side of the game. To his credit he was able to handle pitchers and many times made them have better performances on the mound. He led the American League in fielding percentage eight times and putouts nine times. He was also credited with catching four no-hitters, though one of those was later taken away.

Schalk was not a power hitter, but he was a reliable contact hitter. He had a career batting average of .253, with 11 home runs and 594 RBIs. He was also a good base runner, stealing 177 bases in his career.

Schalk was a key member of the White Sox teams that won the World Series in 1917 and 1919. He was also a player-manager for the White Sox in 1927 and 1928.

Ray Schalk's career highlights:

-Led the American League in fielding percentage eight times (1913, 1914, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1920, 1921, and 1925)
-Led the American League in putouts nine times (1913, 1914, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1920, 1921, 1923, and 1925)
-Caught four no-hitters (one was later taken away)
-Won two World Series championships (1917 and 1919)
-Played in 1,762 games
-Batted .253 with 11 home runs and 594 RBIs
-Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955

The ThisDayinBaseball.com website provides dozens of June 14 events including these gems:
1876 - George Hall and Ezra Sutton both have 3 triples.
1913 - Ray Schalk hits his first career home run off HOF Walter Johnson.
1963 - Duke Snider hits 400th home run.
1965 - Reds starter Jim Maloney, who strikes out 18 batters, no-hits the Mets for ten innings, but loses 1-0.
1969 - Reggie Jackson of the Oakland Athletics collects 10 RBI. This guy could be good.
1996 - Cal Ripken, Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles breaks the world record for the most consecutive games played.

The This Day in Baseball crew cover the history of the game for May 11 with clips about Cy Young, Duke Farrell, Walter Johnson, Ray Schalk, Minnie Minuso, Willie Mays, Tom Seaver, Pete Rose, Jay Bell, and more. MLB May 11