Athletes - Deacon Phillippe

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	Athletes - Deacon Phillippe

Charles Louis "Deacon" Phillippe (originally Phillippi) (May 23, 1872-March 30, 1952) was a turn-of-the-century pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Born in Rural Retreat, Virginia, Deacon first appeared in pro baseball with the National League's Louisville Colonels in 1899. He had a 21-17 record that year, which was highlighted by a no-hitter in just his seventh career game.

The Colonels disbanded after the season, before which owner Barney Dreyfuss shrewdly moved a number of Louisville players, including Deacon, to the Pirates, a team he co-owned. Phillippe won 20 games for four straight seasons as the Pirates won three straight National League titles between 1901 and 1903.

Phillippe has the honor of starting (and winning) the first World Series game in 1903, beating Cy Young to start a best-of-9 series with the Boston Pilgrims. Phillippe single-handedly guided the Pirates to a 3-1 series lead, earning the wins in each game, but when Phillippe's arm was worn down due to overuse, the Pilgrims came back to win the series 5 games to 3, with Phillippe losing the last two.

He missed half of 1904 due to a sore arm, before winning 20 for a 6th time in 1905. His years as an ace ended in 1908, when he suffered from another sore arm and missed nearly the entire season.

Phillippe returned in 1909 to play a bit role on a Pirate team which went 110-42. In 1910, he was primarily used as a relief pitcher and had a 14-2 record. He retired after the 1911 season after making only 3 appearances that year.

Phillippe was widely renowned for his control. No pitcher who has debuted since 1893 (when the pitching mound was moved to its present distance of 60 feet and 6 inches away from home plate) has averaged fewer walks per nine innings than Phillippe.

Trivia

Deacon is a distant relative of actor Ryan Phillippe. He named his first son Deacon in honor of the pitcher in 2003.

Athletes - Deacon Phillippe

Trivia

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