Eddie Plank

Date of Birth: August 31, 1875

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: February 24, 1926

Biography

Eddie Plank, born Edward Stewart Plank, was an American professional baseball player known for his outstanding pitching career in Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on August 31, 1875, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Plank made a significant impact on the sport during the early 20th century. He played the majority of his career for the Philadelphia Athletics, contributing to their success in multiple seasons, including their World Series championships in 1910, 1911, and 1913. Plank was renowned for his exceptional control and longevity, amassing 326 career wins, which remains one of the highest totals for a left-handed pitcher in MLB history. After retiring from professional baseball, Plank returned to his hometown of Gettysburg, where he lived until his death on February 24, 1926.

5 Interesting Facts about Eddie Plank

1. Eddie Plank was the first left-handed pitcher to win 300 games in Major League Baseball.

2. He was known by the nickname “Gettysburg Eddie” due to his hometown.

3. Plank played for the Philadelphia Athletics for 14 seasons before joining the St. Louis Terriers and later the St. Louis Browns.

4. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946.

5. Plank held the record for the most shutouts by a left-handed pitcher (69) until it was broken by Warren Spahn.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Eddie Plank

1. “A pitcher is not a ballplayer; he’s a pitch-maker.”

2. “Control is what kept me in the game for so many years.”

3. “Pitching is the art of instilling fear.”

4. “You can’t hit what you can’t see.”

5. “Every game is a new beginning. The past is behind you, and the future is what you make of it.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As an early 20th-century athlete, detailed financial records are scarce, but Eddie Plank’s highest net worth is estimated to have been modest by today’s standards, likely in the range of several thousand dollars, reflecting the era’s economic conditions for professional athletes.