Harry "Klondike" Kane
A minor-league pitching star at the turn of the 20th Century, Kane's big-league career was truncated by illness. In the majors, Kane went 2-7 in 15 games. In the South Atlantic League, he once tossed two no-hitters and two one-hitters within a two-week period! He later became an umpire in the Texas League, and -- ironically enough -- never missed an assignment in nine seasons.
Birth and Death Dates:
b. July 27, 1883 - d. September 15, 1932
Career Highlights:
Born in Arkansas, Kane was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1900 when he was only a teenager. He played professionally with Denver, Friar's Point (Mississippi), and Springfield (Missouri) over the next two years -- he won 20 of 21 games with three no-hitters at Springfield in 1902.
That same season, Kane made his major league debut. Nicknamed "Klondike" (the reason is unknown), Harry pitched in only four games, making one start. The following year, he returned to Springfield and again pitched three no-hitters. He returned to the majors and appeared in three games for the Detroit Tigers.
Kane spent the entire 1904 season in the minors and pitched 52 consecutive scoreless innings with Clarksdale. In 1905, he then pitched two games for the Philadelphia Phillies and posted an impressive 1.59 ERA and hurled a shutout. He then pitched in six more games with the Phillies in 1906 before retiring. During his major-league career, he made one one fielding error.
It was during the 1906 season that Kane became an umpire in the minor leagues. Over the next 26 years, he became a successful and popular umpire in the Southern leagues. In 1931, he began working in the Pacific Coast League. The following year, he collapsed during a game in Portland, the victim of a heart attack. He died two days later.
Career Dates:
Kane pitched for the St. Louis Browns in 1902, the Detroit Tigers in 1903, and the Philadelphia Phillies in 1905-06.
Position:
Pitcher
Physical description:
Left-handed
Career Statistics:
Wins: 2
Losses: 7
Winning pct.: .222
ERA: 4.81
Games: 15
Games Started: 9
Complete Games: 7
Innings Pitched: 86
Hits Allowed: 100
Bases-on-Balls: 50
Strike Outs: 43
Shut-outs: 1
Relief Pitching
Wins: 1
Losses: 1
Saves: 0
Batting
At-bats: 30
Hits: 3
Home Runs: 0
Batting Average: .100
Fielding Statistics
Put-outs: 4
Assists: 20
Errors: 1
Double Plays: 0
Total Chances per Game: 1.7
Fielding avg: .960