Al Pratt (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Al Pratt |
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| Pitcher / Outfielder | |||
| Born: November 19, 1847 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
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| Died: November 21, 1937 (aged 90) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
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| debut | |||
| May 4, 1871, for the Cleveland Forest Citys | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| August 19, 1872, for the Cleveland Forest Citys | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 12-26 | ||
| Earned run average | 4.41 | ||
| Strikeouts | 41 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Albert G. Pratt (born November 19, 1847 – died November 21, 1937) was an American baseball player. People often called him "Uncle Al." He was a right-handed pitcher and outfielder.
Pratt played for the Cleveland Forest Citys in the early days of professional baseball. Later, he became a manager for the Pittsburgh Alleghenys. This team eventually became the famous Pittsburgh Pirates.
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Early Life and Baseball Career
Al Pratt was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was a veteran of the American Civil War. After serving his country, he became a baseball player.
Playing Days with Cleveland
Pratt was 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed about 140 pounds. As a pitcher, he won 12 games and lost 26 in 43 professional games. He also played as an outfielder.
In 1871 and 1872, he played 45 games for the Cleveland Forest Citys. He was a good hitter, with a batting average of .262 in 1871 and .277 in 1872. In total, he had 52 hits during those two years.
The First Professional League
In 1868, Pratt managed a baseball team in Portsmouth, Ohio. After that, he joined the Forest City Club of Cleveland. This team was part of the Professional League of Baseball Players. This league was very important because it was the first professional baseball league in America.
Founding the Pittsburgh Alleghenys
In 1880, Al Pratt did something very special for baseball in Pittsburgh. He founded the first major league baseball team in the city. This team was called the Alleghenys.
The Alleghenys joined a league called the American Association. Later, this team changed its name and became the Pittsburgh Pirates. This means Al Pratt helped start the team that many fans cheer for today!
Later Life and Legacy
Al Pratt lived a long life. He celebrated his 90th birthday just two days before he passed away. He died in Pittsburgh on November 21, 1937.
Pratt had a special request for his burial. He wanted to be buried wearing his uniform from the Grand Army of the Republic. This was a group for soldiers who fought in the Civil War. It showed how proud he was of his service.
