Earl Blackburn Explained

Earl Blackburn
Position:Catcher
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Birth Date:1 November 1892
Birth Place:Leesville, Ohio
Death Place:Mansfield, Ohio
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:September 17
Debutyear:1912
Debutteam:Pittsburgh Pirates
Finalleague:MLB
Finaldate:April 15
Finalyear:1917
Finalteam:Chicago Cubs
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Batting average
Stat1value:.262
Stat2label:Home runs
Stat2value:0
Stat3label:Runs batted in
Stat3value:10
Teams:

Earl Stuart Blackburn (November 1, 1892 – August 3, 1966) was a right-handed catcher in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Braves, and Chicago Cubs from 1912 to 1917.

Blackburn made his debut with the Pirates on September 17, 1912, appearing in the field but not coming to bat. Strangely, he was traded to the Reds six days later and appeared in one game with Cincinnati before the season ended, walking in his only plate appearance. At age 19 at season's end, Blackburn was one of only nine teenagers to appear in the major leagues that season.

He appeared in 17 more games with Cincinnati in 1913, going 7 for 27 at the plate with three RBI, before being relegated to the minors again. Blackburn resurfaced with Boston in 1915, going 1 for 6 at the plate in three games. Finally in 1916, Blackburn saw substantial major league playing time, hitting .273 in 47 games with the Braves as a backup to Hank Gowdy.

Boston traded Blackburn to the Chicago Cubs in January 1917. He appeared as a pinch-hitter for the Cubs twice early in the season, making his second and last appearance with the team on April 15. A veteran of five major league seasons by the age of 24, Blackburn nevertheless never made it back to the major leagues.

He died on August 3, 1966, in Mansfield, Ohio.

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