John Franklin Eubank (September 9, 1872 – November 3, 1958), nicknamed "Honest John,"[1][2] was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers from 1905 to 1907.
| John Eubank | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: September 9, 1872 Servia, Indiana | |
| Died: November 3, 1958 (aged 86) Bellevue, Michigan | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 19, 1905, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 2, 1907, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 8-13 |
| Earned run average | 3.12 |
| Strikeouts | 56 |
| Teams | |
| |
Early years edit
Eubank was born in Servia, Indiana, in 1872.[3]
Baseball player edit
Detroit Tigers edit
Eubank was purchased by the Detroit Tigers from Fort Dodge Gypsum Eaters of the Iowa State League in early August 1905.[3][4] Eubank made his major league debut with the Tigers as a 33-year-old rookie on September 19, 1905. On September 22, 1905, he allowed only one hit and no runs in six innings as a relief pitcher against Washington.[5] Eubank compiled a record of 1–0 with a 2.08 ERA in 1905.[3]
He pitched in a career-high 24 games and 135 innings in 1906, compiling a 4–10 record with a 3.53 ERA.[3] At the end of September, he pitched a complete-game shutout against New York.[6]
In 1907, Eubank went 3–3 with a 2.67 ERA on a Detroit team that won the American League pennant.[3] He lost his first start of the 1907 by a 1-0 score.[7] In late June, Eubank pitched a shutout against the Cleveland Naps to stop a four-game losing streak.[8] He pitched his last major league game on August 2, 1907.[3]
Eubank was sent to Indianapolis late in the 1907 season where he had three wins in three starts.[9] He returned to the Tigers for the 1907 World Series against the Chicago Cubs. Although he did not pitch in the World Series, Eubank protested when he was denied a share of the club's bonus funds. The team voted to exclude him in spite of his protest.[10]
Minor leagues edit
Eubank continued to play in the minor leagues for several years, concluding his career with the Grays from Goshen, Indiana.[2]
Later years edit
At the time of the 1910 U.S. Census, Eubank was living in Bellevue, Michigan, with his wife, Bessie, and their children, Jennie (age 18), David (age 13), and Dewey (age 11).[11]
At the time of the 1920 and 1930 U.S. Censuses, Eubank remained in Bellevue with his wife Bessie.[12][13]
At the time of the 1940 U.S. Census, Eubank was living in Bellevue with his son, Ralph.[14]
In November 1958, after a long illness, Eubank died at his home in Bellevue, Michigan.[3]
References edit
- ^ "Honest John's Luck Came Good at Last: Pitched Detroit to its First Victory on Athletics' Lot--Winning Run Pulled Out in the Ninth Inning". Detroit Free Press. July 14, 1906. p. 9.
- ^ a b "Obituary: John F. Eubank". The Sporting News. November 1958. p. 22.
- ^ a b c d e f g "John Eubank". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
- ^ "American League Notes" (PDF). Sporting Life. August 6, 1905. p. 7.
- ^ "American League" (PDF). Sporting Life. September 30, 1905. p. 7.
- ^ "Whitewash By Eubanks: Servia Slinger Bests Hogg in Great Battle That Ends Series; Back Twirler in Brilliant Style on Field Slow and Soggy". Detroit Free Press. September 27, 1906. p. 9.
- ^ Joe S. Jackson (May 21, 1907). "Eubank Pitches Like Champion But Is Against Shut-Out Game: Combination of Bad Breaks in Ninth Lets in a Run and Spoils His Chance of Starting With Victory. Great Work by Plank, Who Opposes Servia Lad. One Big Block--Wintry Day Holds the Crowd Down". Detroit Free Press. p. 8.
- ^ Joe S. Jackson (June 29, 1907). "Honest John Stops Slide: Naps Shut Out by Eubank in Game That is Close All Its Distance". Detroit Free Press.
- ^ "Told About the Tigers". Detroit Free Press. September 17, 1907.
- ^ Paul H. Bruske (October 26, 1907). "Detroit Dope: The American Champions Still In Local Flavor" (PDF). Sporting Life. p. 9.
- ^ Census entry for J. F. Eubank, age 38, born in Indiana.
- ^ Census entry for John F. Eubank, age 47, born in Indiana. Source Citation: Year: 1920; Census Place: Bellevue, Eaton, Michigan; Roll: T625_763; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 86; Image: 21. Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line].
- ^ Census entry for John F. Eubanks, age 57, born in Indiana. Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: Bellevue, Eaton, Michigan; Roll: 983; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 0001; Image: 246.0; FHL microfilm: 2340718. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line].
- ^ Census entry for John F. Eubank, age 67, born in Indiana. Source Citation: Year: 1940; Census Place: Bellevue, Eaton, Michigan; Roll: T627_1747; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 23-1. Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line].