Ray Jansen...?

[eastchicagosoxfan]

On september30, 1910, a fellow named Ray Jansen played in his only major league game. He played third, committed three errors, but went 4 for 5. Does anyone know what happenned to this guy? Did he continue to play in the minors? Four for five in one major league game should get you a shot the next year, even with three errors. He lived until 1934. I'm just curious.

[Bill_McCurdy]

While I was posting the "This Date in Browns History" thread on a daily basis, I found a handful of guys who played in one late September game for the Browns and were never heard from again. Because these dates were always late September, I was prone to presume that they were players getting an end of season tryout with the club. They weren't call-ups because there was no farm system in place to serve that purpose in the early 20th century.

Ray Jansen is the most memorable one-gamer to me too because of that 4 for 5 performance.

What happened? How come he never got another chance in 1911? I've rattled that one around enough times without a clear answer. The main possibilities I've derived are these two: (1.) something happened to Ray Jansen, vis-a-vis injury or illness, that blew him past the window of further opportunity; or (2.) Jansen just walked away from the game to do something else with his life. After all, in the early 20th century, baseball was not the financially attractive, social status-building experience it would become later.

That being said, conjecture still fails as an answer here. Until, if and when, someone wants to research this one in depth, we are going to be stuck with our curiosity and the unanswered question: "How come Ray Jansen never played again in the big leagues for somebody after going 4 for 5 in his only game for the 1910 Browns?"

[eastchicagosoxfan]

While I was posting the "This Date in Browns History" thread on a daily basis, I found a handful of guys who played in one late September game for the Browns and were never heard from again. Because these dates were always late September, I was prone to presume that they were players getting an end of season tryout with the club. They weren't call-ups because there was no farm system in place to serve that purpose in the early 20th century.

Ray Jansen is the most memorable one-gamer to me too because of that 4 for 5 performance.

What happened? How come he never got another chance in 1911? I've rattled that one around enough times without a clear answer. The main possibilities I've derived are these two: (1.) something happened to Ray Jansen, vis-a-vis injury or illness, that blew him past the window of further opportunity; or (2.) Jansen just walked away from the game to do something else with his life. After all, in the early 20th century, baseball was not the financially attractive, social status-building experience it would become later.

That being said, conjecture still fails as an answer here. Until, if and when, someone wants to research this one in depth, we are going to be stuck with our curiosity and the unanswered question: "How come Ray Jansen never played again in the big leagues for somebody after going 4 for 5 in his only game for the 1910 Browns?"
Mr. McCurdy, thank you very much for the response. I didn't really expect a reasonable explanation, however, it's heartening to hear that this one 4-5 performance has gnawed at your brains too. I recall a book a few years back, I believe it was titled One Time Around the Bases. I wonder if the author attempted to research Mr. Jansen? Regardless, Mr. McCurdy, I appreciate your quick, and well-informed response.
Sincerly,
EastChicagoSoxFan ( White Sox, of course )

[dave_heller]

Jansen was just 21 in 1910, so it does seem a little strange. Conjecture would have to be based on his three errors, obviously. He died in 1934.

The Browns did trade for a third baseman in the offseason, swapping their old one, Ray Hartzell to the NY Highlanders for Jimmy Austin, who ironically made his debut as a rookie in 1909 at the age of 29, but was still a full-time player as late as 1919.

Also interesting is that catcher Joe Crisp appeared in one game in 1910 (and one in 1911) as did pitcher Bill Crouch, who started and went the distance in a loss. He never pitched again.

[dave_heller]

OK, I have more to this story. :) After a little digging, I found out that St. Louis native Jansen ended up with the Pirates in 1912 and was expected (or at least so claimed an article on St. Louis-born players) to provide competition at third base for Bobby Byrne. (Byrne would play at third for the Pirates in 1912 and be traded late in 1913).

Turns out Jansen played for Keokuk of the Central Association in 1911.

Another article claims Jansen - described as a "spring training recruit" - might crowd second baseman Otto Williams out of a job.

In May of 1912, Jansen was sent by Pittsburgh to Wheeling of the Central League.

In 1913, Jansen became the left fielder in Ft. Wayne (although he originally signed with Wheeling, it appears) and married, and eventually was moved to Saginaw when he hurt his leg. I even found an instance where Jansen had to fill in at shortstop in Ft. Wayne for an injured player.

In 1914, Jansen again played for Ducky Holmes' Saginaw team.

In 1915, Jansen was back at third base with Fort Worth, but was out of a job when Bobby Stow won the second base job, pushing the old second baseman, Joe Kneaves, to third.

From all of these, I guess we can determine that he had some chance to make the majors, but was just in fact a minor league type of player. He likely got a shot with the Browns because he was from St. Louis. (And, in case you care, Jansen was blonde-haired)

[Bill_McCurdy]

Dave -

Thanks for all that great post-1910 information on "Blondie" Ray Jansen. May we ask where you found all this data on "Mr. 800?" I'm mainly interested in learning if you have discovered a few arcane sources for tracking minor league players of the early 20th century? - Or are you going to the news files from that era and cold casing the SL sports pages? - Just curious.

- Bill

[eastchicagosoxfan]

OK, I have more to this story. :) After a little digging, I found out that St. Louis native Jansen ended up with the Pirates in 1912 and was expected (or at least so claimed an article on St. Louis-born players) to provide competition at third base for Bobby Byrne. (Byrne would play at third for the Pirates in 1912 and be traded late in 1913).

Turns out Jansen played for Keokuk of the Central Association in 1911.

Another article claims Jansen - described as a "spring training recruit" - might crowd second baseman Otto Williams out of a job.

In May of 1912, Jansen was sent by Pittsburgh to Wheeling of the Central League.

In 1913, Jansen became the left fielder in Ft. Wayne (although he originally signed with Wheeling, it appears) and married, and eventually was moved to Saginaw when he hurt his leg. I even found an instance where Jansen had to fill in at shortstop in Ft. Wayne for an injured player.

In 1914, Jansen again played for Ducky Holmes' Saginaw team.

In 1915, Jansen was back at third base with Fort Worth, but was out of a job when Bobby Stow won the second base job, pushing the old second baseman, Joe Kneaves, to third.

From all of these, I guess we can determine that he had some chance to make the majors, but was just in fact a minor league type of player. He likely got a shot with the Browns because he was from St. Louis. (And, in case you care, Jansen was blonde-haired)
Mr. Heller, thank you very much for the history lesson. For one day at least, Ray Jansen proved that he could hit major league pitching.

[VIBaseball]

Dave -

Thanks for all that great post-1910 information on "Blondie" Ray Jansen. May we ask where you found all this data on "Mr. 800?" I'm mainly interested in learning if you have discovered a few arcane sources for tracking minor league players of the early 20th century? - Or are you going to the news files from that era and cold casing the SL sports pages? - Just curious.

- Bill

My guess is that Dave has access to the ProQuest onlone newspaper search service. It's been an amazing perk of SABR membership that I've enjoyed and put to good research use. Alas, ProQuest is pulling the plug on the SABR connection at the end of this year.

[dave_heller]

Sorry for the late response to your query ... you want me to give away my trade secret?!?!?!?

Just kidding.

I found a site called probaseballarchive.com ... it is free (there is a paid portion, but you don't really need it) and has a ton of papers, although most are of the small-town variety. Yet back in that day and age, a lot of copy was syndicated, so there is some national stuff there.

As luck would have it with Jansen, Ft. Wayne happened to be one of the papers they have.

Enjoy the site; try not to get lost in it. :)