Larry Cheney

Born in Belleville in north central Kansas, Larry Cheney made his major league debut with the Chicago Cubs in 1911 at the age of 25.  In his third big league game, Cheney used his throwing hand to deflect a line drive off the bat of Hall of Fame player Zack Wheat.  Cheney’s thumb was fractured, and he was no longer able to throw his fastball as well as before.

The following season, Cheney started to use a knuckleball and spitball and became one of the top pitchers in the National League.  In 1912, he tied for the NL lead with 26 wins, followed by seasons of 21 and 20 wins.  He was seventh in the Most Valuable Player voting of 1913.

Amid a sub-par 1915 season, Cheney was traded to the Brooklyn Robins.  He won 18 games the following year, helping his new team reach the World Series.  In the World Series, he struck out five in three innings of relief, as the Robins lost to the Boston Red Sox in five games.

Cheney pitched for three teams over the next three seasons and retired with a record of 116-100.  He had an earned run average of 2.70.

Cheney died in Daytona Beach Florida in 1969 at the age of 82.

For more, read Larry Cheney’s Society for American Baseball Research bio.