Dale Gear

Born in Lone Elm, in 1872, Dale Gear became the first University of Kansas player to make the major leagues.  While going to KU, Gear pitched for the barnstorming Winfield Reds.

Gear began pitching professionally in 1896 with Fort Worth.  He was 26-5 and hit .367.  Late in the season, Gear’s contract was sold to the Cleveland Spiders where he was in the same rotation as Cy Young.  Gear appeared in three games in 1896, losing both of his starts.

In 1897, Gear returned to KU and earned a law degree.  The next year he pitched for the Kansas City Blues and was 25-14.  He continued to pitch for the Blues for two more seasons while he built his law practice in Kansas City.  He was elected Secretary of of the Players’ Protective Association in the Western League, an early attempt at a player’s union.

In 1901, the Western League became the American League and the Kansas City Blues moved to Washington.  Gear had a 4-11 record, gaining his first major league win by outdueling Cy Young.

After the season, Gear returned to Kansas City and became president, manager and pitcher for a reincarnation of the Blues.  This version played in the American Association.

In 1911, Gear moved to Topeka to manage the Topeka Kaws of the Western League.  He would live Topeka for the rest of his life.

For the rest of his career, Gear would alternately play manage or serve as president of several baseball leagues.  As president of the Western League in 1926, Gear and Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis decided that resin would be permitted on the pitcher’s mound.

Gear died at age 79 in Topeka in 1951.

For more, read Dale Gear’s Society for American Baseball Research bio.