Cy Falkenberg

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Cy Falkenberg

|image=Cyfalkenberg.jpg

|caption=Falkenberg in 1913

|position=Pitcher

|birth_date={{birth date|1879|12|17}}

|birth_place=Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

|death_date={{death date and age|1961|4|15|1879|12|17}}

|death_place=San Francisco, California, U.S.

|bats=Right

|throws=Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate=April 21

|debutyear=1903

|debutteam=Pittsburgh Pirates

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate=July 4

|finalyear=1917

|finalteam=Philadelphia Athletics

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label=Win–loss record

|stat1value=130–123

|stat2label=Earned run average

|stat2value=2.68

|stat3label=Strikeouts

|stat3value=1,164

|teams=

Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|1903}})
Washington Senators ({{mlby|1905}}–{{mlby|1908}})
Cleveland Naps ({{mlby|1908}}–{{mlby|1911}}, {{mlby|1913}})
Indianapolis Hoosiers ({{mlby|1914}})
Newark Peppers ({{mlby|1915}})
Brooklyn Tip-Tops ({{mlby|1915}})
Philadelphia Athletics ({{mlby|1917}})

}}

Frederick Peter "Cy" Falkenberg (December 17, 1879 – April 15, 1961) was an American professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1903 to 1917 for the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League, the Washington Senators, Cleveland Naps, and Philadelphia Athletics of the American League and the Indianapolis Hoosiers, Newark Peppers, and Brooklyn Tip-Tops of the Federal League.

Early life

Frederick Peter Falkenberg was born on December 17, 1879, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the first of seven children born to Agnes and Frederick A. Falkenberg, who had both immigrated to the United States from Norway.{{Cite web|url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/cy-falkenberg/|title=Cy Falkenberg|first=Eric|last=Enders|publisher=Society for American Baseball Research|accessdate=April 26, 2021}} Falkenberg attended Northwest Division High School in Chicago,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91795860/the-inter-ocean/|title=Clipped from the Inter Ocean|newspaper=The Inter Ocean|date=October 21, 1907|page=9}} and played for the school's baseball team.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77175121/when-huff-found-fred-falkenberg/|title=When Huff Found Fred Falkenberg|page=8|work=Quad-City Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 20, 1911 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} He also played as a semi-professional in Chicago.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/366293516/?terms=%22fred%20falkenberg%22&match=1 |title=Smith and Block|page=3|work=Austin American-Statesman|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=August 23, 1907 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}}

Baseball career

Falkenberg attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he played college baseball for the Illinois Fighting Illini, coached by George Huff. His teammates included Jake Stahl and Carl Lundgren.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/299540177/?terms=%22cy%20falkenberg%22%201920&match=1 |title=George Huff No Longer Illini Basket Coach|page=7|work=Quad-City Times|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=January 5, 1920 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} Falkenberg graduated from the university in 1902.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/668007743/?terms=%22fred%20falkenberg%22&match=1 |title=List of the Graduates|page=2|work=The Champaign Daily News|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=June 11, 1902 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} That year, the Worcester Hustlers attempted to sign Lundgren, but he signed with the Chicago Cubs of the National League. Worcester signed Falkenberg instead. He won 18 games for Worcester that season.

After the 1902 season, the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League purchased Falkenberg from Worcester.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77177279/falkenberg-signed-to-play-with/ |title=Falkenberg Signed to Play With Pittsburg Team|page=1|work=The Champaign Daily News|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 27, 1902 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/145408783/?terms=%22fred%20falkenberg%22%20worcester&match=1 |title=Base Ball Notes|page=9|work=Evening Star|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=October 1, 1902 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} He made his major league debut with the Pirates on April 21, 1903. Manager Fred Clarke allowed Falkenberg to make hs first start against the Cubs in Chicago.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/141823598/?terms=%22fred%20falkenberg%22&match=1 |title=Western Trip For Pirates|page=19|work=The Pittsburgh Press|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=April 26, 1903 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} He was briefly sent back to Worcester,{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/668090623/?terms=%22fred%20falkenberg%22&match=1 |title=Familiar Figure|page=2|work=The Urbana Daily Courier|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=July 31, 1903 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} but was recalled at the end of July, when the Pirates released Ed Doheny.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/57049460/?terms=%22fred%20falkenberg%22&match=1 |title=Base Ball Briefs|page=2|work=Altoona Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=July 31, 1903 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} Falkenberg struggled in his first year in the majors, losing five of six decisions. He was released by Pittsburgh at the end of August.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77177874/lets-falkenberg-go/|title=Lets Falkenberg Go|page=4|work=The Boston Globe|via=Newspapers.com |date=August 30, 1903 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}}

Falkenberg was reserved for the 1904 season by the Toronto Maple Leafs of the Eastern League,{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77177983/fred-falkenbergs-plans/ |title=Fred Falkenberg's Plan|page=2|work=The Champaign County News|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 28, 1903 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} and though he initially indicated that he would not sign with Toronto, he returned his signed contract{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77178045/falkenberg-is-quite-a-joker/|title=Falkenberg Is Quite A Joker|page=8|work=The Buffalo Enquirer|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 3, 1904 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} and pitched for Toronto in 1904 and 1905.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57344024/1904-jul-fred-falkenberg-former/ |title=Falkenberg A Winner|work=The Champaign Daily News|page=7|via=Newspapers.com |date=August 14, 2020 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/328669571/?terms=%22fred%20falkenberg%22&match=1 |title=Eastern League Reserve List|page=8|work=Buffalo Evening News|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=September 28, 1904 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} When Huff was hospitalized in 1905, Stahl and Falkenberg coached the Fighting Illini baseball team.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77178258/huff-sick-stahl-in-saddle/|title=Huff Sick: Stahl In Saddle|page=10|work=The Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 13, 1905 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} That year, he began to experiment with different ways to get break on his spitball,{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77178356/falkenbergs-new-curve/ |title=Falkenberg's New Curve|page=2|work=The Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 15, 1905 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} which he called the "pinch ball".{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77178466/pitchers-invent-new-curves/|title=Pitchers Invent New Curves|page=3|work=Bisbee Daily Review|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 31, 1905 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} He signed with the Harrisburg Senators of the Tri-State League, and Harrisburg reserved him for the 1906 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/568740136/?terms=%22fred%20falkenberg%22&match=1 |title=Tri-State Players|page=3|work=The Lancaster Examiner|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=November 8, 1905 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}}

In 1905, the Washington Senators of the American League purchased Falkenberg from Toronto.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/28888754/?terms=%22fred%20falkenberg%22&match=1 |title=Players Purchased|page=8|newspaper=The Washington Post|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=September 2, 1905 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} Stahl was the Senators' manager at the time. In 1906, the Washington newspapers began to refer to Falkenberg as "Cy".{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/28949799/?terms=%22cy%20falkenberg%22&match=1 |title=Nationals Revenged|page=9|newspaper=The Washington Post|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=May 16, 1906 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} That year, he walked 108 batters and threw 14 wild pitches, the most in the American League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1906-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1906 American League Pitching Leaders|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=May 1, 2021}} Stahl was replaced as manager with Joe Cantillon in 1907,{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77179017/cy-falkenberg-is-cantillons-one-best/|title=Cy Falkenberg Is Cantillon's One Best Bet|page=13|work=The Washington Times|via=Newspapers.com|first=Thomas S.|last=Rice |date=March 15, 1907 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} and newspapers reported during the season that Cantillon wanted to part with Falkenberg.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77179110/to-dispose-of-four-players/|title=To Dispose Of Four Players|page=10|work=The Pittsburgh Press|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=August 12, 1907 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} However, Cantillon opted to keep Falkenberg during the 1907–08 offseason.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/447140582/?terms=%22fred%20falkenberg%22&match=1 |title=Glints From The Diamond|page=6|work=The Morning Post|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=January 31, 1908 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}}

In September 1907, the National Commission ruled that Falkenberg owed the Harrisburg club a refund on a $200 signing bonus (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|200|1907}}}} in current dollar terms) that he received from them because he joined Washington instead.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77179215/falkenberg-owes-harrisburg-200/|title=Falkenberg Owes Harrisburg $200|page=13|work=The Washington Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 20, 1907 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77179286/wilmington-club-is-ordered-to-pay-mclane/|title=Wilmington Club Is Ordered To Pay McLane|page=12|work=Altoona Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 16, 1907 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} When he did not promptly repay the debt, he was suspended by Ban Johnson in May 1908 until he repaid it,{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77179351/must-pay-or-quit/|title=Must Pay Or Quit|page=6|work=Harrisburg Telegraph|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 1, 1908 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} which he did a few weeks later.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/603704309/?terms=%22fred%20falkenberg%22&match=1 |title=Sporting Notes|page=7|work=Fall River Globe|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=May 18, 1908 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} Falkenberg continued to pitch inconsistently for Washington,{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/48225841/?terms=%22fred%20falkenberg%22&match=1 |title=Falkenberg Unsteady|page=6|work=The Washington Herald|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=April 20, 1908 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/28809581/?terms=%22fred%20falkenberg%22&match=1 |title=25 Apr 1908|page=8|newspaper=The Washington Post|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=April 25, 1908 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} and his name resurfaced in trade rumors later in the season.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77180234/detroit-is-after-fred-falkenberg/ |title=Detroit Is After Fred Falkenberg|page=10|work=The Pittsburgh Press|via=Newspapers.com |date=June 22, 1908 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/668198281/?terms=%22fred%20falkenberg%22&match=1 |title=The University|page=3|work=The Champaign Daily News|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=June 23, 1908 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}}

On July 23, 1908, the Cleveland Naps of the American League purchased Falkenberg and Dave Altizer from the Senators for $10,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|10000|1908}}}} in current dollar terms).{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77180339/cleveland-pays-10000-for-2-players/|title=Cleveland Pays $10,000 For 2 Players|page=10|work=The Dayton Herald|via=Newspapers.com|agency=United Press|date=July 23, 1908 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} He continued to pitch for Cleveland through 1911. He missed time during the 1911 season due to illness and a broken thumb.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77180413/fred-falkenberg-is-out-with-a-broken/|title=Fred Falkenberg Is Out With a Broken Thumb|page=9|work=Evening Star|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 22, 1911 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} After the 1911 season, Harry Davis became Cleveland's manager, and he released Falkenberg to the Toledo Mud Hens of the American Association.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77180510/falkenberg-is-sent-to-toledo/ |title=Falkenberg Is Sent To Toledo|page=8|work=The Indianapolis Star|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 11, 1911 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} With Toledo in 1912, Falkenberg played with Earle Gardner, who had learned how to throw the emery ball from Russ Ford. Gardner taught the pitch to Falkenberg. Falkenberg had a 25–8 win–loss record in 1912, leading the American Association with a .758 winning percentage.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77180619/cy-falkenberg-best-among-the-american/|title=Cy Falkenberg Best Among The American Association Hurlers|page=23|work=Democrat and Chronicle|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 19, 1912 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} Cleveland purchased Falkenberg from Toledo before the 1913 season. He won his first 10 games of the season,{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77181523/fred-falkenberg-has-not-lost-yet/|title=Fred Falkenberg Has Not Lost Yet|page=8|work=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com |date=June 9, 1913 |accessdate=April 27, 2021}} and finished the year with a 23–10 win–loss record and a 2.22 ERA, the second-most wins and eighth-best ERA in the American League. He led the American League with 13 wild pitches in 1913.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1913-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1913 American League Pitching Leaders|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=May 1, 2021}}

Before the 1914 season, Falkenberg jumped from Cleveland to the Indianapolis Hoosiers of the outlaw Federal League. He signed a three-year contract worth $10,000 per season (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|10000|1914}}}} in current dollar terms).{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/7328002/?terms=%22cy%20falkenberg%22&match=1 |title=28 Jan 1914|page=8|work=The Indianapolis Star|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=January 28, 1914 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} In 1914, using the emery ball, Falkenberg led the Federal League with 43 games started, {{frac|377|1|3}} innings pitched, and 236 strikeouts. He also had the third-most wins (25) and the fourth-best ERA (2.22).{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/FL/1914-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1914 Federal League Pitching Leaders|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=May 1, 2021}} The Hoosiers moved to Newark, New Jersey, before the 1915 season, becoming the Newark Peppers. The emery ball was discovered during the 1914 season, and was outlawed. Without the emery ball, Falkenberg struggled in 1915, pitching to a 9–11 win–loss record for Newark.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NEW/1915.shtml|title=1915 Newark Pepper Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=May 1, 2021}} The Peppers traded him to the Brooklyn Tip-Tops for Tom Seaton in August.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77182116/cy-falkenberg-is-now-a-brookfed/|title=Cy Falkenberg Is Now A Brookfed|page=16|work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 20, 1915 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} Frank LaPorte was also included in the trade, but he was not to report to Brooklyn until after the 1915 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/369300778/?terms=%22cy%20falkenberg%22%20indianapolis&match=1 |title=Baseball Briefs For Fireside Fans|page=18|work=Hartford Courant|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=December 9, 1915 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} Falkenberg had a 3–3 win–loss record for Brooklyn after the trade.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BTT/1915.shtml|title=1915 Brooklyn Tip-Tops Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=May 1, 2021}}

The Federal League collapsed after the 1915 season, and major league teams did not want to purchase Falkenberg's sizeable contract.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77182358/falkenberg-unsold-sinclair-must-pay/ |title=Falkenberg Unsold; Sinclair Must Pay|page=9|newspaper=The Washington Post|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 29, 1916 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77182433/falkenberg-not-wanted-by-anyone/ |title=Falkenberg Not Wanted By Anyone|page=13|work=Lexington Herald-Leader|via=Newspapers.com |date=March 2, 1916 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} He signed with the Indianapolis Indians of the American Association for the 1916 season{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77182673/cy-falkenberg-to-pitch-for-indians/ |title=Cy Falkenberg To Pitch For Indians|page=12|work=The Indianapolis News|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 17, 1916 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} and re-signed with them for the 1917 season. After pitching well in an exhibition game against the Philadelphia Athletics of the American League,{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77182989/connie-is-angling-for-cy-falkenberg/ |title=Connie Is Angling For Cy Falkenberg|page=9|work=The Washington Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 24, 1917 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} the Athletics acquired Falkenberg for Jack Nabors on April 29.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77183088/slim-cy-back-in-major/ |title=Slim Cy Back In Major|page=15|work=Evening Star|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 30, 1917 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} However, Falkenberg struggled with Philadelphia, pitching to a 2–6 win–loss record,{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHA/1917.shtml|title=1917 Philadelphia Athletics Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=May 1, 2021}} and was sold back to Indianapolis on July 5.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77183168/old-cy-falkenberg-unable-to-make-good/|title=Old Cy Falkenberg Unable To Make Good|page=8|work=The Lima Times-Democrat|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 6, 1917 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}}

Falkenberg returned to Indianapolis in 1918, but announced that he would not return to the American Association in 1919.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/654270176/?terms=%22cy%20falkenberg%22&match=1 |title=The Indians Slow To Sign|page=9|work=The Kansas City Times|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=March 17, 1919 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} Indianapolis sold his contract to the Seattle Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League (PCL).{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77183507/pitcher-falkenberg-sold/ |title=Pitcher Falkenberg Sold|page=1|work=The Evening Herald|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=March 19, 1919 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} During the season, Seattle traded Falkenberg to the Oakland Oaks of the PCL for Lynn Brenton.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/174725836/?terms=%22cy%20falkenberg%22&match=1 |title=New Rainier Flinger|page=10|work=The Seattle Star|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=June 10, 1919 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} On August 19, Falkenberg threw a no-hitter against Seattle.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77183684/no-hit-game/|title=No-Hit Game|page=5|work=The San Bernardino County Sun|date=August 20, 1919|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=April 26, 2021}} After the 1919 season, Falkenberg announced that he was retiring from professional baseball.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77183812/sport-jottings/|title=Sport Jottings|page=7|work=The Lemoore Advance|via=Newspapers.com |date=December 4, 1919 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}}

Personal life

Falkenberg married Edna Russell, a telephone operator who he met in Washington, D.C., after the 1908 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77183921/fred-falkenberg-to-wed/|title=Fred Falkenberg To Wed|page=8|newspaper=The Washington Post|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 24, 1908 |accessdate=April 26, 2021}} They had two children.

Falkenberg enjoyed ten-pin bowling. He competed in tournaments hosted by the American Bowling Congress{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77184029/baseball-pitcher-leads-bowlers/|title=Baseball Pitcher Leads Bowlers|page=16|agency=Associated Press|work=Nashville Banner|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=March 11, 1912 |accessdate=April 27, 2021}} and managed bowling alleys.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77184110/falkenberg-to-manage/|title=Falkenberg To Manage|page=9|newspaper=The Washington Post|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=December 18, 1909 |accessdate=April 27, 2021}} He averaged about 200 pins per game. After playing baseball in the PCL, Falkenberg moved his family to San Francisco, California, and managed bowling alleys in the San Francisco Bay Area.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77184251/bowling-center-to-be-opened-under/|title=Bowling Center to Be Opened Under Veteran Manager|page=5|work=The Press Democrat|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=November 19, 1938 |accessdate=April 27, 2021}} During World War II, Falkenberg worked in the tool room for the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77184329/cy-falkenberg-former-big-loop-hurler/ |title=Cy Falkenberg, Former Big Loop Hurler, Now Navy Tool Room|page=14|agency=Associated Press|work=The La Crosse Tribune|first=Russ|last=Newland|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription |date=June 13, 1946 |accessdate=April 27, 2021}}