Tim McCabe
{{Short description|American baseball player}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Tim McCabe
|image=Tim McCabe 1918.png
|caption=McCabe with the Salt Lake City Bees, 1918
|position=Pitcher
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{Birth date|1894|10|19}}
|birth_place=Graniteville, Missouri
|death_date={{death date and age|1977|4|12|1894|10|19}}
|death_place=Ironton, Missouri
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=August 16
|debutyear={{mlby|1915}}
|debutteam=St. Louis Browns
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=July 27
|finalyear={{mlby|1918}}
|finalteam=St. Louis Browns
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=Win–loss record
|stat1value=5-1
|stat2label=Earned run average
|stat2value=2.92
|stat3label=Strikeouts
|stat3value=26
|teams=
- St. Louis Browns ({{mlby|1915}}–{{mlby|1918}})
}}
Timothy J. McCabe (October 19, 1894 – April 12, 1977) was a Major League Baseball pitcher who appeared for the St. Louis Browns over parts of the four seasons from {{mlby|1915}} through {{mlby|1918}}, mostly in relief.
Early life and career
McCabe was born on October 19, 1894, in Graniteville, Missouri.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mccabti01.shtml|title=Tim McCabe at Baseball-Reference|work=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=March 17, 2022}} In the early 1910s, he pitched for local baseball clubs in the Iron County, Missouri area.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97838909/tim-mccabe-st-louis-try-out/|title=Tim McCabe St. Louis try out|page=5|work=Iron County Register|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 14, 1913|accessdate=March 17, 2022}} In August 1913, McCabe traveled to St. Louis to try out with the St. Louis Cardinals of the National League after being noticed by former pitcher Barney Pelty. However, by September, scout Charly Barret would sign McCabe for the American League's St. Louis Browns for the 1914 season after McCabe struck out 23 hitters in an exhibition.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97839758/tim-mccabe-signs-with-browns/|title=Tim McCabe signs with Browns|page=5|work=Iron County Register|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 25, 1913|accessdate=March 17, 2022}}
McCabe was sent to the Burlington Pathfinders of the Central Association in 1914 to begin his professional career.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97840111/pelty-signs-youngster-petty-for-the/|title=Pelty Signs Youngster Petty for the Browns|page=7|work=St. Louis Globe-Democrat|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 25, 1914|accessdate=March 17, 2022}} On September 10, he was transfer to the Browns,{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97840177/burlington-sells-four/|title=Burlington Sells Four.|page=9|work=Evening Times-Republican|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 11, 1914|accessdate=March 17, 2022}} six days after their season ended.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SLB/1914-schedule-scores.shtml|title=1914 St. Louis Browns Schedule at Baseball-Reference|work=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=March 17, 2022}}
He played with the Browns in spring training 1915, but was purchased by the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League's Decatur Commodores in April.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97840933/mccabe-arrives/|title=McCabe arrives|page=4|work=Herald & Review|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 13, 1915|accessdate=March 17, 2022}} On May 8, he threw a no hitter against the Moline Plowboys.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97841214/tim-mccabe-hurls-first-no-hit-game/|title=Tim McCabe Hurls First No Hit Game|page=7|work=Herald & Review|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 9, 1915|accessdate=March 17, 2022}}
Major and minor leagues
On August 16, 1915, McCabe made his debut for the Browns against the Chicago White Sox, striking out a batter in a scoreless appearance in the seventh inning.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97842334/two-commies-break-into-big-league/|title=Two Commies Break Into Big League|page=4|work=Herald & Review|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 17, 1915|accessdate=March 17, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLA/SLA191508161.shtml|title=Chicago White Sox at St. Louis Browns Box Score, August 16, 1915|work=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=March 17, 2022}} He pitched in seven games in 1915 for St. Louis, including four starts, ending the year with four complete games, a shutout, and a 1.30 earned run average in 41.2 innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=mccabti01&t=p&year=1915|title=1914 St. Louis Browns Schedule at Baseball-Reference|work=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=March 17, 2022}} Following the end of the regular season, McCabe won the deciding game for the Browns in the St. Louis city title championship series against the Cardinals.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97842886/browns-win-title/|title=Browns Win Title|page=7|work=The State|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 11, 1915|accessdate=March 17, 2022}}
McCabe worked exclusively in relief for the remainder of his major league career, appearing in 13 games in 1916 and one game in each 1917 and 1918. In early August 1916, the Browns announced they had sent McCabe to the Nashville Volunteers in the Southern Association,{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97874407/sport-notes/|title=Sport notes|page=4|work=Herald & Review|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 7, 1916|accessdate=March 18, 2022}} but he did not report to the club by August 13.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97874517/sporting-notes/|title=Sporting Notes|author=Pigue, Bob|page=7|work=Nashville Banner|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 7, 1916|accessdate=March 18, 2022}} He later appeared in games for the Browns on August 24, September 15 and September 30.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=mccabti01&t=p&year=1916|title=Tim McCabe 1916 pitching game log at Baseball-Reference|work=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=March 18, 2022}}
In February 1917, Browns' manager Fielder Jones expressed his desire for McCabe to start regularly for the club in the upcoming season.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97874885/to-start-mcabe-regularly-jones/|title=To Start M'Cabe Regularly --- Jones|page=4|work=Herald & Review|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 13, 1917|accessdate=March 18, 2022}} However, in March, McCabe was diagnosed with appendicitis and missed spring training due to an operation.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97875127/mcabes-pitching-career-in-danger/|title=M'Cabe's Pitching Career in Danger|page=5|work=The Daily Review|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 3, 1917|accessdate=March 18, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97875220/tim-mccabe-operated-on/|title=Tim McCabe Operated On.|page=31|work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 4, 1917|accessdate=March 18, 2022}} He returned to the team on April 5,{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97875437/mcabe-and-pennington-are-again-on-the/|title=M'Cabe and Pennington Are Again on the Job|page=8|work=St. Louis Star-Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 6, 1917|accessdate=March 18, 2022}} but only appeared in one game on June 29, allowing six earned runs in 2.1 innings against the Detroit Tigers on June 29.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=mccabti01&t=p&year=1917|title=Tim McCabe 1917 pitching game log at Baseball-Reference|work=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=March 18, 2022}} His contract was purchased by the Salt Lake City Bees in the Pacific Coast League on July 10,{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97876013/saints-get-new-right-hand-flinger-from/|title=Saints Get New Right-hand Flinger From the Browns|page=10|work=The Salt Lake Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 11, 1917|accessdate=March 18, 2022}} but he returned home to rest for the remainder of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97876221/pitchers-sent-home/|title=Pitchers Sent Home.|page=9|work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 22, 1917|accessdate=March 18, 2022}}
He again was transferred to Salt Lake City in January 1918 under an optional agreement, and won 28 games.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97876801/st-louis-players-released-to-minors/|title=St. Louis Players Released to Minors|page=12|work=Scranton Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 21, 1918|accessdate=March 18, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97879842/louisville-team-captures-pitcher/|title=Louisville Team Captures Pitcher Timothy McCabe|page=12|work=Fort Worth Record-Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 6, 1919|accessdate=March 18, 2022}} While with the Bees, he was ordered to find essential employment or be subjected to possible military service as part of the Selective Service Act of 1917 amid the United States' involvement in World War I.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97878586/many-bees-must-work-or-enter-service/|title=Many Bees Must Work or Enter Service|page=1|work=Salt Lake Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 11, 1918|accessdate=March 18, 2022}} After the Pacific Coast League season ended in mid-July, McCabe returned to the Browns.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97878861/bees-scatter-to-all-parts-of-the-usa/|title=Bees Scatter to All Parts of the U.S.A.|page=8|work=The Salt Lake Herald-Republican|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 16, 1918|accessdate=March 18, 2022}} McCabe pitched in a lone game against the Washington Senators on July 27, allowing two earned runs in 1.1 innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=mccabti01&t=p&year=1918|title=Tim McCabe 1918 pitching game log at Baseball-Reference|work=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=March 18, 2022}}
McCabe was purchased by the Louisville Colonels of the American Association on March 1, 1919.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97879264/colonels-buy-a-pitcher/|title=Colonels Buy a Pitcher|page=27|work=Star Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 2, 1919|accessdate=March 18, 2022}} His preseason training was interrupted due to tonsillitis.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97879491/may-not-make-trip/|title=May Not Make Trip.|page=27|work=The Courier-Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 4, 1919|accessdate=March 18, 2022}} By July, he was pitching for a local club in Fredericktown, Missouri.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98776483/flat-river-baseball-team-to-play-the/|title=Flat River baseball team to play the local team|page=1|work=The Democrat-News|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 17, 1919|accessdate=March 31, 2022}} In 1920, he pitched with both the Charleston Palmettos of the South Atlantic League and the Joplin Miners of the Western League before he was purchased by the Rockford Rox of the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League on June 15.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98777465/hornets-look-natural-with-marshall/|title=Hornets Look Natural With Marshall|page=11|work=The Charlotte Observer|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 11, 1920|accessdate=March 31, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98776813/rocks-purchase-western-hurler/|title=Rocks purchase Western hurler|page=10|work=The Dispatch|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 15, 1920|accessdate=March 31, 2022}}
Later career and death
McCabe continued playing and managing independent Missouri baseball clubs through the 1930s.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98777684/tim-mccabe-and-his-band-of-arcadia/|title=Tim McCabe and his band of Arcadia Valley ball tossers|page=3|work=Iron County Register|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 28, 1921|accessdate=March 31, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98777711/sox-win-7-to-6-in-10th-inning/|title=Sox win 7 to 6 in 10th inning|page=6|work=Perry County Republican|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 26, 1921|accessdate=March 31, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98778162/piedmont-loses-to-polar-bluff-sunday-in/|title=Piedmont Loses to Polar Bluff Sunday in Fast Game, 8 to 2|page=1|work=Wayne County Journal and The Piedmont Weekly Banner|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 28, 1923|accessdate=March 31, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98778346/tim-mccabe-wants-to-play-with-ellington/|title=Tim McCabe Wants to Play with Ellington|page=1|work=The Ellington Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 18, 1925|accessdate=March 31, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98778826/sports/|title=Tim McCabe Wants to Play with Ellington|page=1|work=Daily Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 28, 1938|accessdate=March 31, 2022}}
He died on April 12, 1977, in Ironton, Missouri.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98778954/obituary-for-tim-mccabe-aged-82/|title=Former Browns Hurler McCabe Dead at 82|page=42|work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 14, 1977|accessdate=March 31, 2022}}
References
{{Reflist|9}}
External links
{{Baseballstats|br=m/mccabti01|brm=mccabe002tim}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McCabe, Tim}}
Category:Burlington Pathfinders players
Category:Charleston Palmettos players
Category:Decatur Commodores players
Category:Salt Lake City Bees players
Category:St. Louis Browns players
Category:20th-century American sportsmen
Category:Major League Baseball pitchers