Jesse Tannehill

Jesse Tannehill was an outstanding turn-of-the-century pitcher and a switch-hitting outfielder who compiled a better batting average than his brother Lee, a ten-year White Sox infielder. He won 20 or more games six times; his 20-6 record for the Pirates in 1900 gave him the league’s best winning percentage (.769). His 2.18 ERA in 1901 led the NL. In 1902 he again went 20-6 (1.95).

In 1903 Tannehill jumped to the Highlanders (later the Yankees) of the fledgling American League after a salary dispute with tight-fisted Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss. He was with the Red Sox on August 17, 1904 when he no-hit the White Sox; brother Lee helped by going 0-for-3. Used in the outfield 87 times and as a pinch hitter 57 times, with his career winding down he actually played more games in the outfield for the 1909 Senators than he pitched (nine to three).