Arlas Taylor. Anybody who can help?

[deadballfreaK]

Arlas Walter "Foxy or Lefty" Taylor was my grandmothers cousin. He played one game in the majors. He started a game for Connie Mack's A's in 1921 and he got shelled. 5 runs in 2 innings. Charlie Jamieson hit a homer. It was ugly but the bullpen was worse. 17-3 Indians. Arlas did have one claim to fame. He struck out Joe Sewell, the toughest man to strike out in baseball history.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tayloar01.shtml
I have a pic of Arlas with his family and dog when he was about 17. I know he was living in Wayne County Illinois in 1920. Listed his occupation as "professional baseball player" in the census. In 1930 he was selling sporting goods in Chicago. The only records of his minor league career are with Danville in the Three I league 1924-25, but he must have played 10-12 years in the minors and was good enough to get one shot at the bigs. I know it's a long shot, but some pretty smart folks here and some specialize in minor league teams. I'd love any info about who he played for. A team picture or something is doubtful, but would be awesome.

[jcmtiger]

Great Story, hope someone can help!!

Joe

[deadballfreaK]

Apparently the Indians didn't find him too be all that "Foxy". It was September and Charlie Jamieson hadn't hit a homer all year and that was the only one for 1921. Interesting that I have a newspaper: Cleveland Plain Dealer from opening day 1920 where Jamieson led off the game with a homer. Only one he hit that year. He only had 18 in 18 years! Jamieson was hardly a scrub. 1990 hits and a career .303 average

[deadballfreaK]

Just went on Ancestry.com and found some new info that wasn't there a couple of years ago. I now know know he quit school in the 8th grade which was pretty common back then in our family of poor farmers and coal miners. He served in WWI from late 1917 to early 1919. Sgt. in the 326th machine gun. Height listed as tall, weight medium, eyes blue, hair lt. brown. Looks like he might have served before the war. The records are blurry and hard to read. So he wasn't playing ball for a while. Here is a pic from a distant relative. Looks to be a team pic from a Spalding or Reach guide.

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y520/kdmadden/ArlasTaylor_zpsbc4b8f0d.jpg

Best thing is I found the name and email address of his grandson who is very much alive and kicking. Hope to get more from him. I've been contacted by a board member who is working on a photo project for SABR. Arlas is one of the few they are looking for. I'm hoping to get them (and me) a good one!

[deadballfreaK]

Aren't those old baseball sweaters cool?

[tnfoto]

Just went on Ancestry.com and found some new info that wasn't there a couple of years ago. I now know know he quit school in the 8th grade which was pretty common back then in our family of poor farmers and coal miners. He served in WWI from late 1917 to early 1919. Sgt. in the 326th machine gun. Height listed as tall, weight medium, eyes blue, hair lt. brown. Looks like he might have served before the war. The records are blurry and hard to read. So he wasn't playing ball for a while. Here is a pic from a distant relative. Looks to be a team pic from a Spalding or Reach guide.

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/y520/kdmadden/ArlasTaylor_zpsbc4b8f0d.jpg

Best thing is I found the name and email address of his grandson who is very much alive and kicking. Hope to get more from him. I've been contacted by a board member who is working on a photo project for SABR. Arlas is one of the few they are looking for. I'm hoping to get them (and me) a good one!

The photo above comes from the 1921 Johnson City Soldiers team photo on page 246 of the 1922 Spalding Guide. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but 2010 SABR research determined that the "3, A. Taylor" in the photo is actually a fellow named Alfred Taylor, not Arlas.

[deadballfreaK]

Thanks for the info! Looks like I'm back to square one. :(

[Dto7]

Arlas (Lefty) Taylor 3rd player from the right top row with the 1921 Clearfield Terriers.

http://www.bumblebeagle.org/horsehide/clearfield.html

[deadballfreaK]

Arlas (Lefty) Taylor 3rd player from the right top row with the 1921 Clearfield Terriers.

http://www.bumblebeagle.org/horsehide/clearfield.html

AWESOME! Thanks, DON!