Don't ever mess with Boss Schmidt

[mybuddyinc]

Schmidt had two recorded boxing matches according to Box Rec;

http://boxrec.com/en/boxer/84149

First he won against a nobody.

The second is quite impressive, with a no decision (probably an exhibition) again Fireman Jim Flynn on Nov. 20, 1911. Flynn was one of the "great white hopes" that lost to Jack Johnson in both 1907 and 1912. That is probably where the Johnson/Schmidt story comes from.

Flynn fought all the big names of that era (both winning and losing). Even knocked out a young Jack Dempsey in the first round in 1917. So Schmidt even thinking of getting into the ring with him, is quite impressive.

[Babe3Ruth3]

Here is a good picture of Boss Schmidt and says a lot too.

[matthew]

Those fractures in his hands possibly explain why he led the league in errors for a catcher for 3 years straight. The Tigers reached the WS each year & he still had nearly a 50% CS rate.

Does anyone know how he & his brother reached the majors? I have always wondered. Coal Hill AR in the early 1900s is not what I would expect to be a baseball hotbed.

[Babe3Ruth3]

Originally Posted by matthew

Those fractures in his hands possibly explain why he led the league in errors for a catcher for 3 years straight. The Tigers reached the WS each year & he still had nearly a 50% CS rate.

Does anyone know how he & his brother reached the majors? I have always wondered. Coal Hill AR in the early 1900s is not what I would expect to be a baseball hotbed.

I think the Tigers needing a catcher with a strong arm persuaded the scouts to take a chance on Schmidt as stated here: In 1902, Schmidt joined the Springfield Reds and later the Springfield Midgets, both of the Class D Missouri Valley League. In 1903, Schmidt had a brief stay with the Class B Rock Island Islanders, but otherwise, he spent three years with Springfield before being sent to the Minneapolis Millers in the Class A American Association at the end of 1904. His work in Minneapolis impressed Tiger scouts, who needed a quality catcher and were particularly interested in his strong arm. At the end of the 1905 season, they signed him.