1907 Chicago Daily News Photo of Jiggs Donahue playing first base for Chicago White Sox in old South Site Park, West 37th Street and South Princeton Avenue, courtesy of Chicago Historical Society A veteran of nine major league seasons, John Donahue started his major league career as a catcher during baseball’s Dead Ball Era with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1900. A rarity the 6 ft 1 in, 178-pound backstop threw left-handed. After signing with the St. Louis Browns in 1902 he was shifted to the first base position where he played the remainder of his career. He did not play in 1903, then signed with the Chicago White Sox in 1904 and manned the first base position for owner Chuck Comiskey in the old South Side Park at 37th and South Princeton Avenue as the Sox starter the next five seasons. He hit a career best .287 and high of 22 doubles and with76 RBI with a very fine .349 on-base-percentage in 149 games in 1905. Jiggs Donahue led the major leagues with 609 at bats in 157 games, and scored a career-best 75 runs. His younger Pat also played in the majors as a catcher, 1908-1910. Jiggs Donahue was traded along with Nick Altrock and Gavvy Cravath to the Washington Nationals for pitcher Bill Burns on May 16 1909. Baseball History |
