This slideshow was written by Russ Dille and curated by David S. Eskenazi
All Images (c) 2001, David Eskenazi
When Giants Walked Seattle: The 1912 Baseball Season -- A Slideshow
- Posted 11/06/2004
- HistoryLink.org Essay 7124
Undoubtedly, the 1912 Seattle Giants were one of SeattleÂ’s finest ballclubs. Organized and managed by the legendary Daniel E. Dugdale, the franchise brought home five Northwestern League pennants between 1909 and 1918. This slide show focuses on the 1912 team and was written by Russ Dille and illustrated with rare images from David Eskenazi's collection.
Opening the season the day after the Titanic sank, the Giants floundered in last place for the first two months of the 1912 season. Then Northwest baseball legend Tealey Raymond, a mainstay in the Seattle infield since 1908, took over as manager at mid-season, and “Seattle Bill” James won 15 games en route to a 27-win season. Taking 27 of their last 31 games, the Giants finished with a 99-66 mark, five games ahead of their nearest challenger, and claimed the Northwestern League pennant at Dugdale’s Yesler Way ballpark.
After season's end, three Giants players, pitcher Bill James, catcher Bert Whaling, and outfielder Lester Mann were sold to the Major League Boston Braves. Two years later, they played a major part in one of baseball’s greatest stories: the 1914 “Miracle Braves.” Not unlike the Bill James-led Seattle Giants of 1912, the miracle Braves moved from last place on July 4th to the pennant, and a World Series sweep of Connie Mack’s vaunted and heavily favored Philadelphia Athletics.
A young outfielder from Los Angeles, Fred McMullin, was also on the 1912 Seattle squad. Seven years later, he was a member of the 1919 Chicago “Black Sox,” and tragically, one of the “Eight Men Out” involved in the gambling conspiracy that nearly destroyed Major League baseball.
The Giants passed out of Seattle history in 1918. They were briefly succeeded by the Purple Sox and then the Rainiers in the Pacific Coast League.
1912 Seattle Giants
Frank "Tealey" Raymond, player-manager, 1912 Seattle Giants
Bill Jackson, 1912 Seattle Giants
Cecil Thompson, pitcher, 1912 Seattle Giants
Charles Fullerton, pitcher, 1912 Seattle Giants
Fred McMullin, infielder, 1912 Seattle Giants
George Nill, outfielder, 1912 Seattle Giants
James Corcoran, 1912 Seattle Giants
Les Mann, outfielder, 1912 Seattle Giants
Lester Wilson, outfielder, 1912 Seattle Giants
Pete Schneider, pitcher, 1912 Seattle Giants
Willard Meikle, pitcher, 1912 Seattle Giants
1916 Seattle Giants program cover
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