Fred Clarke

CLARKE

Posted By: Treva Patterson (email)
Date: 5/7/2006 at 18:30:18

Winterset Madisonian
August 17, 1960

WINTERSET'S BASEBALL STAR DIED SUNDAY

Madison county's most distinguished contribution to organized baseball died Sunday night. He was Fred Clarke, who was born in Winterset, and who for 15 years played center field for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Clarke died Sunday at his home in Winfield, Kansas, at the age of 87 years. He was born in Winterset in 1872, but when he was 2 years of age he moved with his parents to Des Moines.

He was elected to the national Baseball Hall of Fame, and was one of the first persons named to the Iowa Hall of Fame when it was originated in 1951.

Clarke had a life-time batting average in the major leagues of .315. His best year was 1897, when he hit .407. He was the league batting champion several years.

He also served as manager of the Pirates from 1900 to 1915, and was part owner of the club.