Detroit Tigers Cup of Coffee: Aloysius Travers

The Detroit Tigers have a storied history. Some of the greatest players have had represented the Olde English D. Cup of Coffee is a new segment where we examine players for the Tigers who only had one major league game.

On May 15, 1912, Detroit Tigers outfielder Ty Cobb went into the stands at the end of the sixth inning. It became the backdrop for a game that might as well been the plot for a work of fiction. Claude Lauker, who had lost one complete hand and only had three fingers on the other due to an industrial accident, had been taunting Cobb with racial slurs.

By the end of the 6th, Cobb had enough of the taunting and made his way into the stands at Hilltop Park. Reportedly, when Cobb began to beat Lauker, fans pleaded with him to not beat a disabled man. Cobb apparently shouted back:

"“I don’t care if he has no feet!”"

American League President Ban Johnson suspended Cobb indefinitely following the assault.  The rest of the Detroit Tigers sympathized with Cobb, given that it was 1. 1912 and 2. the nature of Lauker’s taunt. As a result, they decided to strike and refused to play until Cobb was reinstated.  What resulted was one of the most bizarre things in baseball history.

Ban Johnson threatened to fine Tigers owner Fred Navin $5,000 every game that they were unable to field a team. At the time, the Tigers were on the road in Philadelphia for a series against the Athletics. Navin then turned around and had skipper Hughie Jennings to find replacement players.

A Seminary Student on the mound

They found their pitcher in a seminary student named Aloysius “Allan” Travers. Jennings had found the 20-year old on a street corner, and Traverse took the pitching role when he learned that it paid $50. The other 7 roles only paid $25.

Next: Prospects entering make-or-break seasons

On May 18, 1912, a band of misfit toys took the field for the Detroit Tigers. Allan Travers pitched a complete game for the Tigers. However, he allowed 26 hits, gave up 24 runs and was tagged with the loss in the 24-2 lopsided match-up.

After the game, Johnson threatened to the ban the striking Tigers for life from baseball unless they gave up the strike. At the urging of Cobb, the Tigers compiled and ending the baseball career of Aloysius Travers. His career ERA is 15.75.