The Early Southern Association -- 1901 -1926 - Elberfeld Biography
Norman "Kid" Elberfeld
(1875- 1944)
Born in Pomeroy, Ohio, Elberfeld played semi-professional baseball as a teenager. He made his major league debut on May 30, 1898 with the Philadelphia PhiIlies. He so impressed the scouts that he was chosen over Honus Wagner to be the Phillies' new shortstop. Elberfeld hit .310 as Detroit's shortstop in his first full season. From mid-1903 through 1907 he was the New York Highlanders' (Yankees) starting shortstop.
He enjoyed a fourteen year career (1898 — 1914) in the majors, compiling a .271 batting average. He twice led the league in being hit by pitches — 1903 (15) and 1911 (25).The diminutive Elberfeld (5'5") was known for daring base runners to slash him out of their way, which they often did. In the clubhouse he cauterized his spike wounds by pouring straight whiskey over them, resulting in badly scarred legs. But the feisty infielder would make his reputation in the Southern Association as a player and a manager.
Elberfeld's debut in the Southern Association came in 1912 with Montgomery, playing 78 games at shortstop. He then spent four seasons (1913, 1915 — 1918) with Chattanooga, where he got his first chance as field manager. While playing infield for the Lookouts, Elberfeld also guided his club to a 284 — 292 (.493) record during those four campaigns. Elberfeld played sparingly in Little Rock in 1918, but was able to lead the Travelers to a 41 — 28 (.594) season and a 2nd place finish in a war-shortened season. He retired from playing after the 1918 season.The Tabasco Kid earned his nickname because of his fiery nature. He was given to baiting umpires and was thrown out of many games because of his insults and verbal harangues. Elberfeld was once ejected by legendary Harry 'Steamboat" Johnson before a game with Little Rock even began.
During the next six seasons in Little Rock (1919— 1924) Elberfeld led the Travelers to a 426 — 452 (.485) record, capturing the Southern Association pennant in 1920. Back to back last place showings in 1923 and 1924 led to his dismissal from Little Rock. Elberfeld managed Mobile in 1925 (73 — 78) and Chattanooga in 1926 (55— 94) before finally retiring from baseball at the age of 51. He often boasted that he had earned enough money playing baseball to put five daughters and a son through college.
After battling a severe cold for a week, Elberfeld died from bronchopneumonia at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga on January 13, 1944 at the age of 68.
(1875- 1944)
Born in Pomeroy, Ohio, Elberfeld played semi-professional baseball as a teenager. He made his major league debut on May 30, 1898 with the Philadelphia PhiIlies. He so impressed the scouts that he was chosen over Honus Wagner to be the Phillies' new shortstop. Elberfeld hit .310 as Detroit's shortstop in his first full season. From mid-1903 through 1907 he was the New York Highlanders' (Yankees) starting shortstop.
He enjoyed a fourteen year career (1898 — 1914) in the majors, compiling a .271 batting average. He twice led the league in being hit by pitches — 1903 (15) and 1911 (25).The diminutive Elberfeld (5'5") was known for daring base runners to slash him out of their way, which they often did. In the clubhouse he cauterized his spike wounds by pouring straight whiskey over them, resulting in badly scarred legs. But the feisty infielder would make his reputation in the Southern Association as a player and a manager.
Elberfeld's debut in the Southern Association came in 1912 with Montgomery, playing 78 games at shortstop. He then spent four seasons (1913, 1915 — 1918) with Chattanooga, where he got his first chance as field manager. While playing infield for the Lookouts, Elberfeld also guided his club to a 284 — 292 (.493) record during those four campaigns. Elberfeld played sparingly in Little Rock in 1918, but was able to lead the Travelers to a 41 — 28 (.594) season and a 2nd place finish in a war-shortened season. He retired from playing after the 1918 season.The Tabasco Kid earned his nickname because of his fiery nature. He was given to baiting umpires and was thrown out of many games because of his insults and verbal harangues. Elberfeld was once ejected by legendary Harry 'Steamboat" Johnson before a game with Little Rock even began.
During the next six seasons in Little Rock (1919— 1924) Elberfeld led the Travelers to a 426 — 452 (.485) record, capturing the Southern Association pennant in 1920. Back to back last place showings in 1923 and 1924 led to his dismissal from Little Rock. Elberfeld managed Mobile in 1925 (73 — 78) and Chattanooga in 1926 (55— 94) before finally retiring from baseball at the age of 51. He often boasted that he had earned enough money playing baseball to put five daughters and a son through college.
After battling a severe cold for a week, Elberfeld died from bronchopneumonia at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga on January 13, 1944 at the age of 68.
