JOSS, ADRIAN "ADDIE" (12 Apr. 1880-14 Apr. 1911), major-league baseball pitcher for Cleveland in the American League between 1902-10, whose career earned-run average of 1.88 per 9-inning game is the 2d-lowest in major-league history, was born in Juneau, Wis., son of Jacob and Theresa Joss. He played for the Toledo Mud Hens 2 years; then his contract was sold to the Cleveland Blues. Joss began his major-league career on 26 Apr. 1902 pitching a 1-hit shutout against St. Louis. From 1905-08, Joss won over 20 games a season, topped by 27 wins in 1907. His earned-run average for 1908 was 1.16, and on 2 Oct. 1908 he pitched a perfect no-hit, no-run game against Chicago's Ed Walsh. On 20 Apr. 1910, he pitched another perfect game against Chicago. He completed a remarkable 90% of all games started in his career, with 160 wins and 97 losses. For several seasons, he was a sportswriter for the Toledo News Bee. Joss died of complications from tubercular meningitis. His funeral was one of the largest in Toledo, Ohio history; noted ex-baseball player and evangelist Billy Sunday preached the funeral message. The Baseball Hall of Fame rules state a player must appear in a minimum of 10 seasons to be considered for entrance, but in 1978 the Committee on Veterans waived the rule for Joss, and the pitcher was voted into the Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, N.Y. Joss married Lillian Shinivar on 11 Oct. 1902. They had 2 children, Norman and Ruth.
Last Modified: 17 Jul 1997 02:47:23 PM- Related Article(s)