A right handed pitcher spent 16 years in the big leagues, mostly with the St Louis Cardinals before they became the premier team in the Nationals League. Pitching from the years of 1912-1924 and from 1927-1929 for the Reds, Cardinals and Dodgers, Bill Doak won more than 15 games five times, including a season of 20 wins and another of 19. Unfortunately, Doak never pitched in postseason play. When MLB banned the using of the spitball after the 1919 season, Doak was one of the pitchers that were grandfathered in. He was chosen as one of the 17 designated pitchers that were allowed to continue to throw the pitch after the 1920 season. "Spitting Bill" was known as one of the better spitball pitchers of his time, winning 19 games for the 1914 Cardinals and leading the league with his 1.72 ERA (and 162 ERA plus). He would win 20 games in 1920 and led the NL in ERA again a year later (2.59).
However, Bill Doak's biggest contribution to the game of baseball still has its place in the game. Doak suggested to Rawlings that a web be designed between the thumb and index finger to create a natural a pocket. This became the model glove we see in the game today- 94 years later. Prior to this invention, players used gloves as a way to simply cover their fingers and protect from being struck by the baseball. Obviously, the design of the webbed glove, or the "Bill Doak model," allowed for fielders to better catch the ball and changed the game forever.
Among the categories that Doak ranks in all time Cardinals history are shutouts with 32. Only Bob Gibson (56) had more in the history in the franchise. After he moved to Brandenton, FL in retirement, he Doak owner a Candy Shop and coached the local high school team before he died in 1954.
However, Bill Doak's biggest contribution to the game of baseball still has its place in the game. Doak suggested to Rawlings that a web be designed between the thumb and index finger to create a natural a pocket. This became the model glove we see in the game today- 94 years later. Prior to this invention, players used gloves as a way to simply cover their fingers and protect from being struck by the baseball. Obviously, the design of the webbed glove, or the "Bill Doak model," allowed for fielders to better catch the ball and changed the game forever.
Among the categories that Doak ranks in all time Cardinals history are shutouts with 32. Only Bob Gibson (56) had more in the history in the franchise. After he moved to Brandenton, FL in retirement, he Doak owner a Candy Shop and coached the local high school team before he died in 1954.
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