If the story of LHP Ed Doheny was to be told, it would start with the fact that he played for some offense starved New York Giants teams to start out his career. Historians that look back at that time state that Doheny pitched well enough to win many more games than he did. In addition to the offense letting him down, he was also betrayed by his defense. However, his 25-50 record from the years of 1898-1900 was a sign that either Doheny was not a good pitcher or he had simply gotten accustomed to losing.
The following was stated in Sporting Life in 1898 regarding Doheny's luck:
"Eddie Doheny has been pursued by a hoodoo, the likes of which has never been seen. The last six games he pitched have been lost. Game after game has the Green Mountain lad pitched that should have been an easy victory for New York. On several occasions he has allowed his opponents but four or five hits, and yet he has seen the games slip from his hands because of errors behind him at the most critical times, and because of the weakest kind of batting by Anson's boys. Doheny must feel greatly discouraged, and yet it seems that he is hoodooed."
That all changed after Doheny was released during the 1901 season. At the time, he was 2-5, 4.50 with the Giants. Ten days later, he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he went 6-2, 2.00 leading the Pirates to the NL Pennant. The next season, Doheny went 16-4, 2.53 to help the Pirates win another Pennant. The 1903 season was just as good, as the LHP went 16-8, 3.19 throwing a career high 222 2/3 innings for the season. The Pirates won the Pennant once again and were poised to play in the first ever modern day World Series against the American League Champion Boston Americans.
Ed Doheny started to have symptoms of a mental deficiency during the 1903 season. It was on this date where he went home because he thought he was being followed by detectives. The Pittsburgh Post had a headline which stated, "His Mind is Thought to be Deranged." He took a brief leave of absence, then returned to the team in August and continued to pitch well. However, he reportedly attacked several people and was sent to a mental institution later that year. That cost him the chance to pitch in the World Series, one that went to the Boston team in 8 games. Perhaps if Doheny was available to pitch, he could have made a difference in the outcome of the series.
He was committed to Danvers State Hospital in Danvers, Massachussets. 13 years later, Doheny would pass away in Medford Insane Asylum. He was 43 years old.
The following was stated in Sporting Life in 1898 regarding Doheny's luck:
"Eddie Doheny has been pursued by a hoodoo, the likes of which has never been seen. The last six games he pitched have been lost. Game after game has the Green Mountain lad pitched that should have been an easy victory for New York. On several occasions he has allowed his opponents but four or five hits, and yet he has seen the games slip from his hands because of errors behind him at the most critical times, and because of the weakest kind of batting by Anson's boys. Doheny must feel greatly discouraged, and yet it seems that he is hoodooed."
That all changed after Doheny was released during the 1901 season. At the time, he was 2-5, 4.50 with the Giants. Ten days later, he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he went 6-2, 2.00 leading the Pirates to the NL Pennant. The next season, Doheny went 16-4, 2.53 to help the Pirates win another Pennant. The 1903 season was just as good, as the LHP went 16-8, 3.19 throwing a career high 222 2/3 innings for the season. The Pirates won the Pennant once again and were poised to play in the first ever modern day World Series against the American League Champion Boston Americans.
Ed Doheny started to have symptoms of a mental deficiency during the 1903 season. It was on this date where he went home because he thought he was being followed by detectives. The Pittsburgh Post had a headline which stated, "His Mind is Thought to be Deranged." He took a brief leave of absence, then returned to the team in August and continued to pitch well. However, he reportedly attacked several people and was sent to a mental institution later that year. That cost him the chance to pitch in the World Series, one that went to the Boston team in 8 games. Perhaps if Doheny was available to pitch, he could have made a difference in the outcome of the series.
He was committed to Danvers State Hospital in Danvers, Massachussets. 13 years later, Doheny would pass away in Medford Insane Asylum. He was 43 years old.
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