Giants Mike Donlin Returns from Acting Career

The list of former athletes who went on to went on to star in various movies or television shows is impressive indeed. Yet, it is rare for an athlete in their prime to leave the game to begin an acting career, and even rarer for that person to return after a couple of years away. The Giants Mike Donlin did just that on this day in 1911.

Mike Donlin had been an excellent hitter during his time in the National League. He was consistently amongst the leaders in batting average, and before breaking his leg in 1906 and missing most of the season, was quite the dangerous batsman. He missed the 1907 season when he left to play for Nixey Callahan’s semi-pro team, and when he returned for the 1908 season, was still among the best offensive players.

However, Donlin left the Giants again after the 1908 season. He decided to join his wife, Mabel Hite, on the vaudeville stage, putting his baseball career on hold. Between his acting commitments, and his time in prison due to drunkenness and assault, Donlin spent over two years away from baseball before returning to the Giants on this day in 1911.

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Donlin did not play in that first game back, but in his next two seasons, he was once again an above average player. Even though his return to the GIants was short lived, as he lasted 12 games with the team before John McGraw tired of the outfielder and sent him to Boston, he could still hit and hit with a bit of pop.

Donlin’s return did not mean he was done with acting. After retiring for good after the 1914 season, Donlin appeared in over fifty movies, although he never got a starring role. In fact, one has to wonder if Donlin made the right move in pursuing his acting career, when he was considered to be on pace for a potential Hall of Fame career had he not put baseball aside.

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One of the more beloved players in New York during his prime, Mike Donlin came back to the GIants on this day in 1911. As it turned out, he would not be back for long.