Every once in a while, there is a rookie who appears and streaks across the baseball landscape like a comet. That was the case for Tacks Neuer, a rookie pitcher for the New York Yankees in 1907.
Tacks Neuer is the type of pitcher that, in most casses, would fade into obscurity when it comes to his MLB career. A 30 year old rookie, he pitched in seven games for the New York Yankees in 1907, making six starts. He never pitched in the Majors after that year, and simply finished out the year for a team that finished fifth with a 70-78 record.
However, Neuer had quite the noteworthy career, even if it only lasted for seven appearances. On this day in 1907, he made his debut, and fired a 1-0 shutout in the second game of a double header against the Boston Red Sox.
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In those seven games, Neuer completed all six of his starts, throwing three shutouts. Overall, he was 4-2 with a 2.17 ERA and a 1.093 WHiP, striking out 22 batters in 54 innings. His record may have been even better had the Yankees had better defense; in his 54 innings, he allowed 21 runs, only 13 of which were earned.
Back in the minors the following year, Neuer would pitch for four different teams in three different leagues. Although minor league statistics from those days are extremely incomplete, it was apparent that he did not have the same level of success. Based on the numbers that are available, Neuer is thought to have posted a 2-10 record with issuing an estimated 40 runs on 44 walks and 45 hits in 59 innings, a far cry from his performance in the Majors.
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Every so often, there is a player who appears out of nowhere to post an excellent season before fading back into obscurity. Tacks Neuer did just that with the New York Yankees, as he announced his presence on this day in 1907.