RSS
Home | MLB Player | Chick Stahl
|
|
|
In 1906, he was named acting manager of the Americans after his friend Jimmy Collins was suspended and decided to focus on his playing, and also due to the club's ownership opting for a change following a poor season by the club. He was officially named player-manager on December 4, 1906. Stahl committed suicide during the 1907 spring training in West Baden, Indiana by drinking four ounces of carbolic acid. The reasoning behind Stahl's suicide has remained a mystery for over a century. He was known as a carefree, fun-loving man and had many love affairs going on throughout the country. He mentioned suicide days before in Louisville, Ky., prompting some teammates to take the carbolic acid from him. His final words to some of teammates were "Boys, I just couldn't help it. It drove me to it." What "it" exactly was remains a mystery. Cy Young reluctantly took over as manager to start the 1907 season, but he was replaced six games into the season. Stahl's widow mysteriously died one year later. Chick Stahl was not related to Jake Stahl, despite contemporary baseball sources listing them as brothers. |
