Sam Trott

Trott began his professional baseball career in 1877 playing for the Chicago Fairbanks and Philadelphia Athletic clubs in the League Alliance. In 1879, he played for the Washington Nationals.[4]

In May 1880, Trott was purchased from the Nationals by the Boston Red Caps of the National League where he made his major league debut. He appeared in 39 games for the Red Caps, 36 as a catcher, and compiled a .208 batting average.[1]

In 1881, he joined the newly formed Detroit Wolverines in the National League. He played for the Wolverines in their first three seasons from 1881 to 1883, serving principally as a backup to catcher Charlie Bennett, though he also played 42 games at second base in 1883. In his three seasons with the Wolverines, Trott appeared in 113 games and compiled a .241 batting average with 23 doubles, three triples and 43 runs batted in.[1]

Trott concluded his major league career by playing four seasons, principally as a catcher, for the Baltimore Orioles. He spent the 1884, 1885, 1887 and 1888 seasons with the Orioles, appeared in 208 games, and compiled a .262 batting average with 46 doubles, 18 triples, three home runs, 71 RBIs, and nine stolen bases.[1]

In 1891, Trott served as the first manager of the Washington Statesmen. In their inaugural season, the Statesmen compiled a 44-91 record and finished ninth (last place) in American Association.[5] Trott was handicapped as a manager by having a pitching staff that compiled a 4.83 earned run average, far above the league average of 3.71.[6]