February 4
Senators Birthdays
Edward Wilbur Ainsmith (born Edward Anshmedt) B Feb. 4, 1892 D Sep. 6, 1981
Russian born Eddie Ainsmith debuted with the Washington Senators in August of 1910. A catcher, Ainsmith would be on the Senators roster from 1910 through 1918. Ainsmith’s best year at the plate with Washington would be 1912 when he’d hit .226, his most active season in Washington, 1917 when he’d play in 125 games.
Traded to the Boston Red Sox along with George Dumont for Hal Janvrin and cash, Ainsmith would be traded again the same day from Boston to the Detroit Tigers.
Ainsmith would play for the Tigers in 1919, 1920 and for 35 games in 1921 when he’d find his way to the St. Louis Cardinals, playing in 27 games.
Ainsmith’s best year at bat would be 1922 when he’d hit .293 for St. Louis in 119 games.
Starting the 1923 season in St. Louis, Ainsmith’s average would drop to .213 and he was released in early September. He’d be signed by the Brooklyn Robins later in the month, appearing in 2 games for Brooklyn.
Ainsmith would play in 1 last season in 1924, appearing in 5 games for the New York Giants, his last game coming in late July.
William Herman (Germany) Schaefer B Feb. 4, 1876 D May 16, 1919
Infielder Germany Schaefer began his major league journey in October of 1901, playing in 2 games for the Chicago Cubs at the end of the season. Returning with the Cubs in 1902, Schaefer would appear in 81 games, primarily as a 3rd baseman, hitting .196.
Schaefer would not return to the majors until 1905 when he’d become the regular 2nd baseman for the Detroit Tigers. Schaefer would remain a regular with Detroit through mid-August of 1909. He’d appear in the World Series of 1907 and 1908 as the Tigers lost to the Chicago Cubs in both series.
Traded to the Washington Senators, along with Red Killefer for Jim Delahanty, Schaefer would remain in a Washington uniform through 1914. He’d have his best season in 1911, appearing in 125 games, hitting .334.
Jumping to the Newark Peppers of the short-lived Federal League in 1915, Schaefer would play in 59 games, hitting .214. He’d appear in 1 game with the New York Yankees in 1916 and 1 last contest with the Cleveland Indians in 1918.
More on Germany Schaefer here.
