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Jake Pitler
Jake Pitler
Jake Pitler
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Jacob Albert Pitler (April 22, 1894 – February 3, 1968) was an American second baseman and longtime coach in Major League Baseball. Born in New York City, and Jewish,[1][2] he moved with his family to Western Pennsylvania when he was a boy, and he grew up in Beaver Falls and Pittsburgh.[3]

Key Information

Baseball career

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Pitler stood 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) tall, weighed 150 pounds (68 kg) and batted and threw right-handed. He began his professional playing career in 1913 at Jackson of the Class C Southern Michigan Association. When that league disbanded in 1915, Pitler was picked up by the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Class A Southern Association. He was batting a healthy .364 in 42 games when his contract was purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the midseason of 1917 during the World War I manpower crisis. He played in 109 games for Pittsburgh that season, and two contests in 1918, compiling a .232 average in 383 at bats with no home runs and 23 runs batted in. Pitler holds the record for most putouts in a game by a second baseman, with 15, made in a 22-inning game on August 22, 1917. After rejecting a minor-league assignment in early 1918, Pitler left the ranks of "organized baseball" for almost a decade.[3]

During much of the 1920s, Pitler played in semi-professional or "outlaw" leagues. But in 1928, he joined the Binghamton Triplets of the New York–Pennsylvania League and became a fixture in that circuit, playing also for Elmira and Hazleton, and beginning his managing career in 1934 with Scranton.

In 1939, Pitler joined the Brooklyn Dodgers as a minor league manager, winning back-to-back pennants with the Olean Oilers of the PONY League in 1939–40. He was promoted to the Dodger coaching staff in 1947 and remained a member of it through the end of the team's stay in Brooklyn in 1957 — through six National League championships and Brooklyn's lone world title, which came in 1955.

Pitler usually served as Brooklyn's first-base coach and worked under Dodger managers Leo Durocher, Burt Shotton, Chuck Dressen and Walter Alston. He appeared in Roger Kahn's memoir The Boys of Summer as a somewhat obsequious aide to Dressen. But with his minor league managing background, he was also hailed as a fatherly figure to Dodger rookies and young players. He was cited for that role in poet Marianne Moore's paean to the 1955 champions, Hometown Piece for Messrs. Alston and Reese.[4]

Pitler retired as a coach after the 1957 season rather than move with the Dodgers to Los Angeles, but continued his association with the team as a scout. He died in Binghamton, New York, in 1968 at the age of 73.[5] In 1991, he was inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in Pittsburgh.

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Jake Pitler

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'''Jake Pitler''' was an American former professional baseball second baseman and longtime coach in Major League Baseball. He was Jewish and known for his tenure as first-base coach with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Born Jacob Albert Pitler on April 22, 1894, in New York City, he moved with his family to Western Pennsylvania as a boy and grew up in Beaver Falls and Pittsburgh. He played briefly in the majors as a second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates, appearing in 1917 and 1918. After his playing career, Pitler transitioned into coaching, starting in the minor leagues in 1928 and managing there by 1929. In 1947, Pitler joined the Brooklyn Dodgers as first-base coach, serving under manager Burt Shotton that year (Leo Durocher having been suspended for the season) and later under Durocher and other managers. His good nature and affable personality made him popular with players and fans alike. He remained with the Dodgers organization in various coaching capacities through 1957, earning recognition as a premier coach during the team's successful era. Pitler died on February 3, 1968, in Binghamton, New York, at the age of 73.

Early life

Birth and family background

Jacob Albert Pitler was born on April 22, 1894, in New York City. He was the eldest of seven children born to Russian-Jewish immigrants Frederick Pitler (originally spelled Peitler) and Yetta Pitler. His father worked as a junk dealer before later becoming a produce seller. The family relocated to Pennsylvania during Pitler's childhood.

Youth in Pennsylvania

After his birth in New York City to Russian-Jewish immigrants, Pitler's family relocated to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, while he was still a child, where his father worked as a junk dealer. By 1910, the Pitlers had moved to Pittsburgh, where his father sold produce. In Pittsburgh, Pitler and his brothers Harry and Dave sold newspapers on street corners to help support the family. They often worked near Forbes Field, the home stadium of the Pittsburgh Pirates, exposing Pitler to the game and allowing him to become friendly with some of the players. This proximity fostered his early interest in baseball. While selling papers, Pitler also formed a lifelong friendship with fellow newsboy Art Rooney, the future founder and owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. His brothers pursued athletic paths as well: Harry became a lightweight boxer and later managed heavyweight Billy Conn, while Dave played quarterback for the University of Pittsburgh football team.

Playing career

Minor league beginnings

Jake Pitler began his professional baseball career in 1912 with Connellsville in the Ohio-Pennsylvania League, although the team folded mid-season. He continued playing in 1913 and 1914 for Jackson in the Southern Michigan Association, where he posted a .301 batting average in 1914. In 1915, Pitler joined the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Southern Association. He played a full season there in 1916, and in 1917 he was batting .364 through 42 games when the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired him on May 22, 1917. Pitler stood 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighed 150 pounds, and batted and threw right-handed.

Major league stint with Pittsburgh Pirates

Jake Pitler made his major league debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 30, 1917, after being acquired from the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Southern Association on May 22 in exchange for infielder Bill Gleason and cash. In his debut against the Chicago Cubs at Forbes Field, he recorded a hit in each game of a doubleheader and handled second base skillfully. During the 1917 season, Pitler appeared in 109 games, primarily as the Pirates' second baseman, batting .233 with 23 RBI and no home runs. He posted a .966 fielding percentage, ranking second among National League regular second basemen. Pitler shared the infield with Honus Wagner, then 43 years old and playing part-time mostly at first base. On August 22, 1917, in a 22-inning game against the Brooklyn Robins that ended in a 6–5 Pirates loss, Pitler set a major league record for putouts by a second baseman in a single game with 15 while going 3-for-9 at the plate. In January 1918, the Pirates acquired veteran second baseman George Cutshaw from Brooklyn, displacing Pitler. He played in only two games that season, with his final major league appearance coming on May 24, 1918.

Independent and minor leagues (1919–1938)

Semi-professional and outlaw leagues

After refusing a minor league assignment to Jersey City of the International League in early 1918, Jake Pitler left organized baseball and did not report to the team, leading to contemporary reports of his desertion. He subsequently jumped to outlaw baseball in Pennsylvania, which resulted in a ban from organized baseball. Pitler remained in western Pennsylvania during this period away from organized baseball, engaging in semi-professional play. He served as player-manager of the Oil City Independents in the semi-pro Oil Stove League in both 1919 and 1920. In 1920, he was also employed as manager of a billiards hall. He stayed outside organized baseball for nearly a decade, with his activities during much of this time centered on semi-professional and outlaw leagues in Pennsylvania.

Player-manager positions

Jake Pitler returned to organized baseball in 1928 after years in independent and semi-professional circuits, playing second base for the Binghamton Triplets of the Class B New York-Pennsylvania League. He appeared in 136 games, batting .285 with 24 doubles, 8 triples, and 39 errors in the field. He transitioned to player-manager roles starting in 1929 with the Elmira Colonels of the New York-Pennsylvania League, guiding the team to a fifth-place finish that year, second place in 1930, and last place in 1931 before his midseason dismissal. Pitler then signed with the Hazleton Mountaineers as a player in 1931 and managed them in 1932. He continued managing in subsequent seasons with the Springfield Chicks of the Class C Middle Atlantic League in 1933, the Scranton Miners of the New York-Pennsylvania League in 1934, Portsmouth of the Middle Atlantic League in 1935 (his final year as an active player), Wilkes-Barre of the New York-Pennsylvania League in 1936, and the Jeannette Bisons of the Class D Pennsylvania State Association in 1937, a team he briefly owned before it folded in June after 24 games. In 1938, Pitler served as director of the Atlantic Baseball Schools in Binghamton, overseeing a group of amateur teams sponsored by the Atlantic Refinery. Known for his fiery nature and entertaining antics on the field throughout his managing years, he remained a colorful and intense presence in the minor leagues.

Brooklyn Dodgers minor league system

Managing Olean and other affiliates

Jake Pitler joined the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in 1939 as manager of the Olean Oilers in the Class D PONY League, where he also served as business manager. He led the team to consecutive league championships in 1939 and 1940, establishing early success in the Dodgers' farm system. Known as a "fiery pepper pot," Pitler became a major gate attraction through his energetic personality and entertaining on-field antics, which made him one of the few managers who could reliably draw crowds. Pitler fostered a notable rivalry with Jamestown manager Greg Mulleavy, as the two would plan pre-game "arguments" to heighten excitement and enliven fans during matchups. He continued managing the Olean Oilers through the 1943 season before moving to higher-level affiliates. In 1944 and 1945, Pitler managed the Newport News Dodgers in the Piedmont League, followed by the Danville Dodgers in the Three-I League in 1946. During his time in the Dodgers' minor league system, Pitler was credited with sharp talent evaluation, including spotting Gil Hodges at an Olean tryout and urging Branch Rickey not to let him go. His ability to recognize and develop prospects also contributed to bringing Duke Snider, Clem Labine, and Ralph Branca into the organization.

Scouting and player development

Jake Pitler demonstrated exceptional skill in scouting and developing talent within the Brooklyn Dodgers' minor league system. His keen eye for potential players significantly contributed to the organization's success by identifying and nurturing several individuals who later became major league stars. Pitler is credited with discovering Gil Hodges during an open tryout camp in Olean, New York, while managing the Dodgers' PONY League affiliate there. Spotting the young prospect's promise, he pointed Hodges out to Branch Rickey Jr., head of the Dodgers' farm system, and urged, "Don't let that kid get away," ensuring Hodges was retained and signed to the organization. Through his managerial roles in the Dodgers' affiliates, Pitler also recognized and helped bring along other key talents, including Duke Snider, Clem Labine, and Ralph Branca, who progressed to prominent careers with Brooklyn. His ability to identify and develop these players strengthened the Dodgers' pipeline during his time in the minor leagues.

Major league coaching with Brooklyn Dodgers

Joining the coaching staff

Jake Pitler was promoted to the Brooklyn Dodgers' major league coaching staff as first-base coach for the 1947 season under manager Burt Shotton, following his managerial role in the club's minor league affiliates, most recently with Danville in 1946. He patrolled the first-base line to urge on runners and was rarely positioned in the coach's box, gaining recognition as a premier sign stealer who provided valuable assistance to batters and base runners. Pitler continued in the role through the 1957 season, serving under managers Burt Shotton, Leo Durocher, Charlie Dressen, and Walter Alston. Manager Burt Shotton described him as "one of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen," noting that "he lives baseball" and "was a wonderful influence on young players." During the 1947 spring training, Pitler befriended Jackie Robinson, and the two maintained a close friendship for the remainder of their lives. As a practicing Jew, Pitler adhered to a personal principle by never suiting up for games when the Jewish High Holidays fell during the baseball season.

Tenure, contributions, and achievements

Pitler served as the first-base coach for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1947 to 1957, working under managers Burt Shotton, Leo Durocher, Charlie Dressen, and Walter Alston. During this period, the team captured six National League pennants (1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955, and 1956) and won the 1955 World Series against the New York Yankees. Known for his good nature and popularity with players and fans, Pitler acted as a fatherly counselor to rookies and was described in his obituary as a friend and counselor to an entire generation of Dodgers players. He received honors at Ebbets Field on two occasions, including "Jake Pitler Night" on September 18, 1956, when the Dodgers recognized his long and devoted service to baseball spanning 44 years. Pitler's role as a supportive coach and aide to manager Chuck Dressen is depicted in Roger Kahn's The Boys of Summer. His contributions were also celebrated in Marianne Moore's 1955 poem commemorating the Dodgers' World Series triumph, where he was referred to as the team's first-base coach and cheer-leader.

Retirement and later years

Post-coaching scouting role

Following the Brooklyn Dodgers' relocation to Los Angeles after the 1957 season, Jake Pitler chose to retire from his coaching role rather than move to the West Coast. He was replaced as first-base coach by Greg Mulleavy, who had been the Dodgers' chief scout for the Northeast. When Mulleavy moved west with the Dodgers, owner Walter O'Malley asked Pitler to take over Mulleavy's scouting duties in the Northeast, an offer Pitler accepted. He served as a scout for the Dodgers organization, covering New York, Pennsylvania, and Canada while based in Binghamton, New York. Pitler remained in this position until his death on February 3, 1968, in Binghamton at age 73.

Personal life and family

Jake Pitler married Henrietta L. Pitler, and the couple had one son, Lawrence Pitler. At the time of his death on February 3, 1968, in Binghamton, New York, Pitler was survived by his wife Henrietta and his son Lawrence, who resided in New York.

Death and legacy

Passing

Jacob A. Pitler died on February 3, 1968, at Binghamton General Hospital in Binghamton, New York, at the age of 73. He was survived by his wife, Henrietta, and his son, Lawrence.

Honors and remembrance

Jake Pitler was posthumously inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame of Western Pennsylvania in 1991 for his contributions to baseball as a player and long-time coach. He remained a beloved figure among Brooklyn Dodgers fans and within the organization for his dedicated service, positive influence on players, and selfless character. In the mid-1950s, fans honored him with special on-field ceremonies at Ebbets Field known as "Jake Pitler Night," first in 1954 and again on August 25, 1956, to celebrate his devotion to the Dodgers. Pitler agreed to these events only on the condition that all proceeds and gifts be donated to the children's wing of Beth-El Hospital in Brooklyn, where the funds from the first ceremony established the Jake Pitler Pediatric Playroom for underprivileged and disabled children. These tributes reflected his enduring popularity and the affection he inspired in the Brooklyn community during his later years with the team.

Media appearances

Television broadcasts as himself

Jake Pitler appeared as himself in televised broadcasts of Major League Baseball All-Star Games during his time as a coach with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was credited as Self - NL Coach in the 1950 MLB All-Star Game, which aired as a television special. These appearances were non-fictional and directly tied to his role in baseball, with no evidence of scripted or acting involvement. Pitler made a similar appearance as Self - NL Coach in the 1953 MLB All-Star Game, also presented as a TV special. No other television credits are documented for him, either in baseball contexts or otherwise.
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