John Frederick"Sheriff" Blake
born: 09-17-1899, died: 10-31-1982

Sheriff Blake
( click to enlarge )
Sheriff Blake, at age 20, began his major league career in Pittsburgh pitching for the Pirates. In 1920, in only 6 games, he pitched 13 and a third innings and had an ERA of 8.10. Three years later in 1924, he got back into the Majors playing for the Cubs where he stayed until the beginning of the 1931 season. Used mostly as a relief pitcher, in eight seasons he had 81 victories and 91 losses. His best season was 1928 when he was 17-11 and an ERA of 2.47 in 240 and 2/3 innings.

Sheriff Blake
( click to enlarge )

In 1931, after pitching in 16 games and with a 0-4 record, the Cubs put him on waivers and he was picked up by the Philadelphia Phillies. He started 9 games but after a 4-5 record and ERA of 5.58, they let him go.

However, Blake was not through with the Majors. Five years later, 1937, he was acquired as a free agent to play for the St. Louis Browns. In fifteen games, he was 2-2 with a 7.61 ERA and the Browns let him go in July. The St. Louis Cardinals pick him up two days later and he pitched in 14 games starting 2 but they released him in October after the season was over.