Ossee Schreckengost

Ossee Freeman Schreckengost (also played under name of Ossee Schreck, born Schrecongost) (April 11, 1875 – July 9, 1914) was a Major League Baseball catcher and first baseman. He played in the 1905 World Series for the Philadelphia Athletics. The Athletics lost the series 4-1 to the New York Giants. Schreckengost was born in New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Schreckengost made his Major League Baseball debut with the Louisville Colonels on September 8, 1897, and appeared in his final game on October 2, 1908, which was the perfect game pitched by Addie Joss. He was also on the wrong side of Cy Young's perfect game, pitched four years earlier. He may be best remembered for being Rube Waddell's primary catcher and roommate for the duration of Waddell's Philadelphia Athletic years. Waddell's unpredictable and bizarre nature famously led to Ossee insisting on a "no crackers in bed" clause added to Waddell's contract. Players at the time would bunk together while on the road, and while Ossee was one of the few who could generally handle Rube's antics, even he couldn't get past having to sleep with food in the bed.

Schreckengost died of uremia at the age of 39 in Philadelphia. He was buried at Kittanning Cemetery in Kittanning, Pennsylvania.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
• Ossee Schreckengost at Find a Grave
• TheDeadBallEra.com – Schreckengost's grave marker