Spider Clark

Owen F. Clark was born on September 16, 1867, in Brooklyn, New York.[1] His parents had immigrated to the United States from Ireland. The young Clark loved playing baseball. He would play the game at actual playing fields in Brooklyn, as well as on the street. It was in these settings that he developed the skills that would help him one day to play at the major league level.[2]

Clark began playing baseball professionally in 1887 with the Nashville Blues of the Southern League, though he only appeared in three games with them.[2] In 1888, he played for two teams: the Manchester Maroons of the New England League as well as the Hazelton Pugilists of the Central League.[2] Clark could play multiple positions, and spectators noticed that he appeared everywhere on the baseball diamond except on the pitcher's mound during his minor league career.[2]

The Washington Nationals, a team in the National League (NL), signed Clark for the 1889 season, putting him in the major leagues for the first time.[2] He made his debut with the team on May 2.[1] During the year, he was primarily used as a catcher, though he played in the outfield and at all the infield positions except for first base.[1] It was as a catcher that he suffered a strange injury. According to the May 8, 1889 issue of Sporting Life:

A peculiar accident happened to catcher Owen Clark, of the Washingtons, at Staten Island [home of the New York Giants at the time] Thursday. He didn't know his hand had been split till his glove filled with blood. He wondered where the blood came from and, taking off the glove, discovered a gash between the third and little fingers.[2][3]

The injury cost him playing time but did not keep him out for the rest of the season; Clark would play 38 games that season.[2][1] He recorded a batting average of .255 with 19 runs scored, 37 hits, three home runs, 22 runs batted in, and eight stolen bases.[1] With the Nationals in 1889, Clark also became the first major league player with the nickname of "Spider," a moniker he received because of his thin build and his excellent range as a fielder.[2]

After the 1889 season, the Nationals folded.[4] In 1890, Clark signed with the Buffalo Bisons.[2] This team participated in the newly created Players' League. Formed to challenge baseball's reserve clause, the league enticed players to join by promising them part ownership in the teams. It was formed in direct opposition to the NL; Buffalo was the only team not in a city that already had an NL team.[5]

With Buffalo, Clark was used mostly as an outfielder, but he played every position at least once during the season, even pitching in one game.[2][1] An August 9 story in Sporting Life related that "Owen Clark's first base playing has caught the crowds. He is deservedly a favorite."[6][2] For the second year in a row, Clark injured his hand while catching, this time splitting a finger while facing the Cleveland Infants. However, he managed to get into 69 games for the Bisons, as opposed to 38 the year before.[2] His last game with the ball club came on October 4.[1] Clark batted .265 with 45 runs scored, 69 hits, two home runs, 25 RBI, and eight stolen bases.[1]

The Players' League went defunct after just one season, and the Bisons franchise followed suit. In late 1890, Clark was diagnosed with tuberculosis. This prevented him from playing for any team in 1891. He died of the disease on February 8, 1892, in Brooklyn. His grave is located at the Calvary Cemetery in Queens, New York.[2]

Clark played 107 total games during his two seasons in the major leagues. He batted .262, with 64 runs scored, 106 hits, five home runs, 47 RBI, and 16 stolen bases.[1]

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)