Boileryard Clarke

William Jones "Boileryard" Clarke (October 18, 1868 – July 29, 1959) was an American Major League Baseball player from New York City who played catcher from 1893 to 1905. Clarke also served as the long-time head baseball coach for Princeton University, where Bill Clarke Field is named in his honor. Clarke played for the Baltimore Orioles (1893–1898), Boston Beaneaters (1899–1900), Washington Senators (1901–1904), and New York Giants.

Biography Clarke was born on October 18, 1868, in New York City. He moved to the then New Mexico Territory in his early childhood, was raised in Indian territory, and studied civil engineering in Santa Fe at Brothers College. He began his professional career with the Pueblo Ponies of the Colorado State League in 1889, and played for the Ottumwa Coal Palaces in the 1890 Illinois-Iowa League. After playing for the San Francisco Friscos and San Jose Dukes of the California League in 1891 and 1892, Clarke made his debut for the Baltimore Orioles of the National League on May 1, 1893. Clarke would play in 13 major league seasons.

During his major league career, he also assisted the Princeton University baseball team as a coach from 1897 to 1901.

Clarke died in Princeton, New Jersey, at the age of 90, of complications suffered from a broken hip resulting from a fall. He was survived by his wife of 64 years and a granddaughter. He is interred at Druid Ridge Cemetery in Pikesville, Maryland, in the Evergreen Section.