Fatty Briody

Charles F. "Fatty" Briody (August 13, 1858 – June 22, 1903), nicknamed "Alderman", was an American professional baseball player whose career spanned from 1877 to 1888. He played eight seasons in Major League Baseball— for the Troy Trojans, Cleveland Blues (1882–1884), Cincinnati Outlaw Reds (1884), St. Louis Maroons (1885), Kansas City Cowboys (NL) (1886), Detroit Wolverines (1887) and Kansas City Cowboys (AA) (1888).

Early years Briody was born in Lansingburgh, New York, four miles outside of Troy, New York. He spent most of his life in Lansingburgh, though he lived in Wisconsin for nine years as a child.

Professional baseball career

Minor leagues Briody began his professional baseball career at age 18 playing for the Troy Haymakers of the League Alliance. By 1879, he was playing for New Bedford in the National Association.

On June 16, 1880, Briody received a one-game tryout in the major leagues with the Troy Trojans of the National League. Appearing as the catcher in a 9-5 loss against Cleveland, Briody went hitless in four at bats for a .000 batting average and committed three errors in ten chances for a .700 fielding percentage.

During the 1881 season, Briody played in the Eastern Championship Association for the Washington Nationals and New York Metropolitans. The Wolverines won the National League pennant in 1887 and went on to defeat the St. Louis Browns in the 1887 World Series. Briody compiled a .227 batting average for Detroit.

Return to Kansas City In 1888, Briody played his final season in the major leagues with the Kansas City Cowboys of the American Association. He appeared in only 13 games for the Cowboys in 1888, compiling an .896 fielding percentage and a .208 batting average.

Career statistics In his eight-year major league career, Briody appeared in 323 games and compiled a .228 batting average with 52 doubles, seven triples, three home runs and 115 RBIs. Defensively, he was the catcher in 311 games and compiled a .910 fielding percentage with 1,560 putouts, 506 assists, 204 errors and 31 double plays.

Later years After his playing career was over, Briody returned to Lansinburgh, New York, where he was the Committeeman for the Seventeenth Ward for many years. He also conducted a trucking business, doing work for various companies. He died in 1903 at age 44 of dilation of the heart.