Frank Mountain

Frank Henry Mountain (May 17, 1860 – November 19, 1939) was an American baseball player from 1880 to 1886. He played seven seasons in Major League Baseball, principally as a pitcher (143 games), outfielder (36 games) and first baseman (18 games). He played for six different major league clubs and saw his most extensive playing time with the Columbus Buckeyes of the American Association, appearing in 128 games for that club during the 1883 and 1884 seasons.

Over the course of seven major league seasons, Mountain compiled a 58-83 (.411) win–loss record and a 3.47 earned run average (ERA). He had his best season in 1884, pitching a no-hitter and compiling a 23-17 record with a 2.45 ERA.

Early years Mountain was born in Fort Edward, New York, in 1860.

Mountain attended Union College in Schenectady, New York, although he did not graduate. He played second base on the Union College baseball team in 1880.

Mountain appeared in a career high 59 games as pitcher in 1883. He started all 59 games and threw 57 complete games, four shutouts and 503 innings pitched. He compiled a 26-33 record and led the American Association that season in losses (33), hits allowed (546), earned runs allowed (201), and bases on balls allowed (123). In November 1885, The Sporting Life noted that Mountain's "disability" was "a terrible disappointment to the club", rendering him unable to bat effectively despite having been a strong batter in 1884. Mountain's batting average dropped from .238 in 1883 to .100 in 1884.

Mountain returned to Pittsburgh in 1886. His arm was reported to have recovered, but he injured his ankle in June. He was limited to two games as pitcher and lost both games with a 7.88 ERA. He also appeared in 16 games as a first baseman in 1886 and compiled a .319 on-base percentage in 69 plate appearances.

Toledo Starting in May 1888, Mountain served as a minor league manager for the Toledo Maumees of the Tri-State League. As manager, he "blacklisted several players, who went on a strike, and there was a popular howl against him." He was released as manager in July 1888.

Career statistics During his seven seasons in the major leagues, Mountain appeared in 194 games (143 as a pitcher). He started 142 games, threw 141 complete games and nine shutouts, and compiled a 58–83 win-loss record with a 3.47 ERA. As a batter, he compiled a .220 batting average with nine home runs and 84 runs scored. In approximately 1895, Mountain became a clerk for General Electric Company in Schenectady, New York. He worked for General Electric for nearly 40 years, serving for many years as the assistant chief of the factory fire department. He retired in 1931. He was buried at the Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Schenectady.