John Ake

John Leckie Ake (August 29, 1861 – May 11, 1887) was an American Major League Baseball player who played as a third baseman for the 1884 Baltimore Orioles of the American Association (AA). Before and after his Major league career, he played for many professional minor league baseball teams from 1881 until his death in 1887. Described as a good and popular player, he died when the boat he was travelling in capsized in the Mississippi River, and not knowing how to swim, he drowned.

Early life Ake was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania on August 29, 1861 to William, a farmer, and his wife Anne. His family stayed in Altoona throughout his childhood, and Ake became a laborer later in his teen years.

Baseball career He began his professional baseball career in 1882 when he joined a club located in Altoona, having played for a local non-professional team the year before. He played for this professional club through the 1883 season, before signing a contract with the Baltimore Orioles of the American Association. It was just after 8 pm, and the trio were approximately 200 yards from the shore, when a passing steamer overturned their boat with its wake, leaving the three clinging to the boat for some time. Barnes and Earle quickly swam to shore, but Ake, who did not know how to swim, hoisted himself on the overturned boat. His widowed mother asked that if his body was recovered, that his remains be delivered to Altoona.