Sadie Houck

Sargent Perry "Sadie" Houck (February 29, 1856 – May 26, 1919) was a professional baseball player from 1879 to 1888. He played eight seasons of Major League Baseball, principally as a shortstop, for the Boston Red Caps, Providence Grays, Detroit Wolverines, Philadelphia Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals, and New York Metropolitans.

Houck was considered a solid defensive shortstop. During his prime years of 1881, 1883 and 1884, he led either the National League or the American Association in assists (1883, 1884), putouts (1883), double plays (1881, 1883), and fielding percentage (1884) by a shortstop.

Houck had a career batting average of .250 and ranked fourth in the National League with 35 extra base hits as a rookie in 1879. He was added to the National League's "blacklist" in September 1881, allegedly for being "addicted to drink", and barred from playing for or against any National League team. He was reinstated in 1883.

Family Houck was born in Washington, D.C., in 1856. He was the son of John W. and Catherine Houck.

Baseball career

Boston and Providence Houck made his major league debut in May 1879 with the Boston Red Caps, splitting his playing time between the outfield and shortstop. In his rookie season, Houck was among the National League leaders with 35 extra base hits (4th), 24 doubles (5th), 69 runs scored (8th), and nine triples (9th). Houck raised his batting average to .279 with 16 doubles, 6 triples, a home run, and 36 RBIs in 75 games. Defensively, he led the National League's shortstops with 40 double plays.

As a result of his inclusion on the "blacklist", Houck did not play in organized baseball during the 1882 season. Late in the 1888 season, Houck had a final major league stint with the New York Metropolitans. He compiled a .152 batting average and appeared in his last minor league game on September 23, 1887, at age 31.

Death Houck died in Washington, D.C., in 1919 at age 63. After a funeral at Frank Geier's Sons chapel. The sermon was held by long time friend Aidan Howlin. his interment was at Glenwood Cemetery.