Johnny Mostil
Raised in the streets of Chicago, young Johnny Mostil was a White Sox fan, and frequently watched the "Hitless Wonders" and Ed Walsh as a boy at South Side Park. Following the Black Sox scandal, Mostil took over in center field for the Sox and starred for them for parts of eight seasons. One of the fastest and finest defensive outfielders of his era, Mostil led the American League in stolen bases twice and batted .301 for his career. During spring training in 1927, apparently suffering from a neurological disorder that caused him great pain, Mostil attempted suicide by cutting his wrists, chest and neck with a razor. After hovering near death, Mostil recovered and returned to the team late in the season.
Played For
Chicago White Sox (1918-1929)
Where He Played
Mostil came up as a middle infiedler, and played nine games at second base for the ChiSox in 1918. According to Richard Lindberg in Who's On Third?, in Mostil's first game, Ty Cobb was on first base and hollered down to him, "I'm coming down after you, busher!" On the next pitch, catcher Ray Schalk's throw reached second in plenty of time to get Cobb, who barreled into shortstop Buck Weaver, only to get the tag slapped right across his lip.
Born
John Anthony Mostil was born on June 1, 1896, in Chicago, IL.
Died
December 10, 1970, Midlothian, IL
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: OF
Primary Team: CHA
Major League Debut
June 20, 1918
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1918
Jimmy Dykes
Cliff Heathcote
Waite Hoyt
Jesse Haines
Bill Sherdel
Tom Zachary
Johnny Mostil
Babe Pinelli
Austin McHenry
Nicknames
Bananas
Similar Players
Harry Rice, Randy Winn
Related Players
Red Faber, Happy Felsch
Notes
After his playing career, Mostil served as a scout, and eventually as supervisor of scouts for the White Sox. In a 1954 Sporting News note, he lamented the greediness of young players. "If a scout says 'hello' to a high school boy, it's $5,000," Mostil moaned.
Injuries and Explanation for Missed Playing Time
On March 9, 1927, in Shreveport during spring training, Mostil returned to his hotel room and carved himself with a razor, inflicting 13 deep cuts in his wrists, neck, and chest. For days he fought for his life, but recovered and actually played 13 games at the end of the season. According to published reports, Mostil was suffereing from neuritis, a disease that causes great pain. However, rumors swirled that Mostil was having an affair with Red Faber's wife and was despondent over it, prompting the suicide attempt. He was never the same player again, and retired in 1929 at the age of 33.
Replaced
Happy Felsch
Replaced By
Dutch Hoffman, Red Barnes
Best Strength as a Player
Speed, throwing arm.
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