Ed Lafitte, American baseball player and soldier (d. 1971)

Edward Francis Lafitte, a notable figure in early 20th-century Major League Baseball, left his mark as a right-handed pitcher across several teams. Born on April 7, 1886, he embarked on a professional baseball journey that spanned both the established American League and the challenging Federal League, before his passing on April 12, 1971.

Early Life and New Orleans Roots

Edward Lafitte hailed from the vibrant and historic city of New Orleans, Louisiana. His birth occurred at the family's residence, specifically located at 319 Bourbon Street – a detail that places his origins within one of the city's most iconic and storied thoroughfares, long before its modern-day renown for bustling nightlife. This rich cultural backdrop undoubtedly shaped the early life of the future big-league hurler.

Major League Baseball Career

Lafitte's career as a professional baseball pitcher unfolded during an interesting era for the sport, marked by expansion and rival leagues. He was known for his right-handed throwing and batting stance, a common profile for pitchers of his time.

Stint with the Detroit Tigers (1909–1912)

His Major League Baseball journey began with the Detroit Tigers, where he played from 1909 through 1912. This period represented his longest continuous tenure with a single major league club, allowing him to establish himself as a reliable presence on the mound in the American League. Playing for a prominent team like the Tigers, Lafitte was part of a competitive landscape in professional baseball's early decades.

Federal League Challenge (1914–1915)

After his time with the Tigers, Lafitte’s career took a fascinating turn as he joined the burgeoning Federal League. This league emerged as a self-proclaimed "third major league" in the 1910s, directly challenging the supremacy of the long-established National and American Leagues by enticing players with often higher salaries. This period, though brief, was a significant chapter in baseball history and in Lafitte's career, as players navigated the rivalries and uncertainties of the league.

Brooklyn Tip-Tops (1914–1915)

With the Federal League, Lafitte pitched for the Brooklyn Tip-Tops from 1914 into 1915. The Tip-Tops were one of the league's prominent teams, and Lafitte's involvement placed him squarely in the middle of this audacious experiment in professional baseball.

Buffalo Blues (1915)

Later in the 1915 season, Edward Lafitte also made appearances for the Buffalo Blues, another franchise within the Federal League. His time with the Blues marked the final stretch of his Major League playing career before the Federal League ultimately dissolved at the end of the 1915 season, with many of its players either returning to the established leagues or retiring from the top tier of the sport.

FAQs

What teams did Edward Lafitte play for in Major League Baseball?
Edward Lafitte played for the Detroit Tigers (1909–1912), the Brooklyn Tip-Tops (1914–1915), and the Buffalo Blues (1915).
When and where was Edward Lafitte born?
He was born on April 7, 1886, in New Orleans, Louisiana, at his family's home located at 319 Bourbon Street.
What was Edward Lafitte's primary playing position?
Edward Lafitte was a right-handed pitcher.
What was the duration of Edward Lafitte's Major League Baseball career?
His Major League career spanned from 1909 to 1912 with the Tigers, and then 1914 to 1915 in the Federal League, totaling six seasons.
What was the significance of the Federal League in Edward Lafitte's career?
The Federal League offered him an opportunity to continue playing at a major league level during a time when it challenged the existing National and American Leagues. It represented a unique, albeit short-lived, period in baseball history where players like Lafitte were part of a rival professional circuit.