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Frank Kitson 1869 - 1930 Major League Baseball Player |
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------------------- Mr. Suel Hudson, in a memoriam of the late Frank Kitson, says he was one of the greatest men of Southern Michigan in the baseball world; that in the spring of 1888 when he (Hudson) was chosen manager of the Allegan baseball team he lacked a pitcher; and, in casting about for the right one, he thought of Frank Kitson who the year before had pitched for the Miner Lake boys, his home team. Kitson accepted the position offered by Hudson and modestly said the Miner Lake players had paid him $3 per game. At this Mr Hudson said he would give him $5 per game which was most pleasing. Mr. Hudson then began to boom Kitson in a drawing card, publishing his usual ability, and this was the beginning of Mr. Kitson's famous career on the national field. His skillful manipulations attracted the outside world of sports and the following season he engaged with the Muskegon Reds as their leading pitcher. In 1900 he was in Detroit with the American League and later joined the American association in Kansas City. When the Brooklyn league sent him a contract to sign, with a salary of $7000 for the season, he returned it unsigned asking $9,000 for his services which was immediately granted. From Muskegon, Mr. Kitson went to Burlington, Iowa, with the "Three Eyes" and from there to Baltimore where he played with the Orioles of the National League. Mr. Kitson's skill placed him with such men as the late Hughie Jennings, with Wilbur Robinson, manager and owner of the New York Giants. These reminscences of Hr. Hudson were coincident with those of Mr. Ray Hale, both having the greatest respect and admiration for the lameted Frank Kitson of nation-wide fame. Born in Hopkins, Michigan, Kitson played 10 seasons, from 1898-1899, starting Major League Baseball with the Baltimore Orioles. He then played for the Brooklyn Superbas in 1900 - 1902, and moved on to the the Detroit Tigers in 1903 - 1905, played a few years with the Washington Senators, from 1903 – 1905, and finishing with the New York Highlanders, from 1906 – 1907. According to baseball-reference.com, Frank Kitson compiled a career record of 129 wins with a 3.17 earned run average (ERA) and 736 strikeouts. He appeared in 304 games. |
| Frank Kitson is buried in Hudson Corners Cemetery
in Allegan, Michigan, next to his wife Edith Mae (Bracelin) Kitson. |  Click to enlarge |
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