Lon Knight

Alonzo P. Knight
born Alonzo Letti

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11½", Weight 165 lb.
• High School Girard College
• Debut September 4, 1875
• Final Game October 10, 1885
• Born June 16, 1853 in Philadelphia, PA USA
• Died April 23, 1932 in Philadelphia, PA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

"Our captain was Lon Knight, a might fine fellow, who always kept us cheered up, always had a kind word for us." - Lee Richmond about Lon Knight and the Worcester team, quoted in Sporting Life, March 19, 1910

Lon Knight was born Alonzo Letti but his name was changed at school, probably to avoid racial hostility. He played amateur ball in Philadelphia, PA for the Shibes as early as 1870.

In the majors, he broke in in 1875 and played in three leagues: the National Association, the nascent National League, and the American Association. He also umpired in three leagues; The National League, the American Association, and the Players League. And he managed in the American Association as well as at Binghamton, NY. As an umpire, after a one-off game in the NL in 1876, he was a regular umpire in the American Association in 1887, in the NL in 1888 and 1889, and in the Players League in its sole season, 1890.

In 1877 and 1878, he played for Lowell, MA.

Knight started out as a pitcher in 1870, and was still primarily a pitcher in 1876 with the Philadelphia Athletics, although he played quite a bit in the field that year. He shared mound duties with George Zettlein, who had been a big star in the National Association, but was clearly on the decline. Neither pitcher found much success: Knight went 10-22, 2.62, and Zettlein 4-20, but with an ERA over a run higher. From 1877 onwards, though, he was primarily an outfielder.

On July 30, 1883, he went 5 for 5, and on July 30, 1884, he went 6 for 6. After baseball, he was a drummer.

Notable Achievements

• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1876)

Related Sites

• Lon Knight at the SABR Bio Project

This manager's article is missing a managerial chart. To make this person's article more complete, one should be added.