Stuffy McInnis

"John Phalen 'Stuffy' McInnis (September 19, 1890 – February 16, 1960) was a first baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. McInnis gained his nickname as a youngster in the Boston suburban leagues, where his spectacular playing brought shouts of "that's the stuff, kid". From 1909-27, McInnis played for the Philadelphia Athletics (1909–17), Boston Red Sox (1918–21), Cleveland Indians (1922), Boston Braves (1923–24), Pittsburgh Pirates (1925–26) and Philadelphia Phillies (1927). He batted and threw right-handed. In a 19-season career, McInnis posted a .307 batting average with 20 home runs and 1,062 RBI in 2,128 games. A native of Gloucester, Massachusetts, McInnis broke into baseball with the Philadelphia Athletics as a shortstop in 1909. Two seasons later, he replaced Harry Davis at first base as a member of the famous $100,000 infield, teaming up with second baseman Eddie Collins, third baseman Frank Baker and shortstop Jack Barry. As prices and costs rose in later years the tag seemed low, but at this time the group was higher-price than any. The Athletics were in their prime, winning the American League pennant in 1910, 1911, 1913 and 1914, and back-to-back World Championships in 1910 and 1911. But after they were swept by the Boston Braves in the 1914 World Series, owner Connie Mack asked waivers on three starting pitchers and began to dismantle his team in light of the attempted raids on his stars by the new Federal League."
Wikipedia

"'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...' During his 18-year career in the Major Leagues, John Phalen 'Stuffy' McInnis’ teams finished in first place six times, winning five World Series, and in last place four times. He started his career by becoming the youngest member of Connie Mack’s famed '$100,000 infield,' replacing veteran Harry Davis at first base for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1911, and joining Eddie Collins, Frank (soon to be 'Home Run') Baker, and Jack Barry in that fabled infield. Following the dismantling of the Athletics after the 1914 season, Stuffy stayed on, suffering through three straight last-place A’s finishes. But whether it was feast or famine for his teams, McInnis remained a consistent singles hitter, an outstanding defensive first baseman, and a savvy clubhouse leader. A spry 5’ 9 ½” right-handed line-drive pull hitter with a boyish face, McInnis has a career batting average over .300, having amassed more than 2,400 hits. However, he is best known as one of baseball’s best defensive first basemen, due to his amazing consistency covering first base."
SABR

Quick Thinking of Stuffy McInnis
"To speed up games, Ban Johnson ruled that to start a new half-inning pitchers would not be allowed to throw warm-up pitches. On June 27, 1911 at the Hunington Avenue Grounds in Boston the sides changed in the middle of the eighth inning. Red Sox pitcher Ed Karger took the mound and began tossing warm-up pitches to catcher Les Nunamaker as personnel were changing sides. Two Philadelphia players (Boston manager Patsy Donovan claimed) hadn’t left the field yet and center fielder Tris Speaker was casually talking to A’s second baseman Eddie Collins. A’s first baseman Stuffy Mcinnis took note and quickly jumped in the batter’s box and smacked one of Karger’s tosses into an unmanned center field. Speaker and the Red Sox were taken unawares. The ball rolled to the wall as McInnis circled the bases. Patsy Donovan and his men pitched a fit, but umpires Egan and Sheridan ruled it a home run. It was the final run in an A’s 7-3 victory. The Red Sox protested to Ban Johnson to no avail." [Baltimore Sun 6/28/1911...]
Baseball History Blog