Expert: Tom Schott - 7/14/2008

Question
Tom, I have an unusual question for you.  I will try to be as specific as possible.  This is in regards to the Phillies from either the 40's or early 50's. During that era there was a native american (Indian) playing on that team by the last name of Pinance.  Can you find anything on him in regards to his stats and/or where I can go to find out anything about him.  Sorry I don't have very much information on this person, but his grand daughter made mention of him playing for the Phillies back then and would like to get more information on that.  It could even be in the early 40's as well.
          Thanks for your interest and response to this unusual request.

Because Mike,

I'm sorry, but I can confirm that no one with that name ever played for the Phillies. I can also tell you that no one with that name ever played in the major leagues. Possibly this guy played in the Phillies minor league system, but never made the big leagues. Are you sure you have the spelling correct?

Tom
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Sorry--the spelling is Pinnance--

Answer
Mike,

This time I did turn up a "Pinnance," but he played long before the 40's and 50's. He was a "cup of coffee" pitcher who appeared in two games for the Philadelphia Athletics (not the Phillies) in 1903.
See: http://www.baseball-reference.com/p/pinnaed01.shtml

As I said, he might have been in the Phillie minor league system at some point. Teams had much more extensive farm systems then than now.