More Fun With Baseball Nicknames! “Pickles” Dillhoefer!

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 “Pickles Dillhoefer and Teammates with Colorful Nicknames” Photo Gallery
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More Fun With Baseball Nicknames! “Pickles” Dillhoefer!

Some of you will remember my post from the other day about the trade of the Phillies’ great pitcher, Grover Cleveland “Pete” Alexander to the Cubs on December 11, 1917. I called it one of the most lopsided deals in baseball history. The Phills gave up Alec and catcher “Raindeer Bill” Killefer. In exchange they received two virtually unknown players: William Dillhoefer and Mike Prendergast.

As I mentioned, the Cubs certainly got the better end of this deal. Old Pete still had 183 wins left in his arm, which included nine years with the Cubs (128-83, 2.84 ERA). They even got four decent years out of Killefer who averaged .260 for the North Siders.  

Meanwhile, Prendergast won a grand total of 13 games for the Phillies. Dillhoefer played a mere eight games before entering the service during World War I. After the war, he was sent packing to the Cardinals for the 1919 season.

But thanks to one of our readers for pointing out that William Dillhoefer was not just any unknown player. He was “Pickles” Dillhoefer, owner of one of the greatest baseball nicknames ever. As a matter of fact, when the Sporting News did an article in 2001 about players with the best baseball nicknames, “Pickles” Dillhoefer was rated #1.

A little research revealed that the nickname was tagged on young Bill Dillhoefer by his friends while growing up in Cleveland. Apparently, the combination of “Dill” and “Pickle” was just too much for his friends to pass up.

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Pickles didn’t have the greatest career. But, as we’ve said many times, anyone who makes it to the majors is special. So we’re glad to shine our baseball spotlight on “Pickles” Dillhoefer for just a brief moment.

In parts of four seasons in the majors (1917-1921), Pickles hit .223, with no home runs, and 48 RBIs. After playing on minor league teams in the Cleveland Industrial League (which included teams with great names like the “American Can” team, and the “Cleveland Twist Drills”), scouts became impressed with his strong arm, speed, and energy. He made his major league debut with the Cubs on April 16, 1917.

As World War I approached, Pickles chose to enlist rather than wait to be drafted, saying: “I am happy to say I did not take a job in a munitions factory or a shipyard or something that would make me exempt.” A true patriot, he valued his service and later became a member of the American Legion.

A 5’8”, 155 pound catcher who drew comparisons to the White Sox’ Ray “Cracker” Schalk, Pickles was known for his feisty nature. With the Cardinals, he once drew a three-game suspension for a tirade against umpire Bill Brennan. Later the same year he got into a fist-fight with former teammate Frank “Poncho” Snyder.”

Tragically, in 1920 Pickles contracted typhoid fever, which developed into pneumonia and affected his gall bladder. Following surgery, Dillhoefer died on February 23, 1921, aged 28, just six weeks after his wedding. At his funeral, he received full military honors. Among his pallbearers was Branch Rickey. 

Pickles Dillhoefer played in an era of colorful baseball nicknames. A casual glance through the teams he played on reveled the following teammates and nicknames:

Possum” Whited, “Dode” Paskert, “Shufflin Phil” Douglas, “Laughing Larry” Doyle, “Dutch” Reuther, “Rowdy” Elliott, “Hippo” Vaughn. “Beauty” Bancroft, “Cactus” Gravath, “Dots” Miller, “Rajah” Hornsby, “Irish” Meusel, “Specs” Torporcer, “Spittin’ Bill” Doak, “Tink” Riviere, “Pop” Haines, and “Raindeer Bill” Killefer.

Check out the photo gallery above to see photos of some of Pickles’ teammates with great baseball nicknames!

Gary Livacari 

Photo Credits: All from Google search

Information: Excerpts and quote edited from SABR Bioproject article on Pickles Dillhoefer by Chris Rainey: https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/3c8bc149

Check out my two books, both now available on Amazon in e-book and paperback:  “Paul Pryor in His Own Words: The Life and TImes of a 20-Year Major League Umpire”and “Memorable World Series Moments.” All profits go to the Illinois Veterans Foundation