| Spider Clark | |
|---|---|
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| Utility player | |
| Born: September 16, 1867 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. | |
| Died: February 8, 1892 (aged 24) Brooklyn, New York, U.S. | |
Batted: Unknown Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 2, 1889, for the Washington Nationals | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| October 4, 1890, for the Buffalo Bisons (PL) | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .262 |
| Home runs | 5 |
| Runs batted in | 47 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
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Owen F. "Spider" Clark (September 16, 1867 – February 8, 1892) was an American professional baseball player. He played two seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB): 1889 for the Washington Nationals of the National League and 1890 for the Buffalo Bisons of the Players' League. While he was primarily an outfielder, he played every position at least once, including one game as a pitcher for the Bisons. He was the first MLB player nicknamed "Spider."
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Clark started playing professional baseball in 1887. Signed by the Nationals in 1889, he made his MLB debut on May 2. An injury to his catching hand limited his playing time, but he appeared in 38 games for the team, batting .255. The team ceased to exist after the 1889 season, but Clark joined the Bisons of the newly formed Players' League for 1890. According to Sporting Life, his skill as a first baseman made him a favorite of the fans. He appeared in 69 games with Buffalo, batting .265, but his second season would be his last. Diagnosed with tuberculosis in late 1890, he missed the 1891 season because of the disease and died of it on February 8, 1892.