Trott was born in Maryland in 1859.[1] His father, Samuel E. Trott, was a Maryland native and a carpenter. His mother, Laura J. Trott, was also a Maryland native.[2][3]
Professional baseball
Playing career
Minor leagues
Trott began his professional baseball career in 1877 playing for the Chicago Fairbanks and Philadelphia Athletic clubs in the League Alliance. In 1879, he played for the Washington Nationals.[4]
Boston Red Caps
In May 1880, Trott was purchased from the Nationals by the Boston Red Caps of the National League where he made his major league debut. He appeared in 39 games for the Red Caps, 36 as a catcher, and compiled a .208 batting average.[1]
Detroit Wolverines
In 1881, he joined the newly formed Detroit Wolverines in the National League. He played for the Wolverines in their first three seasons from 1881 to 1883, serving principally as a backup to catcher Charlie Bennett, though he also played 42 games at second base in 1883. In his three seasons with the Wolverines, Trott appeared in 113 games and compiled a .241 batting average with 23 doubles, three triples and 43 runs batted in.[1]
Baltimore Orioles
Trott concluded his major league career by playing four seasons, principally as a catcher, for the Baltimore Orioles. He spent the 1884, 1885, 1887 and 1888 seasons with the Orioles, appeared in 208 games, and compiled a .262 batting average with 46 doubles, 18 triples, three home runs, 71 RBIs, and nine stolen bases.[1]
Managerial career
In 1891, Trott served as the first manager of the Washington Statesmen. In their inaugural season, the Statesmen compiled a 44-91 record and finished ninth (last place) in American Association.[5] Trott was handicapped as a manager by having a pitching staff that compiled a 4.83 earned run average, far above the league average of 3.71.[6]
Later years
By 1900, Trott was living with his wife Emma in Baltimore. They had two children then living with them, Bessie (born August 1890) and Samuel (born March 1900). Trott's occupation was listed as a cigar salesman.[7] Ten years later, Trott was still living in Baltimore with wife, Emma, and they by then had three children, Bessie, Samuel and Dorothy. His occupation in 1910 was traveling salesman.[8] Trott died in Catonsville, Maryland, in June 1925 at the age of 66.[1]
^Census entry for Samuel E. Trott and family. Son Samuel W., age 13. Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Washington Ward 4, Washington, District of Columbia; Roll: M593_124; Page: 689B; Image: 499; Family History Library Film: 545623. Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census [database on-line].
^Census entry for Samuel E. Trott and family. Son Samuel W., age 21, employed as a baseball player. Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia; Roll: 122; Family History Film: 1254122; Page: 122B; Enumeration District: 028; Image: 0248. Ancestry.com. 1880 United States Federal Census.
^Census entry for Samuel W. Trott, born March 1859. Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Baltimore Ward 12, Baltimore City (Independent City), Maryland; Roll: 613; Page: 19A; Enumeration District: 0159; FHL microfilm: 1240613. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line].
^Census entry for Samuel W. Trott, age 49, born in Maryland. Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Election District 9, Baltimore, Maryland; Roll: T624_551; Page: 14B; Enumeration District: 0030; FHL microfilm: 1374564. Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line].
