Background
Friend was born on April 18, 1873 in Cincinnati.
Friend was born on April 18, 1873 in Cincinnati.
He made his Major League debut with the Chicago Colts on September 10, 1895 against the New York Giants. He pitched in five games for the Colts in 1895, starting all five. His earned run average was slightly worse than league average.
Friend was the Colts" Opening Day starting pitcher in 1896.
Friend had his best season in 1896. He pitched in 36 games, starting 33.
In 1897, Friend had another big season in which he pitched in 24 games, starting all 24. Friend"s final Major League season was in 1898.
He pitched in only two games for the Colts, losing both with an earned run average of 5.29.
However, he did have a minor league career that extended until 1908. In the minors, he pitched for the Providence Grays in 1901 and 1902, the Peoria Distillers in 1903, the New Bedford Whalers from 1904 through 1906, and the Independence Champs in 1907. In 1908, he pitched for three minor league teams: the Columbia Gamecocks, the Norfolk Tars and the Lynchburg Shoemakers.
As a hitter, he had a career batting average of.256, a career slugging percentage of.283 and a career on-base percentage of.332 in 238 at bats.
Friend died on June 1, 1942 in Chillicothe, Ohio.