Lester Grant Rosson was born on June 28, 1877, in Holmansville in Robertson County, Tenn., to Anthony Foster Rosson and the former M. Elizabeth “Lizzie” Grant. He was the fifth of six children, three girls and two boys. The Rosson's owned a local farm.
While in school and pitching for Gallaudet, Rosson was invited to spring training with Boston of the National League. He was recommended to manager Frank Selee by Lee DeMontreville whose brother Gene played for Boston. The DeMontrevilles grew up in D.C.which is presumably how they knew the Gallaudet pitcher. He lettered at Gallaudet in baseball from 1898-1902.
Rosson joined the Beaneaters in early April at their spring training site in Norfolk, Virginia. Selee, interested, spoke well of his new recruit but never actually used him in a game, as the contest against Yale was canceled. Lester was released within a few days.
He returned to Gallaudet for the college baseball season. In mid-May he signed with New London of the Connecticut State League.Shortly thereafter, he was traded to Bridgeport of the same league for Jack Ahaessey. In total, Rosson appeared in 15 games in the league.
He played in at least one game for Providence of the Eastern League, a 4-1 loss to Hartford on July 29. In August, he joined Albany of the New York State League.
Rosson played his final baseball season with Gallaudet in 1902.Then in late June he rejoined Albany, appearing in four games. He displayed the wildness which would plaque his professional career,allowing 29 hits, 19 base on balls and striking out 21 batters. His final game with the club occurred on July 14. Four days later, he signed with Ilion of the same league, appearing in several games.
In mid-August, Rosson was pitching for Potsdam, a semi-pro club in Vermont. He spent the entire 1903 season with Wheeling of the Class-B Central League, appearing in 49 games.
In the spring of 1904, Rosson coached baseball at Gallaudet. In March, Wheeling sold him to Nashville in the Southern Association.On April 9, he finally showed the Beaneaters what he could do,defeating them 7-4.
Regardless, he was released by Nashville on June 4 and then joined Charleston of the South Atlantic (SALLY) League within a week. He finished the season with the club, posting a 9-4 record in13 games.
Rosson returned to Charleston in April 1905, until being traded on June 6 to Columbia of the same league.
Did you know:
Lester is the only Gallaudet alumni that was in professional baseball.
1902* - Did not graduate, year listed was expected graduation year
Passed away: May 18th, 1955
