Schmidt was born in Coal Hill, Arkansas and began his professional playing career in the Missouri Valley League in 1902. Joining the Tigers in 1906, Schmidt shared playing time with two other catchers on the team\'s roster, John Warner and Fred Payne, in baseball\'s first season-long platoon arrangement. The following season, he became the team\'s starting catcher as the Tigers won three consecutive American League pennants from 1907 to 1909.\n', '

Schmidt had 6 hits and 5 RBIs in three World Series from 1907 to 1909. He also holds the dubious distinction of having committed five errors and allowed 16 stolen bases during the 1908 World Series—both records which still stand today.\n', 'Schmidt also made the last out in consecutive World Series in 1907-08, the only player ever to do so. Both World Series were won by the Chicago Cubs—the last World Series the Cubs won until 2016. Schmidt also let the 3rd strike with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth of Game 1 of the 1907 Series get away, allowing a run to score, which tied the game. After 12 innings the game was called on account of darkness and the game was ruled a tie. Also, in the 1907 World Series, Schmidt gave up a record 7 stolen bases in Game 3, the most against one catcher in one Series game.\n', '

Schmidt\'s best season was 1908, in which he had career highs in hits (111), runs batted in (38), walks (16), and batting average (.265). In 477 career games, Schmidt batted .243 with 360 hits and 3 home runs. He also served as a base umpire in three games in 1906-07, as active players were often used as substitute umpires.\n', '

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