Poole was born in Canton, Ohio. He started his professional baseball career in 1897 and played in the Interstate League for four seasons. In 1900, he went 20–15 for the Wheeling Stogies. He also played in the infield and outfield when he didn\'t pitch and batted .257. Poole was then acquired by the Pirates and made his Major League debut in October of that year.\n', '

In 1901, Poole pitched sparingly for Pittsburgh, making 10 starts and going 5–4. The Pirates won their first National League pennant. In April 1902, Poole was traded to Cincinnati and immediately had his greatest success in the Major Leagues. He made 16 starts for the Reds and completed all 16, while going 12–4 with a 2.15 earned run average.\n', '

In 1903, Poole suffered from a sore arm early in the season. His record dropped to 7–13, and his ERA went up to 3.28. He was sold to Brooklyn in 1904, but the reasons for the trade apparently had nothing to do with his pitching. According to the Reds\' president, Garry Herrmann, Poole had a habit of reading books in the dugout.\n', '

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