Major League Baseball Player. Affable on and off the field, Crooks was known for his ‘cannon arm' and quick reflexes while playing second base. After three seasons playing for the Columbus Solons of the American Association, Crooks, a native of St. Paul, Minnesota, became a highly sought after trade commodity. In 1892 he signed with the St. Louis Browns, who were embarking on their first season in the National League after a decade of play in the American Association. Crooks became Captain of the team and was also one of six men to manage the ‘Brownies' that season, as the team went 24-22 on his watch. Always cocky and sure of his own capabilities, he once made an open challenge to any player in the National League that he could out throw them from the 2nd base position. Working as a cigar salesman for a St. Louis tobacco house in the off season, he eventually quit the game in 1898 to work there full time. He continued to play ball at the minor league level, notably with Columbus and Buffalo. In 1900 he was offered a contract to play for a Western League club but turned down the offer since his cigar sales job proved to be more lucrative. Crooks always maintained that he was forced to retire early due to vision problems sustained while playing on a bad sun field during his days with Washington. In the early 1900s he toyed with the idea of making a comeback, but was unable to find a baseball job to his liking, although he did maintain a keen interest in the game. He played in several charity games with his old friend Cap Anson in the St. Louis area, and at various times dabbled in semipro ball. Over the course of his major league career, he batted .240 with 21 homers and 313 RBI. He died in an insane asylum in St. Louis at the age of 42.