with the Giants. One sportswriter in 1917 observed: "For let it be known Poll Perritt is a temperamental cuss. Just what he is going to do nobody ever knows. . . . The great trouble with Perritt heretofore has been failure to look upon his profession in all the seriousness characteristic of genius." Perritt held out at the start of the 1919 season, suggesting he may leave baseball to devote his full attention to oil wells that he owned in Texas. In mid-May, John McGraw finally persuaded him to return. However, Peritt was unable to get into shape and pitched only 19 innings during the 1919 season with a career-high 7.11 ERA. He quit the team and went home in August, and a newspaper account at the time reported that Perritt "had been practically useless all season, having been unable to get into condition." Despite having appeared in only 19 innings and having left the team early, Perritt appealed to the National Commission for a full share of the Giants' prize money for finishing in second place. The New York players were not pleased with Perritt's action, but agreed to a settlement, giving Perritt a half share. After the 1919 season, Perritt announced that he was retiring from baseball to attend to his oil interests. Perritt did appear in four games late in the 1920 season with the San Antonio Bears in the Texas League. He was recalled to the Giants on September 24, 1920, and appeared in eight games, all as a relief pitcher, at the end of the 1920 season. Despite the lack of playing time, Perritt compiled a career best 1.80 ERA in 15 innings pitched for the 1920 Giants. On October 22, 1920, Perritt also pitched a 2–0 shutout in an exhibition game in Cuba against the Havana team. One writer, after watching Perritt pitch in Cuba, wrote: "Perritt's arm seems to be as good as it ever was and I look forward to him to be a help to the Giants next year." Perritt returned to the Giants in the spring of 1921. He appeared in five games for the club, compiling a 2–0 record despite an ERA that rose from 1.80 in 1920 to 3.86 in innings pitched in 1921. Detroit and minor leagues In June 1921, the Giants sold Perritt to the Detroit Tigers. He appeared in four games and pitched 13 innings