He later taught the spitball to Ed Walsh and Jack Chesbro, both of whom were elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Despite pitching to a 14–1 win–loss record in 1899,[2] Kansas City released Stricklett to the Wheeling Stogies of the Class-B Interstate League in 1900.

[3] Stricklett split the 1900 season with Wheeling and the Toledo Mud Hens, also of the Interstate League, pitching to a 13-8 record.

[2] In 1901, Stricklett pitched for the Toledo Swamp Angels of the Western Association and Sacramento Senators of the California League, compiling a 27-22 record.

[2] The Chicago White Sox of the American League (AL) invited Stricklett to spring training in 1904, where he roomed with Ed Walsh.

[2] The Boston Americans of the AL purchased the rights to Stricklett in August 1904, but allowed him to remain in Milwaukee.

[7] The Brooklyn Superbas of the National League (NL) chose Stricklett from Milwaukee after the 1904 season in the Rule 5 draft.

[1][8] He debuted with the Superbas in the 1905 season, pitching to a 9–18 record and a 3.34 earned run average (ERA) in 237+1⁄3 IP.

[14] As the California League was not recognized in organized baseball at this time, Stricklett was banned by MLB for four years.

Stricklett was fined $100 ($3,157 in current dollar terms) for playing outside organized baseball for the previous three years.