[1] Born in Sac City, Iowa, Zahniser started his professional career in 1918 with the Toledo Iron Men,[2] and later he consistently won 20 or more games while pitching in the Southern Association, including 15 straight during one stretch.

[3] He made his major league debut with the Washington Senators in 1923, and pitched as both a starting pitcher and in relief.

[4] He did not play in the World Series,[4] and was traded before the 1925 season, along with Roy Carlyle, to the Boston Red Sox for Joe Harris.

Zahniser made a one-game re-appearance in the majors with the Cincinnati Reds, pitched one inning, and gave up three earned runs.

[2] Zahniser died at the age of 68 of a self-inflicted gunshot[6] in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and is interred at Oakland Cemetery in his hometown of Sac City.