Born February 24, 1874, in Chartiers, Pennsylvania, was baseball Hall of Fame Short Stop Honus Wagner. Wagner played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1897 to 1917, almost entirely for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The "Flying Dutchman" as he was known, won his eighth (and final) batting title in 1911, a National League record that remains unbroken to this day, and matched only once, in 1997, by Tony Gwynn. The legendary Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman that set the standard to what is was to be a solid ball player in the era of the early 20th-Century. His career spanned four decades in the MLB both as a player and a coach.
Sports History
Honus WagnerHonus Wagner
Honus Wagner the Standard for Pittsburgh Baseball
Dominating Hitter & All-Around Player:
-Played primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates and briefly for the Louisville Colonels.
-Won a staggering eight batting titles, a National League record that still stands today (tied only by Tony Gwynn in 1997).
-Boasted a career batting average of .328 with over 3,400 hits and 1,700 RBIs.
-Led the league in slugging percentage six times and stolen bases five times, showcasing his offensive prowess and base-stealing skills.
Defensive Versatility:
-Primarily played shortstop, but could excel at any position on the field except catcher.
-His agility and defensive skills solidified his reputation as a complete player.
World Series Champion & Hall of Fame Induction:
-Played a crucial role in leading the Pirates to their first World Series victory in 1909.
-Earned his place among the greats by being among the first five players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.
Legacy:
-Honus Wagner is considered one of the greatest baseball players ever.
-His longevity, consistency, and well-rounded skills earned him immense respect from fans and fellow players.
-He remained involved in baseball after retirement, serving as a coach for the Pirates and influencing future generations of players.
Honus Wagner, nicknamed "The Flying Dutchman," was a baseball legend who played shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1897 to 1916. Renowned for his exceptional hitting (.328 career average) and slick fielding, he won eight batting titles and led the National League in stolen bases five times. He is widely considered one of the greatest shortstops, and possibly players, of all time, earning a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936. His rare baseball cards are among the most valuable in the hobby.
This Day In Baseball June 9
1914 - Honus Wagner becomes the first player in baseball’s modern era to reach 3,000 hits.
1934 - Boston hurler Lefty Grove becomes the first pitcher in major league history to yield six doubles in one inning.
1946 - Ted Williams hits the longest homerun at Fenway Park.
1963 - Ernie Banks drills three HRs including two off Sandy Koufax.
May 14 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 3 - 37 - 7 May 14, 1913 - Washington Senator pitcher Walter Johnson, had his amazing MLB record of scoreless innings str...
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May 13 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 22 - 21 May 13, 1942 - Who says pitchers can't hit? Boston Braves Pitcher, Number 22, Jim Tobin smacked 3 ball...
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May 12 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 27 - 17 - 14 May 12, 1910 - Ace pitcher and future Hall of Fame player of the Philadelphia Athletics, Charles Bender thr...
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May 11 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. May 11, 1897 - Washington Senators catcher Charles Duke Farrell threw out 8 Baltimore runners that attempted to steal a b...
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May 10 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 5 - 44 - 4 - 7 - 6 - 8 - 23 - 44 - 15 - 9 May 10, 1946 - Joe DiMaggio hit a Grand Slam to provide all of the offense for the ...
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May 9 Numbers
Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 4 - 5 -19 May 9, 1901 - Cleveland Blue's rookie pitcher, Earl Moore threw a no-hit ballgame for a full nine innings...
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