Sports History

Born August 31, 1875, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher Eddie Plank. This legend was a World Series champion in 1910, 11, 13 with the Philadelphia Athletics. After fourteen seasons with the A's Eddie signed on with the St. Louis Terriers in 1915, and the St. Louis Browns in 1916 and 1917. Plank was the first lefty to reach the 200 and 300 win plateaus and still sits in third place in the record books for southpaw victories at 326. Passing away in 1926 from a stroke, Eddie Plank was posthumously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946 by the Veterans Committee.

Born July 1, 1857, in Waterbury, Connecticut was Baseball Hall of Fame First Baseman, Roger Connor. Roger had the career Home Run record of 138 stood for 23 years. Connor was NL batting champion 1885 and NL RBI leader 1889 with the New York Giants. Oddly enough though he played for several teams, Connor was responsible for the New York Gothams becoming known as the Giants. His play in New York was the longest of all the teams he played on but also found on the rosters of the Philadelphia Phillies (1892), and the St. Louis Browns (1894–1897).

Rogers Hornsby, nicknamed "The Rajah" for his aloof personality and perceived sense of royalty, carved his name into baseball history not with flashy power hitting but with an unmatched dedication to getting on base. This essay explores the remarkable career of Hornsby, who redefined hitting excellence and left an indelible mark on the game.

Born in 1897, Hornsby's path to baseball stardom wasn't conventional. After a brief stint in the minor leagues, he landed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1915. While initially a backup, Hornsby's exceptional hitting prowess soon became evident. His unorthodox batting stance, with his feet almost parallel, belied a remarkable ability to make consistent contact and spray line drives across the field.

Hornsby's rise to dominance was meteoric. He led the National League in batting average seven times, including an astounding four consecutive seasons hitting over .400 – a feat unmatched in modern baseball. 1924, he reached the pinnacle, batting a staggering .424, the highest single-season average in the National League since 1894.

Beyond batting average, Hornsby excelled in other offensive categories. He won four RBI titles and led the league in on-base percentage a staggering nine times. His ability to get on base at an elite clip and solid base running made him a nightmare for opposing pitchers. While not a prolific home run hitter, Hornsby possessed a well-rounded offensive skill set that terrorized defenses for over two decades.

Hornsby's leadership qualities were fiercely debated. While some admired his dedication and focus on winning, others found his personality abrasive and his demanding nature off-putting. Despite these complexities, his impact on the teams he played for was undeniable. He led the St. Louis Cardinals to two World Series appearances in 1926 and 1931, winning the championship in 1926.

Hornsby's playing career spanned 23 seasons, during which he amassed a staggering .358 lifetime batting average, second only to Ty Cobb in baseball history. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1942, a testament to his unmatched hitting prowess.

Rogers Hornsby's legacy transcends statistics and accolades. He revolutionized the concept of hitting not by raw power but by a meticulous approach focused on contact and consistency. He was a player who demanded the most of himself and his teammates, forever etching his name in baseball history as a true hitting legend and a dominant force during his era. Though his personality may not have endeared him to everyone, his relentless pursuit of hitting excellence and remarkable on-field achievements solidified his place as one of the greatest hitters ever to grace the game.