Jim Keenan typifies the experience of the earliest professional baseball player. He played for five teams in three professional leagues for 11 seasons over a span of 17 years. Oh, and he played at seven different positions during that time, too. Major League Baseball is professional, regimented, orderly and specialized now, but that hides its … Continue reading Grave Story: Jim Keenan (1856-1926)
Here lies Guy Hecker, the only pitcher to ever win a batting title. He’s also one of two players to lead the league in both batting and ERA – Babe Ruth being the other. Hecker played for the Louisville Eclipse/Colonels of the American Association (1882-89) and was a player/manager for the Pittsburgh Allegheneys (1890). Guy … Continue reading Grave Story: Guy Hecker (1856-1938)
Here lies Ed Springer, who pitched one game in the major leagues, for the Louisville Colonels of the American Association in 1889. The rest of his short life is largely a mystery, but thanks to some modern-day SABR research, we know a little more about him. Edward Ellsworth Springer was born in 1867 – the … Continue reading Grave Story: Ed Springer (1867-1891)
RIP Baseball 