With great speed, good defense and a knack for getting on base regularly, Hub Collins was one of the top second baseman in the American Association and National League – right up to the point that he died in the prime of his career. Welcome to life in the 19th Century. Collins played for the … Continue reading Grave Story: Hub Collins (1864-1892)
Egyptian Healy was not from Egypt, though his baseball career did take him there. He was a pitcher won once won 20 games in a season – and lost 20 games in a season four times. Healy played for the St. Louis Maroons (1885-86), Indianapolis Hoosiers (1887-88), Washington Nationals (1889), Chicago White Stockings (1889), Toledo … Continue reading Grave Story: Egyptian Healy (1866-1899)
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 Sammy Strang, who could have been a world-renowned operatic singer or a decorated war hero. Instead, thanks to a love of baseball, he became one of the game’s earliest pinch-hitters. His long association with the game also led to long tenures as a coach and a minor-league team owner. He played for the … Continue reading Grave Story: Sammy Strang (1876-1932)
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)
Here lies Mike Kelley, one of the most important figures in the history of Twin Cities minor-league baseball. He was one of the last of the independent minor-league team owners. He also was a first baseman for the Louisville Colonels in 1899, the last year Louisville had a major-league team. Michael Joseph Kelley was born … Continue reading Grave Story: Mike Kelley (1875-1955)
Here lies Harry Pulliam, who rose from a journalist to become the president of the National League from 1903-09. Sadly, the stress of the job and the conflict between his idealistic baseball beliefs and the realities of the game, led Pulliam to take his life. (Editor’s note: This story covers a suicide and some rather … Continue reading Grave Story: Harry Pulliam (1869-1909)
LOST--ONE BASEBALL PLAYER: PITCHER by inclination; apparently sound in wind and limb, and answers to the name of "Rube." Address all communications to Connie Mack, manager Philadelphia American League ball club, present keeper.The Inter Ocean (Chicago, Ill.), August 10, 1902. Here lies Rube Waddell, one of the most dominating pitchers in the game — when … Continue reading Grave Story: Rube Waddell (1876-1914)
Here lies Warren Fitzgerald, a bit of a mystery man who pitched for the Louisville Colonels in their last season in the American Association and their first in the National League (1891-2). The grave is unmarked but is roughly in the location of the baseball in the picture (in front of the tree in the … Continue reading Grave Story: Warren Fitzgerald (1868-1930)
Here lies “Bald Billy” Barnie, a catcher/outfielder who went on to manage until the day he died. Literally. He played for the Hartford Dark Blues (1874), Keokuk Westerns (1875) and New York Mutuals (1875) of the National Assn. and the Baltimore Orioles (1883, 1886) of the American Assn. He also managed the Orioles (1883-91), Washington … Continue reading Grave Story: Billy Barnie (1853-1900)
RIP Baseball 