On April 24, 1946 — Former major leaguers Jesse Burkett, Frank Chance, Jack Chesbro, Johnny Evers, Clark Griffith, Tommy McCarthy, Joe McGinnity, Eddie Plank, Joe Tinker, Rube Waddell and Ed Walsh are inducted into the Hall of Fame.
In a career linked with Cy Young, Jesse Burkett played for the Cleveland Spiders in the 1890s, where he set records for hits and batting. He twice topped the .400 mark, and scored 100 runs or more nine times. He earned his nickname “Crab”, not because of his playing style, but due to his surly disposition.
Frank Chance managed and starred for the Cubs when they weren’t the lovable losers fans have grown accustomed to today. He played on and led four Cub pennant-winners, including the 1906 squad that set an all-time record with 116 regular season wins. He was forced to retire from the game when he developed chronic headaches from several beanings. A natural leader, Chance refused to accept anything less than complete loyalty from his players. When Heinie Zimmerman, ten years older than Chance, challenged Chance’s decision during a game, the Cub skipper took Zim into the clubhouse and pulverized him. As a manager, Chance demanded perfection, a trait which alienated some of his players, but produced amazing results. From 1906 thru 1910, the Cubs won 530 games and posted a .693 winning percentage – the best five-year record in the history of baseball. During his playing days, Chance was the first baseman in the famed trio of “Tinker to Evers to Chance,” each of whom ended up in Cooperstown.
Jack Chesbro won 41 games in 1904, but it was his 12th loss that everyone remembered. On the final day of the season, the Highlanders (later to become the Yankees), were trailing the Puritans (later the Red Sox) by a game and a half, with a doubleheader scheduled. Chesbro started the first contest and was battling in a tie game when his wild pitch (some claimed passed ball) allowed the winning run to score. The New Yorkers never came as close to a pennant in their next 16 seasons.
Jack Chesbro won 41 games in 1904, but it was his 12th loss that everyone remembered. On the final day of the season, the Highlanders (later to become the Yankees), were trailing the Puritans (later the Red Sox) by a game and a half, with a doubleheader scheduled. Chesbro started the first contest and was battling in a tie game when his wild pitch (some claimed passed ball) allowed the winning run to score. The New Yorkers never came as close to a pennant in their next 16 seasons.
