Sam Thompson is born in Danville, Indiana.

Sam Thompson is born in Danville, Indiana.

ByTom

1860 – Sam Thompson is born in Danville, Indiana. An outstanding slugger and a fine right fielder in the deadball era, Thompson will collect 200 or more hits three times, finishing his 15-season major league career with a lifetime mark of .336, 126 home runs, and 1299 RBI, including a batting crown (1887) and two home run titles (1889 and 1895). Thompson will be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1974.

John Montgomery Ward is born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania

John Montgomery Ward is born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania

ByThis Day in Baseball

1860 – John Montgomery Ward is born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. During his illustrious career in the majors, Ward will hit for a .371 batting average twice, will win 40-plus games as a pitcher twice, including the second perfect game in baseball history, will be the captain and manager of the first and original New York Giants, and will be one of the prime movers in the constitution of the Brotherhood and of the Players League. Ward will gain election to the Hall of Fame in 1964.