It is quite possible that Honus Wagner was one of the most complete players of all time. His name is often evoked in conversations about the best players ever.
On December 6, 1955, one of the Hall of Fame’s original members, Honus Wagner, dies at the age of 81. Considered by some the greatest shortstop in history, Wagner batted .327 over a 21-year career before gaining election to the Hall of Fame in 1936.
“Realization that you now count your years at the four score mark reminds me, with something of a shock, that it was fifty years ago that I used to follow your batting average with the keenest of interest.” – DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, 34th President of the U.S congratulating Honus Wagner on his birthday.Dwight Eisenhower sends a letter labeled “personal and confidential” to Honus Wagner, wishing the former Pirates’ shortstop a happy 80th birthday. The Hall of Fame infielder was the president’s boyhood hero when he was growing up in Abilene, Kansas.
Honus Wagner announces his retirement after a lifetime in baseball
Shortly before his death in 1948, Babe Ruth, in an interview with The Saturday Evening Post, picked an all-time all-star team, minus the right fielder—though he offered some suggestions. “I just don’t want to pick myself,” he said. His most surprising omission, however, was that of Lou Gehrig. You’re probably thinking: “Maybe he went with…
AUGUST 6, 1944. At an Old Timers Game in Shibe Park, Philadelphia, the following stars (L-R) of yesteryear meet and play together: Bill Dickey, George Sisler, Frank “Home Run” Baker, Connie Mack, Lefty Grove, Honus Wagner and Walter Johnson. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Game ticket & learn more about the players, teams, stadiums and dates in history …
War Bond Game, August 26, 1943, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Walter Johnson, Tris Speaker, Lefty Grove, Connie Mack, Eddie Collins, Al Simmons, Bill Dickey, George Sisler, and Homerun Baker stand in uniform before an Old Timers All Star game.
“The 76-year-old gray-haired man puffed contently on an ancient, battered pipe,” wrote Burton Hawkins of The Washington Star, referring to Cy Young, whom he interviewed in May 1943. The sprightly septuagenarian—MLB’s career leader in wins (511), losses (315), complete games (749), innings (7,356), and batters faced (29,565)—discussed a variety of topics with Hawkins, including pitching,…
On June 12, 1939, an awe-inspiring collection of baseball’s greatest stars and legendary figures gathers in Cooperstown, New York for the official dedication of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner and the late Christy Mathewson, all of whom had been elected to the Hall of Fame’s inaugural class…
Baseball Writers’ Association announces the results of the first Hall of Fame vote
April 20, 1930 – In today’s issue of the Chicago Tribune‚ writer Irwin Howe names his all-time all-star team based on his 42 years of observing baseball: Babe Ruth‚ RF; Tris Speaker‚ CF; Ty Cobb‚ LF; Cap Anson‚ 1B; Eddie Collins‚ 2B; Honus Wagner‚ SS; Pie Traynor‚ 3B; Ray Schalk‚ C; Cy Young‚…
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