Sam Thompson: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1974

Born: March 5, 1860

Debut: July 2, 1885 (Detroit Wolverines)

1887: Wolverines win World Series

1887: Set MLB record 166 RBI (since broken)

1887: Won batting title (.372)

1889: Sold to the Philadelphia Phillies

1889: First 20/20 player in MLB history

1894: Hit for cycle

1894: Played in all .400 hitting outfield in history (Tuck Turner, Ed Delahanty)

1894: Hit .415

1894: .415, 32 doubles, 28 triples, 13 HR, 147 RBI, 27 SB, 1.161 OPS            

1895: 165 RBI (Only player with 150+ RBI in the 19^th century)

1895: .392, 18 HR, 165 RBI, 211 hits, 131 runs, 45 doubles, 21 triples, 1.085 OPS, 352 TB

1898: Injuries led to his retirement

1906: Returned for 8 games with the Tigers at age 46

1922: Died

1974: Elected to Hall of Fame (Vets Committee)

2001: His great-great grandson, Chris Thile, released an album with the song “Big Sam Thompson”

Accomplishments:

1887 Batting Champ

2x HR Champ

First 20/20 player in MLB history

Only man with 150+ RBI in the 19^th century

.331 Average

1262 runs

1988 hits

343 doubles

161 triples

126 HR

1305 RBI

451 walks-234 strikeouts

.384 OBP

.505 slugging

.890 OPS

3031 TB

100+ Runs: 10x

200+ hits: 2x

30+ doubles: 5x

40+ doubles: 2x

10+ triples: 7x

20+ triples: 3x

10+ HR: 6x

20 HR (1889)

20+ SB: 7x

Hit .300: 7x

Hit .350: 4x

.415 (1894)

.400 OBP: 4x

.500 slugging: 4x

.600 slugging: 2x

1.000+ OPS: 2x

300+ TB: 4x

Led league in AB: 2x

Led league in hits: 3x

Led league in doubles: 2x

Led league in triples (23): 1887

Led league in HR: 2x

Led league in RBI: 2x

Led league in slugging: 3x

Led league in TB: 2x

John Ward: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1964

Born: March 3, 1960

1873: Went to Penn State

1874: Parents died, he became a salesman, but played semi-pro ball

1878: Offered contract with Grays

Debut: July 15, 1878 (Providence Grays)

1880: Began to play positions other than pitcher

1880: Pitched Perfect Game (The next NL Perfect Game-1964)

1880-94: Managed on and off for several teams

1881-2: Arm injury

1882: Pitched 18 inning shutout vs. Detroit Wolverines

1883: Signed with New York Gothams (Giants)

1884: Arm injury ended pitching career

1885: Became everyday shortstop

1885: Earned law degree from Columbia University

1885: Formed first player’s union (Brotherhood of Professional Base Ball Players)

1890: Helped form the Player’s League

1890: Jumped to Brooklyn Ward’s Wonders

1891: Signed with Brooklyn

1893: Purchased by Giants

1894: Retired and became a lawyer

1914: Became official in Federal League

1901-25: Became involved in pro golf as a player and official

1925: Died

1964: Elected to Hall of Fame

Accomplishments:

164-103

2.10 ERA

262 starts-245 CG

Perfect Game (1880)

1878 Pitching Title

2469.2 IP

1.043 WHIP

24 SHO

Won 20+ games: 3x

39 wins (1880)

Led league 47 wins (1879)

Led league in win % (.712): 1879

Sub 2 ERA: 2x

Led league in ERA (1.51): 1878

Led league in SHO (8): 1880

200+ strikeouts: 2x

Led league in strikeouts (239): 1879

0.918 WHIP (1880)

.275

26 HR

869 RBI

1410 runs

2107 hits

421 walks-326 strikeouts

540 steals

.655 OPS

Led league in games: 3x

100+ runs: 5x

12 triples (1890)

Led league in SB:2x

30+ steals: 9x

40+ steals: 6x

50+ steals: 5x

60+ steals: 3x

111 steals (1887)

Hit .300: 3x

Postseason: .400, 0 HR, 13 RBI, 16 steals, .897 OPS (2 series)

As a Manager: 412-320 (.563)

Dan Brouthers: Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 1945

Born: May 8, 1858

1877: While playing semi-pro ball, he collided with catcher Johnny Quigley killing the other player. He was cleared of any wrong doing.

Debut: June 23, 1879

1881: Traded (?) to Buffalo Bisons

1881: Won Home Run Crown (8)

1882: Won batting title

1883: Won batting title

1885: Sold to Detroit Wolverines

1886: Won Home Run Crown (11)

1887: Wolverines win championship

1888: Sold to Boston Beaneaters

1889: Won batting title

1891: Won batting title

1892: Traded to Brooklyn Grooms

1892: Won batting title

1894: Traded with Wee Willie Keeler to Orioles

1895: Sold to the Louisville Cardinals

1895: Sold to the Phillies in December

1904: Played final game with Giants

Died: August 2, 1932

1945: Elected to Hall of Fame

1999: Society for Baseball Research named him 6^th best player of 19^th century.

Accomplishments:
.342 career hitter

1887 World Champion

5x batting champ

Hit .300: 16x

Hit .350+: 6x

1523 runs scored

100+ runs: 8x

Led league in runs: 2x

2296 hits

Led league in hits: 3x

30+ doubles: 8x

40+ doubles: 2x

Led league in doubles: 3x

460 career doubles

205 career triples

Led league in triples with 17 (1883)

10+ triples: 11x

20+ triples: 3x

106 home runs

Led league in home runs: 2x

10+ HR: 3x

1296 RBI

100+ RBI: 5x

Led league in RBI: 2x

256 (known) stolen bases

30+ steals: 5x

840 walks-238 strikeouts

.423 career OBP

Led league in OBP: 5x

.400+ OBP: 11x

.519 career slugging

.500+ slugging: 11x

3484 Total bases

Led league in total bases: 4x

Pitching:
0-2 7.83 ERA