Happy Birthday Honus!
The Valley of Boston wants to wish an iconic baseball player, and brother, a happy birthday! There have been many great players over the history of America’s Pastime, but only five can say that they were the first to be inducted into Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame. Join us in wishing a happy 143rd birthday to Honus Wagner!
The Valley of Boston wants to wish an iconic baseball player, and brother, a happy birthday! There have been many great players over the history of America’s Pastime, but only five can say that they were the first to be inducted into Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame. Join us in wishing a happy 143rd birthday to Honus Wagner!
Born to German immigrants, Johannes Peter Wagner was one of nine children that grew up together in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. His nickname was given to him by his mother who called him “Hans” that eventually evolved into Honus. Wagner, who grew up in a time before child labor laws, was forced to drop out of grade school at the age of twelve to help his father and brothers make ends meet by working in a coal mine. In their freetime, the Wagner boys would play baseball in a local sandlot. This was the catalyst for several young Wagners to become professional baseball players.
Honus received his shot at the big leagues after playing for several years in inter-state leagues and almost a dozen different teams. He was given his first chance on the big stage with the Louisville Colonels. He finished his rookie season in 1897 with a .313 batting average over 61 games. When the National League shrunk from twelve to eight clubs, Honus was among the few players to be taken from the Colonels to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Wagner settled down into the shortstop role for the Pirates, and is widely credited as being the best to ever play the position. His speed was something to marvel at as he is the first player to be credited with the first official steals of second base, third base, and home (officially since the rule change that counted stolen bases didn’t change until 1899). Wagner played until 1917 and accumulated several records and even won a World Series in the process.
When the Baseball Hall of Fame held its first election in 1936, Honus tied for second in the voting with Babe Ruth, both trailing Ty Cobb. This short and stocky shortstop is considered by many to be the greatest to ever play the position.
Honus Wagner was a member of Centennial Lodge No. 544 in Pennsylvania. He lived his life married to Bessie Baine Smith and the father of three girls, Elva Katrina, Betty Baine, and Virginia Mae. Wagner passed away on December 6, 1955, at the age of 81.
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