Un-sung record holders

[GeoPoto]

In his mid-30s, Jumbo Cartwright had a couple of decent years hitting in the National League for the Washington Nationals. But in 1890 as a 30-year old "rookie" with the St. Louis Browns (now Cardinals), he had 7 RBIs in one inning, a record that would last 109 years. His record was finally broken in 1999 by Cardinals-player Fernando "Bodacious" Tatis.
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1590958543

[GeoPoto]

Bill Joyce was an excellent player for 8 MLB seasons in the 1890's. He had a career OBP of .435 with 822 runs scored and 266 stolen bases in 4,163 plate appearances. Despite leading the NL in home runs in 1996, he didn't play in MLB after 1898, his year-30 season. But, in 1891 he reached base in 64 consecutive games, a record not broken until 1941. In addition, in 1897 he had four triples in one game, a record he still holds in a tie.
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1590959550

[GeoPoto]

Scoops Carey played two full MLB seasons, one with Baltimore and one with Washington, and small pieces of two others. He couldn't hit well enough to stay long, but boy could he field first base -- he is the only player in MLB history to lead two different leagues in fielding percentage in a two-season career.
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1590960508

[sbfinley]

My favorite go-to piece of trivia is Earl Webb's record 67 doubles in 1931 so it is blowing my mind that I just now realized that I don't believe he has a period issued card! If he does I can't find one...

[RCMcKenzie]

I was thinking of triples when I saw this thread. Chief Wilson hit the most in a season with 36. Dave Orr is second with 31. Similar to the famous JFK quote about going to the moon..."not because they were fast, but because they were slow..." Here are a couple of Orr. I have some more cards of both of these guys that I will try and find and scan and post later this week. Also, Jose Cruz, tied with others for most triples with the bases loaded with 8. Cruz was fast.

[GeoPoto]

Lave (Lafayette Napoleon) Cross had a long and productive career spanning 21 MLB seasons with 2,651 hits, but a career OPS+ of 100. When he retired in 1907, he was second to Anson in career hits. His record for assists at 3B was broken by Eddie Mathews in 1946. Since 1900, Cross is the only player to have more than 100 RBI's (he had 108) without hitting a home run. In 1896, Hughie Jennings knocked in 121 runs without a home run. But I don't have a Jennings card.
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1591006324

[triwak]

Originally Posted by sbfinley

My favorite go-to piece of trivia is Earl Webb's record 67 doubles in 1931 so it is blowing my mind that I just now realized that I don't believe he has a period issued card! If he does I can't find one...

Really? No period cards??? That's crazy (and a shame). I have often thought about picking one up, simply BECAUSE of his record.

[milkit1]

Bob Bescher STILL holds the Reds single season record for stolen bases with 81 in 1911. A National league record that lasted 50 years.20200318_113005.jpg

[GaryPassamonte]

Ross Barnes- 1.91 runs per game in 1876 and 1.4 runs per game for his career are records that still stand.

[GeoPoto]

Cliff Blankenship did nothing noteworthy during three MLB seasons. He had an OBP of .249 in 234 plate appearances spread across the three years. He had a total of four doubles and a triple. But, in 1907, his second year in the bigs, he was picked by his manager to go to Idaho and look over a 19-year old, who was burning up the Snake River Valley Semi-Pro League. Once Blankenship saw Walter Johnson pitch, he signed him on the spot for $500 -- Johnson said he would agree to the deal if Blankenship promised him train fare home in case he didn't make it. Blankenship's response was "Kid, a one-way ticket’s all you’re gonna need."
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1591560172

[Hankphenom]

Unsung and presumably unrecorded. Germany Schaefer stole first base not once but twice in a game in 1911. He stole second in-between, and said he should be credited with three steals in one attempt.

[GeoPoto]

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

Germany Schaefer stole first base.

What made Rickey the GOAT was not that he stole all those bases, but that "you can't steal first base" -- his OBP was incredible, especially leading off. The last thing any pitcher wanted to do was to let him get on base. And yet you could "steal" first base, until Schaefer prompted an explicit rule making it unallowable.
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1591617481

[cammb]

I remember reading that Richie Allen had two inside the park home runs in a game.

[birdman42]

Blankenship got sent to Idaho because he was injured at the time. Earlier on that trip he signed Clyde Milan, who became Walter's roommate and was their regular center fielder from 1908-1921. Milan got the bigger signing bonus.

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by GeoPoto

Cliff Blankenship did nothing noteworthy during three MLB seasons. He had an OBP of .249 in 234 plate appearances spread across the three years. He had a total of four doubles and a triple. But, in 1907, his second year in the bigs, he was picked by his manager to go to Idaho and look over a 19-year old, who was burning up the Snake River Valley Semi-Pro League. Once Blankenship saw Walter Johnson pitch, he signed him on the spot for $500 -- Johnson said he would agree to the deal if Blankenship promised him train fare home in case he didn't make it. Blankenship's response was "Kid, a one-way ticket’s all you’re gonna need."
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1591560172

Cliff Blankenship was the first player born in Columbus to make it to the Majors.

.

[Jim65]

Love this thread

[perezfan]

This one is much more recent, but I always found it pretty incredible...

The only man to hit a ball completely out of Dodger Stadium was Willie Stargell. And he did it twice!

[GeoPoto]

Wildfire Schulte was an excellent player during the prime of his career, though not as good after his age-33 season. He played in four World Series for the Chicago Cubs and hit .321 as Chicago won two of the four series. He led the NL in home runs twice and RBI's once. In 1911 he was the NL MVP and the first player in MLB history to have more than 20 doubles (30), triples (21), home runs (21), and stolen bases (23). It was 56 years before the feat was repeated, this time by Willie Mays.
https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1592510848