Vital Statistics:
Born: July 1, 1857 in Waterbury, Conn.
Died: Jan. 4, 1931
Teams: Troy Trojans (1880-1882), New York Gothams or Giants (1883-1889, 1891, 1893-1894), New York Giants - Players Lg (1890), Philadelphia Phillies (1892), St. Louis Browns (1894-1897)
Inducted into Hall of Fame: 1976
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
Primary position: First base
Career Highlights:
- A career .317 hitter and baseball's first home run king, he hit 138 career homers and was passed by Babe Ruth in 1921.
- Hit 10 or more homers seven times, a record for the 19th century, and once hit three homers in one game. Was the first player to hit the ball over the wall at the Polo Grounds.
- Played 18 seasons and drove in 100 or more runs four times, including 130 for the 1889 New York Giants.
- Had great speed as well, and is fifth on the all-time list for triples with 233.
After Retirement:
- Bought minor-league teams in Waterbury, Conn., and Springfield, Mass, playing for the teams until he was 46 in 1903, managing the team and saving himself, as owner, two salaries.
