1874 – Honus Wagner, who would later emerge as one of baseball’s greatest players, was born in Chartiers, Pennsylvania.
Wagner’s prowess on the field was evident from the start, showcasing an impressive batting average of .328 throughout his tenure with the Louisville Colonels and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Spending 21 seasons in the league, Wagner became known as the epitome of excellence in baseball. Renowned for his versatility, he excelled in every aspect of the game, demonstrating exceptional skills in hitting, base running, and fielding.
Wagner’s consistency at the plate was unmatched, achieving a .300-or-better batting average for an astonishing 15 consecutive seasons from 1899 to 1913. His remarkable achievements included eight National League batting titles, seven NL doubles titles, five stolen base titles, and four RBI titles during this period. Additionally, he led the league in slugging percentage six times and on-base percentage four times.
Retiring after the 1917 season, Wagner left behind a legacy of impressive statistics, amassing 3,420 hits, 643 doubles, 1,739 runs, 1,732 RBIs, and 723 stolen bases.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the sport, Wagner was among the inaugural class of Hall of Fame inductees in 1936. He passed away on December 6, 1955, leaving an indelible mark on the history of baseball.
1966 – The Atlanta Braves sign Tom Seaver to a bonus contract worth $50,000. One week later, Commissioner Spike Eckert will void the contract, citing rules about signing amateur players during their college seasons. On April 3, Eckert will hold a lottery to determine which of three teams, the Cleveland Indians, New York Mets or Philadelphia Phillies, will win the right to negotiate with Seaver. The Mets win the lottery and Seaver helps lead them to a World Series title in 1969.
1990 – Former Red Sox slugger Tony Conigliaro dies of pneumonia and kidney failure at the age of 45. Conigliaro, the youngest American League player ever to reach 100 career home runs, was nearly blinded by a 1967 beaning when he was hit in the face by a pitch that caused a severe eye injury and derailed his career.
