• Card series: Pioneer Portraits II: 1875-1899
• City: Louisville
• Team: Colonels
• League: National League
• Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame

Johannes Peter Wagner (1874-1955) was, simply, the greatest shortstop who ever played the game. The Pittsburgh icon was among the first five selections to Cooperstown in 1936 in recognition of overall prowess afield, at bat and on base unparalleled in baseball. Even his closest rival for “All-Time Best” honors, Ty Cobb, said Honus was “maybe the greatest star ever to take the diamond.” Badgered mercilessly by ‘Nuf Ced’ McGreevy’s Royal Rooters in the ’07 Series with Boston, Wagner was deeply wounded by his mediocre performance. He achieved some vindication 2 years later, leading the Pirates over Cobb’s Tigers.

• Space doesn’t allow a fair summary of Wagner’s hitting records. A marvel at the plate.
• Was a Pirates’ coach for 39 years, mentoring several future Hall of Famers
• Elected to Hall of Fame: 1936