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Bill Holbert

Catcher
  • Series: Beginnings: 1880's
  • City: Brooklyn
  • Team: Bridegrooms
  • League: American Association

William Henry Holbert (1855-1935). Holbert was a catcher for 6 teams over 12 seasons and is perhaps best known as the player with the most career at bats without a home run (2,335). While a good defender, Bill was a weak hitter compiling a career BA of .208, with .228 OBP, .232 SLG, and an OPS+ of 47.

  • One of the original umpires of the Player’s League in 1890
  • Of his 486 hits, only 48 were for extra bases

Auction History

Paul Hines

Outfield
  • Series: Beginnings: 1880's
  • City: Washington, D.C.
  • Team: Nationals
  • League: National League

Paul Aloysius Hines (1855-1935). A hearing-impaired center fielder for 16 professional seasons, Hines accumulated the most hits in the first 5 years of National League history and, upon his retirement in 1891, was 3rd all-time in hits behind Cap Anson & Jim O’Rourke.

  • Won baseball’s 1st Triple Crown: 1878
  • May have recorded the 1st unassisted triple-play in history
  • Twice won the batting title
  • Hines' uniform color in this card was changed from black to blue in May, 2017 to reflect recent reliable research conducted by Craig Brown and friends at Threads of Our Game. Nine cards had been previously released featuring a black uniform.

Auction History

John Henry

Pitcher
  • Series: Beginnings: 1880's
  • City: Philadelphia
  • Team: Quakers
  • League: National League

John Michael Henry (1863-1939) was a pitcher and outfielder with 4 major league teams for 4 seasons between 1884 & 1890. He compiled an overall .243 batting average in 218 at bats. He was 4-14 on the mound with a 4.09 ERA, one shut-out and 18 complete games. Henry began his time in the big leagues with the Cleveland Blues in the franchise’s final year. In ’85 Henry moved to the Orioles where he was part of a large supporting cast to the club’s ace, Hardie Henderson who recorded 60 decisions. The following year found Henry in D.C. with the cellar-dwelling Washington Nationals who played at the Swampoodle Grounds where their surroundings were as murky as their prospects. Henry’s swan song came with the NY Giants in ’90 where he played little as Amos Rusie and Jesse Burkett dominated the roster.

  • Henry came to the major leagues in good company. He was sold by Hartford of the Eastern League to Washington with Connie Mack and three others for $3500
  • A native of Springfield MA, Henry was interred at Mount St Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield CT
  • Henry’s uniform color on this card was changed in June, 2017 from black/red to blue/red to reflect recent reliable research by Craig Brown & friends at Threads of Our Game. Six cards were previously released featuring a black uniform.

Auction History

Guy Hecker

Pitcher
  • Series: Beginnings: 1880's
  • City: Louisville
  • Team: Colonels
  • League: American Association

Guy Jackson Hecker (1856-1938) went 6 for 6 in one game, hit 3 HRs in another, and won the AA batting title in 1886. He also pitched a no-hitter. His WHIP wasn’t eclipsed until Pedro Martinez edged out his mark in 2000. In ’84 Hecker was the triple-crown winner with 52 wins, 385 SOs and a 1.85 ERA. Small wonder he is regarded as the best pitcher-hitter of the 19th Century.

  • Played almost exclusively for Louisville, finishing his career in 1890 with the Alleghenys
  • Lifetime 2.92 ERA, 1,100 strikeouts, and a record of 175-146
  • Guy’s uniform color on this card was changed in February, 2017 from black to maroon to reflect recent reliable research by Craig Brown & friends at Threads of Our Game. Nine cards had been previously released featuring a black uniform.

Auction History

Egyptian Healy

Pitcher
  • Series: Beginnings: 1880's
  • City: Indianapolis
  • Team: Hoosiers (NL)
  • League: National League

John J. Healy (1866-1899) hailed from Cairo, IL and was also nicknamed “Long John” for his slender 6’2” frame. He began in pro ball with the St. Louis Maroons, the only close-to-ML-quality team in the Union Association’s only season. His career was marked by being the best pitcher on poor teams, including the AA’s Toledo Maumees and the Indianapolis Hoosiers.

  • The “ace” of the Hoosiers in ’87 with a 12-29 record, most losses in the NL
  • Recognized by Albert Spalding for his talent, joined the “world tour” of 1888-89

Auction History