- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Pittsburgh
- Team: Alleghenys
- League: National League
James Harding Henderson (1862-1903) could have been nicknamed “Hard-Luck” Henderson instead of Hardie. He is one of only 34 pitchers of the 1870s and 1880s to achieve 200+ decisions. Unfortunately, most were losses (81-121 over his six-year major league career with four teams). Hardie came up with the NL’s Quakers in 1883 and was rudely treated in his debut by the Providence Grays and one Charles Radbourn. Old Hoss made Hardie one of the 48 notches on his belt that year, prepping for the glory of “59 in ‘84." Philadelphia soon shuffled Henderson off to Baltimore where he would achieve ignominy in a number of categories: most losses in ‘85 with 35; most walks in ‘84; most hits, walks and runs surrendered in ‘85; not to mention twice leading the league in wild pitches. Nevertheless, the guy won 81 games in a mere six seasons and compiled a lifetime 3.50 ERA, so the losses couldn’t have all been his fault.
- In a curious bit of morbid irony, the Library of Congress lists Hardie Henderson as a member of the Brooklyn Trolley-Dodgers - for his 1888 Kimball Campions (N184) card - when the team was actually known as the Grays. The borough of Brooklyn wouldn’t be known by that Manhattan put-down until 1895 - the year the team adopted the Trolley-Dodger nickname. Unfortunately for this man who has been posthumously misidentified as a trolley-dodger, Hardie perished under the wheels of a Philadelphia trolley while making his way home from work at a pool hall at the tender age of 40
- Henderson's uniform color in this card was changed from black & red to blue & red in March, 2017 to reflect recent reliable research conducted by Craig Brown and friends at Threads of Our Game. Two cards had been previously released featuring a black uniform.
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Pittsburgh
- Team: Alleghenys
- League: National League
William J. Kuehne (1858-1921) came out of the German-American semi-pro clubs of Chicago to begin his career in truly professional baseball with the Columbus Buckeyes of the American Association in 1883. After a month of dreadful play at 2nd base, his manager replaced him. Having a hole at 3rd, he gave Willie one more try. Kuehne found a home at the hot corner. What followed was a ten-year career in MLB in which the otherwise light-hitting but solidly-built (and not known for speed) Kuehne played as though every day was “triple or nothing.” His lifetime .232 average belied a penchant for three-baggers. His record for “most triples in a season without hitting a home run” (19 in 1885) lasted until another Willie--Keeler--tied it in 1897. SABR’s David Nemec has documented several other odd “firsts” set by Kuehne: “lowest slugging average with at least 100 triples,” four straight seasons with more triples than doubles, and most triples (115) in history by a player with fewer than 4500 plate appearances. One in every nine hits went for three.
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Pittsburgh
- Team: Alleghenys
- League: National League
William Charles Farmer (1864-1928) had a very brief major league career as a catcher for two teams in 1888. He played first for the Pittsburgh Alleghenys of the National League and got into two games with four at bats. He then moved across state to the Philadelphia Athletics of the American Association where he played in three games and got two hits in 12 plate appearances. He drove in one run. Such was the lot of this would-be big leaguer, a “career average” of .125. Bill did better when he moved west to the St. Paul Apostles in 1889. He was behind the plate for 28 of his 63 games and batted .272. He even showed some speed with 38 steals. He was on the team’s roster the following year but performance data is lacking. Similarly, for Farmer’s first minor league assignment in 1887 with the Shamokin Maroons in the Central Pennsylvania League, we know only that he was on the team.
- High Heat Stats has compiled a list of all the Emerald Isle-born players who made it to MLB. Farmer, of Dublin, is one of only 44 on that roll
- The Goodwin editors point out a somewhat mournful stat for Mr. Farmer: he was featured in more Old Judge card poses (5) than he had hits in his major league tenure (2)
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Pittsburgh
- Team: Alleghenys
- League: National League
George Frederick Miller (1864-1909) had an outstanding ten-year career in Pittsburgh before closing his ML tenure with his best offensive years. He played from age 18 with Harrisburg until 38 as player-manager for the Dayton Veterans of the Central League. As a big-league catcher, Miller proved a formidable batter, defender and runner. He could also bring a certain “tenth-man” quality to the field, attested by his nickname “Foghorn.” Miller harassed opponents (and umps) mercilessly from near the on-deck circle. And he was versatile, playing substantial innings at third and in the outfield. Doggie compiled an excellent .267 average lifetime, but had terrific years at the plate after leaving the Steel City for the Browns in 1894-95, hitting .339 and .291. He was sold to the Louisville Colonels the following year for $400.
- Per the NY Clipper, Nov 16, 1889: “Miller is one of the most promising and popular young players in the profession and he certainly has a very bright future before him.”
- Other than Doggie and Foghorn, Miller also enjoyed Calliope as a nickname
- Miller has five known Old Judge poses
- Miller’s uniform color on this card was changed in August, 2017 from black to red to reflect recent reliable research by Craig Brown & friends at Threads of Our Game. Six cards were previously released featuring a black uniform.
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Pittsburgh
- Team: Alleghenys
- League: National League
Albert Joseph Maul (1865-1958) pitched in 15 seasons for ten teams from 1884-1901. His career highlight was winning the NL ERA title in 1895 with 2.95. In 13 years in the NL, he compiled an ERA of 4.56, winning 68 and losing 67. In 1898 with the Orioles, Smiling Al went 20-7 with a 2.10 ERA.
- The New York Times said of Maul’s come-back year in ’98: “The most remarkable case on record of a restored glass arm.”
- Ned Hanlon had made Maul his reclamation project in ’98 and took the veteran to Brooklyn the next year, but neither could re-ignite the old magic
Ars Longa Store
Newsletter