Joe Mulvey (1883-1895) – Third baseman who batted .261 for his career and committed six errors in one game on July 30, 1884

Joe Mulvey (1883-1895) – Third baseman who batted .261 for his career and committed six errors in one game on July 30, 1884



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Despite being a solid third baseman, Mulvey shares a rather dubious record with five other players – the most errors (six) by a third baseman in a game set on July 30, 1884 in a 12-6 loss against the Boston Beaneaters. He was a career .261 average with his best year being in 1890 when he batted .287, hit five home runs and batted in 87 runs. He also stole 20 bases that year. 


He broke in with the Providence Grays in 1883 but after just four games he was traded to the Philadelphia Quakers (today’s Phillies) where he stayed until 1892 when he moved to the Washington Senators for one season. After he retired Mulvey returned to Philadelphia where he took a job as night watchman at Shibe Park.

I think one of the reasons this photo is one of my favorites is Mulvey’s glove, which was at a time when some players were still playing barehanded.

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