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Honus Wagner Photo Gallery
Click on any image below to see photos in full size and to start Photo Gallery:

: Classic Honus Wagner from the Brace collection

: Honus Wagner colorized by Don Stokes

: Honus Wagner colorized by Don Stokes

: 1912, Heine Wagner out at second base

: Honus Wagner at the plate

: Honus Wagner

: Wagner and Cobb

: Cobb and Wagner

: Pie Traynor and Honus Wagner

: Arky Vaughan, Gus Suhr, Pie Traynor, Honus Wagner

: Joe Cronin, Honus Wagner, and Bill Terry

: Honus Wagner

: Wagner with a little fan

: Honus Wagner in the last years of his life

: Honus Wagner early in his career with the Pirates

: Honus Wagner batting in game, Roger Bresnahan catching

: Deacon Phillippe later in life with teammate Honus Wagner and wife

: Max Carey, Honus Wagner, George Gibson

: Bill Dickey, George Sisler, Frank “Home Run” Baker, Connie Mack, Lefty Grove, Honus Wagner, Walter Johnson

: Wagner running out a hit

: Wagner later in his long career as a Pirate coach from the Charles Conlon collection

: Cobb and Wagner, the two greatest stars of the Dead Ball Era

: Wagner later in life with wife Bessie

: Honus Wagner from the 1940’s. On the left is Jim Russell, who played for the Bucs from 1942-51; and on the right is Frank Colman, a Pirate from 1942-46.

Birthday Tribute to the Great Honus Wagner, Born February 24, 1874

Thanks to our resident baseball artist, Don Stokes, for calling to our attention that today is the birthday anniversary of Honus Wagner. He was born 148 years ago today. Don has also come through with a beautiful colorization of the great Dutchman.

Before I get into some of his career highlights, here’s a few quotes about the ball player many consider one of the best – if not the best – ever:

“When he fielded grounders, his huge hands also collected large scoops of infield dirt, which accompanied his throws to first like the tail of a comet.” –Baseball Library, Honus Wagner page.

“He was a gentle, kind man, a storyteller…He was the most beloved man in baseball before Ruth.” – Historian / Author Bill James

“He was the nearest thing to a perfect player no matter where his manager chose to play him. The way to get a ball past him is to hit it eight feet over his head.” – John McGraw

“Spike Honus Wagner? It would have taken quite a foolhardy man.” – Ty Cobb

“There is something Lincolnesque about him, his rugged homeliness, his simplicity…” – Sportswriter Arthur Daley

Honus Wagner, “The Flying Dutchman,” played 21 seasons in the major leagues (1897-1917). He started with Louisville (1897-1899) and then the rest of his career was with the Pirates (1900-1917). Wagner managed the Pirates in 1917, and then became a coach for 39 years (1933-1951). Arky Vaughan, Ralph Kiner, Pie Traynor were some of his notable pupils.

Wagner later in career

Over his career, Wagner hit .329, with 3400 hits (7th all-time), 101 home runs, 1732 RBIs (21st all-time), 722 stolen bases (10th all-time), and a .391 on-base percentage. He won eight batting titles (tied for the most in National League history with Tony Gwynn). He was a five-time National League leader in RBIs and also in stolen bases; a six-time slugging leader; and was the star of four pennant winners and the 1909 World Series.

On June 9, 1914, at the Baker Bowl, Honus Wagner became the second player ever to collect 3000 hits when he doubled off the Phillies’ Erskine Mayer. Cap Anson was the only other major leaguer to have 3000 hits by this date.

There’s always been much debate as to who was the better player, Cobb or Wagner. Cobb is frequently cited as the greatest player of the Dead Ball Era, but many of their contemporaries regarded Wagner as the better all-around player; and many baseball historians consider Wagner to be the greatest shortstop ever. Cobb himself called Wagner “maybe the greatest star ever to take the diamond.”

Honus Wagner’s number 33 has been retired by the Pirates. He was selected to both the major league All-Century team and the All-Time team. Honus Wagner was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1936 as one of the first five members.

Gary Livacari

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Photo Credits: Featured photo colorization by Don Stokes; All others from Google search

Information: Stats from Baseball Reference.com

2 Comments

Bill Schaefer · February 24, 2022 Reply

Glad Stokes reminded you Gary–loved the Wagner quotes! The Cobb sentiment speaks volumes and those stats are awesome.

The dirt laden Wagner throw forming a comet-like tail, as it winged its way to first, brings back the memory of a 9 year-old kid (me) playing third base in a pick-up game at Tomaques Park in Westfield, NJ.

I was at third base and playing with kids 2-4 years older than me. A ground ball was smacked directly at me, which I fielded cleanly. The batter, 13, was trotting to first and smiling. I’m thinking, “Why is he jogging and smiling? I’ll throw him out by a mile.” Then I looked across the diamond and realized, “Oh no, I can’t make the throw!” I wound up and fired a three-hopper as my friend easily crossed the bag, still smiling.

127 feet across the diamond is a helluva heave for a 9 year-old. I wonder if Honus could have thrown it that far at that age?
- Gary Livacari · February 24, 2022 Reply
  
  Interesting thoughts and reflections, Bill…thanks!