Tinker to Evers to Chance

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Tinker to Evers to Chance Photo Gallery
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                                                           Tinkers to Evers to Chance…to Steinfeldt??

Somehow, that doesn’t have the same poetic ring to it!

Harry Steinfeldt, seen in the photo gallery, is the only member of the Cubs’ infield from 1906-1910 – which included Hall-of-Famers Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and Frank Chance – who was left out of Franklin Pierce Adams’ famous poem “Baseball’s Sad Lexicon.”

Steinfeldt played 14 seasons in the major leagues for the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, and Boston Rustlers. As a youth, Steinfeldt initially thought of entering into a theatrical career. While touring Texas in a minstrel show, Steinfeldt played baseball in a town where his show was performing. His success on the field led him to sign his first professional contract, debuting with the Houston Magnolias of the Class B Texas-Southern League in 1895. The next year, he played for the Galveston Sandcrabs and Fort Worth Panthers of the Class C Texas Association. In 1897, Steinfeldt played for the Detroit Tigers of the Class A .Western League.

In October 1897, the Cincinnati Reds purchased Steinfeldt’s contract and he made his major league debut for the Reds in 1898 as a utility infielder. In 1901, Steinfeldt became the Reds’ starting third baseman. Over the course of his career, he hit .267 with 1576 hits, and 762 RBIs. He led the National League in doubles in 1903 with 32. On October 24, 1905, the Reds traded Steinfeldt to the Cubs. He led the National League in hits in 1906 with 176 and tied for most runs batted in with 83. His .327 batting average finished second, behind Honus Wagner’s .339. He was the third baseman on the Cubs’ three consecutive pennants of 1906, ’07, and ’08, and again in 1910, including the World Series championships of ’07 and ’08. Steinfeldt set a major league record with three sacrifice flies in a game in 1909.

On April 5, 1911, the St. Paul Saints of the American Association purchased Steinfeldt from the Cubs, and then on May 25 traded him to the Boston Rustlers. Steinfeldt fell ill in July 1911, leaving the team in what was later identified as a nervous breakdown. The Rustlers released Steinfeldt after the season.

In 1912, Steinfeldt returned to minor league baseball. He managed the Cincinnati Pippins of the United States Baseball League, but the league folded in midseason. ]He also played for the Louisville Colonels of the American Association, but was released in May. In June, he became the manager of the Meriden Metropolitans of the Cotton States League. Steinfeldt died in Bellevue, Kentucky after a long illness, at the age of 36.

Steinfeldt’s career statistatics compare favorably to his Hall-of-Fame teammate, Joe Tinker, who played for 15 seasons, hitting .262, with 1690 hits, 774 runs, and 785 RBIs. Maybe if his name had more of a poetic ring to it, he’d also be in the Hall of Fame!

-GL

Photo Credits; The Charles Conlon Baseball Collection; and public domain

Information: Excerpts edited from the Harry Steinfeldt Wikipedia page, read more at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Steinfeldt
-Gary Livacari

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