Honus Wagner, Part One: Some Yellow in Him

Honus Wagner, Part One: Some Yellow in Him The greatest shortstop of his era makes the last out of the first World Series, and a Boston writer questions his courage. On October 13, 1903, Honus Wagner struck out to end the first modern World Series. Six days later, The Sporting News printed a Boston writer’s verdict that “Old Honus has some yellow in him.” In the same paragraph, the writer praised Wagner’s fielding and base running. This episode follows Wagner from a coal town outside Pittsburgh to five minor-league towns in the single summer of 1895. One of them was Adrian, Michigan, home of the Page Fence Giants, where a 1930 recollection raises a question the record can’t answer. From there it goes to Louisville, to Pittsburgh, and to a 1903 Series lost to a pitching staff that fell apart. It ends in October 1909 against Ty Cobb. The reporter The Sporting News sent to Game One saw Wagner walk over and shake Cobb’s hand. In This Episode The $35 telegram and the late-night coal train to Steubenville Adrian, 1895: George Wilson, Vasco Graham, Bud Fowler, and the “colored battery” recollection Ed Doheny’s breakdown during the 1903 World Series The “yellow” charge, word for word, from The Sporting News Cobb in 1909: “I have never seen him play, but… he must be a wonder” By The Numbers 1 for 14: Wagner in the last four games of 1903 .333 to .231: Wagner against Cobb in the 1909 Series 6: stolen bases in the 1909 Series, a record for 58 years 29,264: paid attendance at Game One, 1909 Sources The Sporting News (October 17 and 24, 1903; October 14 and 21, 1909; December 14, 1955); A.D. Suehsdorf, “Honus Wagner’s Rookie Year, 1895,” The National Pastime (1987); Jan Finkel, SABR BioProject; Moments of Joy and Heartbreak (SABR); Nineteenth Century Stars (SABR). Disclaimer: Baseball Hall of Fame Lives is an independent production and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Keywords: Honus Wagner, Flying Dutchman, Pittsburgh Pirates, 1903 World Series, 1909 World Series, Ty Cobb, Page Fence Giants, Bud Fowler, Deacon Phillippe, baseball history, Hall of Fame 1936