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Induction
Information
Elected to Hall of Fame by Veterans Committee in 1971, Player
Born: August 4, 1867, in Hannibal, Missouri
Died: June 25, 1918, in Kansas City, Missouri
ML Debut: 6/20/1888
Primary Position: First Baseman
Bats: L Throws: L
Played For: Pittsburgh Alleghenys (1888-1889), Pittsburgh
Burghers (1890), Pittsburgh Pirates (1891-1896), New York Giants
(1896-1897), Cincinnati Reds (1897-1903), St. Louis Cardinals
(1904-1907)
Bio
A skilled hitter and solid first baseman, Jake Beckley’s career
would span 20 seasons over two centuries and multiple National
League squads. He had 13 seasons where he hit over .300 and would
bat .309 during a career that began in 1888. He totaled 2,930 career
hits, including 246 triples. He also holds the career record for
put-outs by a first baseman with 23,709. Beckley’s total of 2,376
games at first base is second to Eddie Murray.
Quote
"He was so good at 'laying down' the ball that he had a trick of
his own whereby he would flip the bat, grab the meat end of the club
in his hands and bunt the ball perfectly with the handle of the
bat."
— Ed O'Neill, Courier Post 1971
Did You Know... that Jake Beckley was an umpire in the
Federal League in 1913, one year before the short-lived circuit
became a major league? |