Johnny Evers

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Evers was born in Troy, New York. After playing for the local minor league baseball team for one season, Frank Selee, manager of the Cubs, purchased Evers's contract and soon made him his starting second baseman. Evers helped lead the Cubs to four National League pennants, including two World Series championships. The Cubs traded Evers to the Braves in 1914; that season, Evers led the Braves to victory in the World Series, and was named the league's Most Valuable Player. Evers continued to play for the Braves and Phillies through 1917. He then became a coach, scout, manager, and general manager in his later career. Known as one of the smartest ballplayers in MLB, Evers also had a surly temper that he took out on umpires. Evers was a part of a great double-play combination with Joe Tinker and Frank Chance, which was immortalized as 'Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance' in the poem 'Baseball's Sad Lexicon'. Evers was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1946.

In Their Own Story

The atmosphere at West Side Grounds turned tense during a pivotal game against the New York Giants in the 1908 pennant race. Al Bridwell hit what appeared to be a game-winning single, sending runner Fred Merkle from first base toward home. Instead of touching second base as required, Merkle headed straight for the clubhouse. Evers, spotting the error, shouted for the ball. He received the throw and tagged second base before Merkle could return, prompting the umpire to call him out. The National League president ruled the game a tie, forcing a makeup game which the Cubs won, securing their pennant. In the 1908 World Series against Detroit, Evers batted .350 (7-for-20) as Chicago won four games to one. Earlier in his career, he faced personal tragedy; on May 20, 1910, he was involved in a car accident where his friend George A. Macdonald was killed by a trolley car. The sight of Macdonald's crushed skull overwhelmed Evers with grief, leading to what he later called "my first touch of nervous prostration." Compounded by financial ruin from the Emerson Shoe Company collapse, these events contributed to a nervous breakdown in 1911 that limited him to just 46 games that year. Despite these struggles, he rebounded in 1912 to bat .341 and lead the league with a .431 on-base percentage.

Reader's Guide

Evers made his professional debut in minor league baseball for the Troy Trojans of the Class-B New York State League in 1902 as a shortstop. Evers reportedly weighed less than 100 pounds, and opposing fans thought he was part of a comedic act. Evers batted .285 and led the New York State League with 10 home runs. Frank Selee, manager of the Chicago Cubs, purchased Hardy's and Evers's contracts for $1,500. Evers made his MLB debut with the Cubs on September 1, 1902. He helped lead the Cubs to four National League pennants, including World Series championships in 1907 and 1908. In 1914, he was traded to the Boston Braves and led them to a World Series victory, winning the Chalmers Award as MVP. He played through 1917, then became a coach, manager, and scout.

Did You Know?

• Evers weighed less than 100 pounds when he debuted in the minor leagues with the Troy Trojans.
• Frank Selee purchased Evers's contract from the Troy Trojans for $1,500, along with pitcher Alex Hardy.
• Evers led the NL in putouts by a second baseman in 1906 with 344, but did not lead the league in errors that year.
• Evers led the NL in assists by a second baseman in 1907 with 500, not in 1904.
• Evers played for the Chicago Cubs from 1902 through 1913, then was traded to the Boston Braves in 1914 and played through 1917.