Honus Wagner

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Lore & Background

Wagner won a joint-record eight NL batting titles, led the league in slugging six times, stolen bases five times, and RBIs four times. He played at least ten career games at every position except pitcher and catcher. With Pittsburgh, Wagner appeared in two World Series, including the inaugural 1903 World Series and 1909 World Series, the latter of which was the Pirates' first World Series title. After a brief stint as player-manager, Wagner retired in 1917 having set numerous MLB career records, extra-base hits (996), most runs scored (1,739), most games played (2,794), most hits (3,420), most total bases (4,870), and most at-bats (10,439), all of which would be broken by Ty Cobb in the following decade. He also retained many other NL career records for decades, including most triples (252, still a league record), most stolen bases in the modern era (703) until 1927, most runs scored until 1944, most doubles (640) until 1958, and most hits until 1962. Wagner still ranks in the top 10 for hits, doubles, triples, stolen bases, and WAR among all major league players; and among National League record holders, he maintains his ranking in the top 10 players for games played, at-bats, runs scored, runs batted in, and total bases.

In Their Own Story

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the dirt of Forbes Field, illuminating the dust kicked up by a sprinting figure. Honus Wagner rounded second base, his eyes locked on third. The crowd roared, a familiar sound that had accompanied him for nearly two decades. He didn't just run; he glided, a blur in gray and black. As the throw came in from center field, Wagner slid into the bag with effortless grace, popping up instantly to signal the next play. There was no hesitation, only the pure instinct of a man who knew every inch of this diamond better than his own home.

Reader's Guide

Wagner remained involved with baseball after retirement, serving as a coach for the Pirates. During his tenure, he helped tutor future Hall of Famers Arky Vaughan and Ralph Kiner. He was widely praised by contemporary players and journalists alike for his playing ability.

Did You Know?

• Wagner is the subject of the T206 Honus Wagner baseball card, one of the rarest baseball cards in existence. One specimen sold for $7.25 million, putting it on the list of most expensive sports cards.
• Wagner's older brother Albert "Butts" Wagner, who had a brief major league career himself, is often credited with getting Honus his first tryout.
• In 1898, Wagner won a distance contest in Louisville by throwing a baseball more than 403 feet (123 m).