As the league pennants were filled with less drama this season in comparison with most seasons, the baseball world was entranced with some historic performances at the plate. None bigger then the newest superstar of the game, 21 year old Willie Keeler of the Washington Senators.
Fans have wondered for years if any hitter in the game would be able to bat over the elusive .400 mark over the course of a long season. Many have tried like Dan Brouthers and Ross Barnes but never has anyone been able to get there. Willie Keeler not only reached the .400 mark, but shattered the single season batting record with the unthinkable mark of .417.
Keeler had 167 hits in 400 atbats and got five hits in his last 10 atbats including a 4-5 day against the Athletics to close out the season. Everyone in Washington could be heard on the streets and in the homes proclaiming "Go Wee Willie" as the petite hitter has come to be known.
Keeler, a Brooklyn native, is in his third season with the Senators and has already showed a great ability to put the bat on the ball for solid contact in any situation. Keeler .302 last season but no one expected him to put togehter the kind of season he did in 1893.
"I love to hit" said Keeler, "for me there was really no stress in this batting race, I just take each time at the plate as doing my job and helping my team win."
In a unbelievable season for batter Keeler wasnt the only man to acomplish the .400 mark. Tuck Turner of the Philadelphia A's also had an incredible hitting season and in some people's eyes had an even better season then Keeler. In 480 atbats Tucker had 185 hits and ended with a .406 batting average.
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THOMPSON SETS HIT MARK
216 hits!
The year of the hitter could be seen in Chicago as well as the star of Sam Thompson continues to grow. Thompson had a season to remember and set the all time record in hits with 216 topping the previous record of 210 set by Jack Glasscock in 1888.
Thompson led the league in a number of offensive catagories including RBI (125) and runs (126). The 125 RBI by Thompson tied the record by George Wood who set it in 1887.
The other Chicago Colts statistics for 1893 show a great offensive year but a team that struggled with injuries and especially their pitching.
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| Catchers | | # | B | Player | Pos | G | AB | H | HR | RBI | R | BB | K | .AVG | OBP | SLG | | 90 | R | Nin Alexander | C | 16 | 54 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 5 | .185 | .237 | .278 |
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| Injuries | | Player | Injury | Out for... | Disabled List Status | | 1B Cap Anson | broken bone in elbow | 4 weeks | On DL, eligible for return (60-day DL) | | P Ed Morris | sore shoulder | 8 weeks | 50 day(s) left (60-day DL) | | C Bill Bowman | plantar fascitis | 2 weeks | 6 day(s) left | | P Cyclone Miller | shoulder inflammation | 3-4 weeks | On DL, eligible for return (60-day DL) | | SS Ed Sales | elbow tendinitis | 2 weeks | On DL, eligible for return | | C Billy Earle | fractured foot | 2 days | On DL, eligible for return | | P Charlie Geggus | torn rotator cuff | 8 months | On DL, eligible for return (60-day DL) |
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