1907 Key Retirees - Batters
Charlie Frank, LF, Cardinals
Frank was a threat in the Cardinals lineup, often batting 4th or 5th, for many seasons. He was the 1893 Rookie of the Year. He finished in the Top 10 in home runs three times, RBI three times, walks three times, batting average four times, OBP six times, SLG five times, OPS six times and WAR four times.
Mike Grady, C, Phillies
Grady was the primary catcher for Philadelphia through most of their dynasty years. He ranked in the Top 10 in triples twice - not bad for a catcher!
Billy Hamilton, CF, Phillies
Hamilton was one of the most disruptive forces on the base paths and perhaps the most adept at reaching base in the history on MLHR. He won the 1891 BoY Award and three consecutive Gold Gloves in center field from 1888-1890. He led the league in stolen bases eight times, runs scored eight times, walks eight times, OBP five times, WAR twice and triples once. He also won two batting titles in 1896 and 1897. He is the all-time MLHR leader in runs (2041), stolen bases (1129), walks (1899) and OBP (.404).
Hughie Jennings, SS, Dodgers
Jennings was a 7-time Gold Glove winner at perhaps the most demanding position - shortstop. He also retired as the all-time leader among shortstops in hits (2686). He finished in the Top 10 in hits eight times, doubles four times, triples eight times, stolen bases thirteen times, runs twice and WAR eight times.
Bill Joyce, 1B, Dodgers
Joyce was the 1890 RoY and 1894 BoY. He was known as a low average, high power, high strikeout guy but he also had a keen ability to draw walks. He was the most intimidating batter in the Dodgers lineup for about 16 years and is one of only seven players to eclipse the 500 home run plateau. He led the league in home runs four times and finished in the Top 10 an impressive 15 times. He also led the league in walks and slugging once each, OPS twice and yes, even strikeouts twice. He finished in the Top 10 in OBP eight times, which is particularly impressive when you consider his lifetime batting average was just .251.
Mike Smith, RF, Pirates
Smith was an understated but integral part of the Pirates roster for an impressive 21 seasons. He surpassed the 3,000 hit mark giving him the most of any right fielder. He also leads all right fielders in runs (1748) and walks (1520) by a significant margin - almost doubling the next highest right field total in walks. He also leads all right fielders in career stolen bases and strikeouts. He led the league in OBP and OPS in 1887. He also finished in the Top 10 in triples six times, stolen bases seven times, runs five times, walks twelve times, batting average twice, OBP six times, and OPS twice.
Joe Sullivan, SS/2B, Phillies
Sullivan was a bench player throughout the heart of Philly's dynasty years. He was known for his bat much more than for his glove and in 1904 he had his moment in the spotlight. He began that season among the batting race leaders and most people expected him to fade as the season wore on. He did not, instead finishing second with an impressive .323 average, not to mention 21 HR and 80 RBI.
Bobby Wallace, SS, Cardinals
Known strictly for his glove, Wallace manned the shortstop position in St. Louis for thirteen seasons, although he won only one Gold Glove. He finished in the Top 10 in strikeouts seven times.
