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amead17 · 08-29-2025, 09:53 AM

HAMILTON STEALS HIS 900TH, BUT BEANEATERS’ WOES CONTINUE

By Samuel T. Kingsley, Sporting Times, June 22, 1901

Boston, June 21 — The Beaneaters faithful filed into the South End Grounds yesterday in hopes of seeing their club halt its recent slide, but instead they were treated to more frustration, as the Chicago Orphans claimed a 9–6 victory. The defeat left Boston with a record of 30–26, and, more troubling still, marked their eighth loss in the last nine contests.

Yet amid the gloom came one flicker of history. In the sixth inning, with Boston trailing 6–2, Billy Hamilton, that celebrated master of the base paths, swiped second for the 900th stolen base of his career. Though the rally fizzled, the moment earned warm applause from the crowd, who understood the magnitude of the milestone.

Hamilton, now 35 years of age and in his 14th season of professional play, has long been regarded as one of the fleetest men to ever don spikes. Since his debut with the Kansas City Cowboys in 1888, he has dazzled for Philadelphia and, in recent years, Boston. While his batting this season has faltered—he is striking at only a .222 clip—his instinct and daring upon the bases remain as sharp as ever.

After the game Hamilton spoke quietly, the weight of the club’s struggles evident in his voice.

“Nine hundred steals may sound a fine thing, but truth be told, I’d give it back if it meant a win for us today. A base stolen only matters if the team makes it count. Right now, we’re not finding the answers. Still, I take pride in having played the game the right way all these years, and I’ll keep running hard for as long as my legs allow.”

Manager Frank Selee, though clearly vexed by his club’s recent fortunes, was quick to pay tribute to his veteran outfielder.

“Hamilton is as clever a runner as the game has ever seen. You cannot teach the sort of instinct he carries. Nine hundred stolen bases—it is remarkable, and all the more so because most men would never dream of such a figure. But Billy is not one for self-praise. He feels the sting of these losses as much as any man, perhaps more. Our charge now is to steady the ship and give him the victories his efforts deserve.”

The Beaneaters, once riding high, now find themselves grasping for consistency. Their supporters can only hope that Hamilton’s milestone might serve as a spark, turning pride in an individual achievement into momentum for the team as June stretches on.

08-29-2025, 09:53 AM	#15
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 8,605	Hamilton Steals History HAMILTON STEALS HIS 900TH, BUT BEANEATERS’ WOES CONTINUE By Samuel T. Kingsley, Sporting Times, June 22, 1901 Boston, June 21 — The Beaneaters faithful filed into the South End Grounds yesterday in hopes of seeing their club halt its recent slide, but instead they were treated to more frustration, as the Chicago Orphans claimed a 9–6 victory. The defeat left Boston with a record of 30–26, and, more troubling still, marked their eighth loss in the last nine contests. Yet amid the gloom came one flicker of history. In the sixth inning, with Boston trailing 6–2, Billy Hamilton, that celebrated master of the base paths, swiped second for the 900th stolen base of his career. Though the rally fizzled, the moment earned warm applause from the crowd, who understood the magnitude of the milestone. Hamilton, now 35 years of age and in his 14th season of professional play, has long been regarded as one of the fleetest men to ever don spikes. Since his debut with the Kansas City Cowboys in 1888, he has dazzled for Philadelphia and, in recent years, Boston. While his batting this season has faltered—he is striking at only a .222 clip—his instinct and daring upon the bases remain as sharp as ever. After the game Hamilton spoke quietly, the weight of the club’s struggles evident in his voice. “Nine hundred steals may sound a fine thing, but truth be told, I’d give it back if it meant a win for us today. A base stolen only matters if the team makes it count. Right now, we’re not finding the answers. Still, I take pride in having played the game the right way all these years, and I’ll keep running hard for as long as my legs allow.” Manager Frank Selee, though clearly vexed by his club’s recent fortunes, was quick to pay tribute to his veteran outfielder. “Hamilton is as clever a runner as the game has ever seen. You cannot teach the sort of instinct he carries. Nine hundred stolen bases—it is remarkable, and all the more so because most men would never dream of such a figure. But Billy is not one for self-praise. He feels the sting of these losses as much as any man, perhaps more. Our charge now is to steady the ship and give him the victories his efforts deserve.” The Beaneaters, once riding high, now find themselves grasping for consistency. Their supporters can only hope that Hamilton’s milestone might serve as a spark, turning pride in an individual achievement into momentum for the team as June stretches on.