Quote:
Originally Posted by JaBurns
One for today Ed Konetchy, see attached for what he has and is doing in my league.
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ED KONETCHY
The La Crosse, Wisconsin native signed with the St Louis Cardinals as 20 year old when he imported in 1906. He spent all of his first season on the Cards 15-man reserve roster but in 1907 Konetchy took over as the Cards everyday first baseman, replacing 35 year old Fred Tenney. Konetchy would hold the position for 13 years and play 1956 major league games, all in a St Louis uniform.
Konetchy was a lifetime .291 hitter and won 7 Gold Gloves in his career. He was also named National League rookie of the year in 1907 when hit hit .300 with a league leading 20 triples. He would lead the NL in triples 3 times in his career and twice won a silver slugger award.
Konetchy made the post-season twice with the Cardinals, hitting .320 in 5 games in 1912 when they lost to the Athletics and going 0-for-2 as a pinch-hitter in 1921 when St Louis beat the A's for the franchise's first World Championship.
The '21 series was the end of his days in St Louis as he had lost his starting job to High Pockets Kelly for the 1920 season. The Cardinals released him in spring training 1922 and he signed with the International League's Montreal Royals, where he would play his final 3 seasons of pro ball. He hit .373 in 3 seasons with the Royals before retiring after the 1924 campaign at the age of 38.
He is still ranked 3rd all-time in games played in a St Louis uniform behind Jimmy Dykes and Rogers Hornsby and his 2086 hits are the 5th most by a Cardinal. His 159 triples are the most ever by a Cardinal and place him 36th in three-baggers all-time.