January 21, 1944 - The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Early history of Elberfeld and Honus Wagner
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Jan 21 1944
The Good Old Days
By Edward F. Balinger
When Honus Wagner was bombing his way around the bottom of baseball's ladder, he was beaten to the big league by a little shortstop named Norman Arthur Elberfeld, who died on Thursday of last week at Chattanooga. Both broke into the pastime as professionals in 1895, Honus at Steubenville and Norman with Clarksville, Tenn.
In 1897 these two young men were in the old Atlantic loop, but on different teams. The Phillies needed a shortstop and Connie Lucid, a pitcher who also did some scouting, was sent to look at the Flying Dutchman In a game between Richmond and Paterson. Elberfeld put up a sensational performance that afternoon and Connie selected him instead of Wagner, but some days later Honus was bought by Louisville.
Elberfeld stood 5 feet 7 inches tall, and weighed 135 pounds, but his aggressiveness quickly won the admiration of his mates and even his toughest rivals. His first roommate in fast company was big Ed Delahanty. Early in his career, he was referred to as the "Tabasco Kid," and that nickname clung to him through life.
Kid Elberfeld and Wagner always were good friends. The former had difficulty with his throwing arm in 1898 and the Phils sent him to Detroit, then In the Western League.
The Reds bought him In 1899, hut returned him in 1900 when the Tigers embarked in the new American circuit. Late in 1902 he signed with the Giants, but never had a chance to play with John McGraw's outfit, as the baseball war was settled and he was awarded to Detroit.
Early in 1903, the Kid was traded to the New York Americans, and in June of 1908 he became manager, but at the end of the season he was sold to Washington. where he finished his major league playing career in 1911, but played, served as pilot in the minors, did scouting duty and was active in baseball to the very last.
He was born at Pomeroy, 0., April 13, 1874, but learned the game on the lots at Cincinnati.
The Good Old Days
By Edward F. Balinger
When Honus Wagner was bombing his way around the bottom of baseball's ladder, he was beaten to the big league by a little shortstop named Norman Arthur Elberfeld, who died on Thursday of last week at Chattanooga. Both broke into the pastime as professionals in 1895, Honus at Steubenville and Norman with Clarksville, Tenn.
In 1897 these two young men were in the old Atlantic loop, but on different teams. The Phillies needed a shortstop and Connie Lucid, a pitcher who also did some scouting, was sent to look at the Flying Dutchman In a game between Richmond and Paterson. Elberfeld put up a sensational performance that afternoon and Connie selected him instead of Wagner, but some days later Honus was bought by Louisville.
Elberfeld stood 5 feet 7 inches tall, and weighed 135 pounds, but his aggressiveness quickly won the admiration of his mates and even his toughest rivals. His first roommate in fast company was big Ed Delahanty. Early in his career, he was referred to as the "Tabasco Kid," and that nickname clung to him through life.
Kid Elberfeld and Wagner always were good friends. The former had difficulty with his throwing arm in 1898 and the Phils sent him to Detroit, then In the Western League.
The Reds bought him In 1899, hut returned him in 1900 when the Tigers embarked in the new American circuit. Late in 1902 he signed with the Giants, but never had a chance to play with John McGraw's outfit, as the baseball war was settled and he was awarded to Detroit.
Early in 1903, the Kid was traded to the New York Americans, and in June of 1908 he became manager, but at the end of the season he was sold to Washington. where he finished his major league playing career in 1911, but played, served as pilot in the minors, did scouting duty and was active in baseball to the very last.
He was born at Pomeroy, 0., April 13, 1874, but learned the game on the lots at Cincinnati.
