Monster Card Monday: 1894 Billy Hamilton

A Monster Card with just two 1s in the second column?  Oh don’t worry, I think you’ll like this card.

1894 Sliding Billy Hamilton of the Phillies is one of rare full time cards that has a speed number at 55.  With four 11s and one 10, APBA had no choice but to put the 10 at 55. 

Hamilton had 100 stolen bases in 1894.  A little caveat though; this was before the rule change so a baserunner who advanced an extra base on a hit was credited with a stolen base.  The rule change was put in place in 1898. 

Nevertheless, Hamilton was a speed demon and he later claimed he deserved the stolen base title.  He was quoted, "I was and will be the greatest base stealer of all time.  I stole over 100 bases on many years and if they ever re-count the record I will get my just reward."

There’s a lot to like about this card even if speed isn’t your thing.  When judging leadoff hitters, we generally look at on base numbers.  Well, Billy Hamilton has that.  But what about his chances to make it to second?  Hamilton delivers there, too.  Not only does it have 16 on base chances against an A pitcher with bases empty but he has a pretty incredible seven chances to get on second base (possibly eight if you count the error number 16). 

Also not only does Sliding Billy not have any 24s, he has a nice, juicy 14 at 41.  That’s probably the first time I’ve seen that number there.  And in case you missed it, he has three 31s with the third one at 46.

Some trivia about Hall of Famer Billy Hamilton:  while it was common for players from earlier eras to be shorter, Billy Hamilton was a petite 5’6” and lightweight at 165 lbs.   

Also, I’m no deadball expert but what an outfield the 1894 Phillies had!  Between Hamilton, Sam Thompson (.415 and league leading 147 rbis) and Ed Delahanty (.404, 148 runs, 133 rbis).  Wow!  All three were eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame. 

And when those three weren’t playing, Tuck Turner picked up the slack by hitting better than all three of them with a .418 average.  If it weren’t for Hugh Duffy’s great .440 season, the 1894 Phils would have landed four qualifying outfielders in the top four spots in the batting race.  Impressive. 

Thanks, Pastor Rich!