Honus Wagner: The Flying Dutchman

Honus Wagner was signed by the Louisville Colonels of the National League making his debut in 1897 after spending only two seasons in the minor leagues. He would play in Louisville through the 1899 season, the National League contracted to 8 teams, and Wagner would go to the Pittsburgh Pirates where he would spend the rest of his career.

Wagner considered by many to be the best all around player of the Dead Ball Era. He hit 101 home runs with 1,732 RBI with a batting line of .328/.391/.467. He stole 722 bases in his career, and was the best shortstop of his era.

Wagner would win 8 National League batting titles, 5 times he would lead the league in RBI, and 5 times he would lead the league in stolen bases.

He would lead the Pirates to their only World Series Championship during his career in 1909. His #33 was retired by the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1936, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot.

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

Dave Concepcion Defensive Wizard

Dave Concepcion was a defensive wizard as the shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds for 19 seasons. He was a solid part of the defense of The Big Red Machine teams of the mid-70’s. Perfecting the bounce throw on the artificial turf. The Reds won the World Series in 1975-1976.

Concepcion was a nine time National league all-star, twice he won the Silver Slugger Award, and 5 time Gold Glove Award winner. His #13 has been retired by the Reds, and he is a member of the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

Al "Scoop" Oliver Professional Hitter

Al Oliver broke into the major leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates in1968, and with his official taking place in 1969. Oliver finished with a batting line of .285/.333/.445 with 17 home runs and 70 RBI. It was just the beginning of a long and productive career.

In 18 seasons, Oliver won three silver slugger awards, he was a 7 time all-star, and won a World Series Championship with the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1982, while playing for the Montreal Expos, Oliver was the National League leader in RBI, batting average, doubles, and hits.

His career ended after the 1985 season. He finished with a career batting line of .303/.344/.451. He had 2743 hits over the course of his career with 219 home run and 1326 RBI.

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

2016 Anthony Rizzo Highlights

The best highlights of the World Series champion Chicago Cubs’ first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo was instrumental in leading the Chicago Cubs to their first World Series title since 1908. He hit .292 with 32 home runs and 109 RBI.

Rizzo is a three time all-star (2014-2016) 2016 Gold Glove winner, and the 2016 platinum glove winner at first base. He is a survivor of limited state classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He established the Anthony Rizzo Foundation in 2012 to raise money for cancer research, and to assist families that are fighting cancer.

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h