| Jimmy Sheckard | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Left fielder | |
| Born:(1878-11-23)November 23, 1878 Chanceford Township, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| Died: January 15, 1947(1947-01-15) (aged 68) Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 14, 1897, for the Brooklyn Bridegrooms | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 28, 1913, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .274 |
| Hits | 2,084 |
| Home runs | 56 |
| Runs batted in | 813 |
| Stolen bases | 465 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Samuel James Tilden Sheckard (November 23, 1878 – January 15, 1947) was an Americanleft fielder inMajor League Baseball who played for theBrooklyn Bridegrooms/Superbas (1897–98, 1900–01, 1902–05),Baltimore Orioles (NL) (1899),Baltimore Orioles (AL) (1902),Chicago Cubs (1906–12),St. Louis Cardinals (1913) andCincinnati Reds (1913).
Sheckard was theChicago Cubs' leadoff batter for the final game of the1908 World Series. His team played in four World Series in a five-year span from 1906-1910.
Sheckard was born inChanceford Township, York County, Pennsylvania. He enjoyed a great 1901 season with the Superbas,hitting .353 with 11home runs and 104runs batted in, and leading the league with 19triples and a .534slugging average. In that season Sheckard became the first and so far only player to hitinside the parkgrand slams in two consecutive games.[1]
With Baltimore in 1899, Sheckard led the league with 77stolen bases. He played in fourWorld Series with the Cubs, winning championships in1907 and1908; and he led the league in 1911 with 121runs and 147walks – a major league record until broken byBabe Ruth in 1920, and still a team record.
Sheckard also had the dubious distinction of going hitless in 21 at-bats in the1906 World Series, won by theChicago White Sox over the Cubs.
Sheckard was the first player to lead the league in homers and steals in the same season (1903).Ty Cobb (1909) andChuck Klein (1932) are the only other players to do so in the majors.
Sheckard was also a good outfielder. He holds the all-time single season major league record for double plays at two separate positions. His 12 double plays as a left fielder in 1911 for the Cubs are two more than any other left fielder in history. In 1899, while playing for the Baltimore Orioles, Sheckard played right field and set the record for double plays by a right fielder with 14. See related article on all timedouble play leaders.
After the 1913 season, Sheckard retired. When the Reds tradedJoe Tinker, creating a managerial vacancy, Sheckard warned that Tinker's replacement would have a tough job ahead. "No matter who gets Tinker's place, the new manager will have to get rid of the 'knockers' on that club before he can hope to succeed. There is no chance to win with players who think more of their own records than they do of the success of the club."[2]
In his 17-year career, Sheckard hit .274, with 56 home runs, 813 RBI, 1296 runs, 354doubles, 136 triples, and 465 stolen bases in 2122 games played. In 1911, he set the single season record for walks with 147 before it was broken byBabe Ruth in 1920. He is one of only four players in the modern era (1900-present) to hold this record along with Ruth,Jack Crooks, andBarry Bonds.[3] Sheckard is also the all-time leader among left fielders in assists, with 243.[4]
Sheckard died at age 68 inLancaster, Pennsylvania, from injuries suffered when he was struck by a motorist while walking to work along a highway.
· Baseball Almanac