3 Fun Facts About Honus Wagner

Honus Wagner played 21 seasons in pro baseball, mostly for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He started in the majors in 1897. That was an interesting year. That year the National Organization of Mothers formed. Their stated mission: “Sit up straight, eat your vegetables and stop seeing that dirty girl. She’s no good for you.”

Wagner’s nickname, “The Flying Dutchman,” came from his incredible speed. He was so fast, he could run the bases after hitting a home run, stopping between 2nd and 3rd to eat a hot dog and a coke at his house.

He is widely considered by baseball experts to be the best shortstop in the game’s history. One historian said, “The guy was a great shortstop. And his parents were from Germany, so they made a great brockwurst, too.” I think baseball writers of the time were more concerned about lunch.