The 6 infielders on the 1915 Phillies squad
Throughout this season, we've been posting stories and vintage images of the 1915 Phillies, the franchise's first pennant winners. Noted baseball author and historian Rich Westcott supplied a photo of the six infielders (left to right):
SS Dave Bancroft
Opening Day age: 23
B-T: S-R
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 160
Led club with 153 games; 85 runs, 7 homers, 30 RBIs, 77 walks, .254 average
Contract purchased from Portland (Pacific Coast League) for $5,000 prior to the season. Lone rookie in the regular lineup. Nicknamed "Beauty." Hit .294 in the World Series. Traded to the New York Giants during the 1920 season; New York sent him to the Boston Braves three years later. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1971.
2B Oscar Dugey
Opening Day age: 27
B-T: R-R
Height: 5-foot-8
Weight: 160
42 games, 0 homers, 0 RBIs, .154 average
One of two players acquired from Boston for outfielder Sherry Magee after the 1914 season. Called "the luckiest kid in baseball" as he played on pennant winners in '14 and '15. Primarily a pinch-hitter and pinch-runner. Appeared in two World Series games for the Phils, one stolen base.
1B Fred Luderus
Opening Day age: 29
B-T: L-R
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 185
141 games, 36 doubles, 7 homers, 62 RBI, .315 average; only .300 hitter on the team
Named captain by manager Pat Moran before the season started. Finished second in the National League in doubles and average. Led the team with a .438 average in the World Series (Phillies WS record until Jayson Werth hit .444 in 2008). His home run in Game 5 was the franchise's first. Luderus wound up with six of the team's nine RBIs. Acquired in a 1910 trade with the Cubs and spent 11 seasons with Phils (1910-20).
INF Milt Stock
Opening Day age: 21
B-T: R-R
Height: 5-foot-8
Weight: 154
69 games, 1 home run, 15 RBIs, .260 average
Played 55 games at third base, four at shortstop. Went 1-for-17 in the World Series. Acquired from the Giants along with catcher Bert Adams and right-hander Al Demaree for Hans Lobert prior to the 1915 season. Phillies dealt him to the Cardinals four years later. Third-base coach for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950, when Cal Abrams was thrown out at home plate, setting up Dick Sisler's pennant-winning homer in the 10th inning.
3B Bobby Byrne
Opening Day age: 30
B-T: R-R
Height: 5-foot-7
Weight: 145
105 games, 0 homers, 21 RBIs, .209 average
Veteran who spent three years with the Cardinals and five with the Pirates before being acquired by the Phillies in August 1913. Regular second baseman in 1914 who switched to third in the Phils' pennant-winning season. Tied for NL lead in fielding percentage among third basemen (.969). Broke a hand late in the season and was replaced by Stock. Played in one World Series game, hitless in one at-bat.
2B Bert Niehoff
Opening Day age: 30
B-T: R-R
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 170
148 games, 27 doubles, 2 homers, 49 RBIs, 21 SB, .238 average
Acquired from the Reds for catcher Red Dooin prior to the season. Played third base for Cincinnati, but Moran moved him to second. Went 1-for-16 in the World Series. Played two more seasons for the Phillies before being traded to the Cardinals. Finished his career with the New York Giants in 1918.