Instructionals by bad 19th century players

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Posted By: Max Weder

Here is an image of "Learn Major League Baseball" by John "Dasher" Troy, written in 1915. Troy managed to hit an impressive .243 in his parts of five seasons from 1881 to 1885 in the majors, with a grand total of 625 at bats and 4 home runs: http://baseballreference.com/t/troyda01.shtml. I can't imagine Joe Jackson, Ty Cobb or Eddie Collins would have paid much attention to his instructions.

Max

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Posted By: Jeff O

Sounds a lot like Charlie Lau, who's techinique many say revolutionized hitting. Too bad he was a lifetime .255 hitter.

I guess it goes to show - "Those who can do; those who can't, teach."

Nice item, BTW!

Jeff

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Posted By: Max Weder

Walt Hriniak? He almost made it to 100 career AB. I guess it's a long tradition of mediocore hitting hitting coaches.

Max

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Posted By: Kevin Cummings

Although his career was rather short (just 3 years) and he was a pitcher, Bill James has labeled Frank Gilmore the worst professional baseball player in the 19th century. No one would have been listening to his pitching tips and his batting average made Mario (The Mendoza Line) Mendoza look like Babe Ruth by comparison!

http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/gilmofr01.shtml
http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mendoma01.shtml

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Posted By: Max

I have to think Ron Herbel has Frank beat, .029 to .043 BA, .104 OPS versus .141:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/herbero01.shtml

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Posted By: Gilbert Maines

Yes Max, but in '67 he tore the cover off of the ball. Two thirds of his hits went for extra bases!

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Posted By: Max Weder and Jennifer Ettinger

For a refreshing change from Dasher, how about Pete?



Max

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Posted By: Scott Elkins

Cocaine being widely used (since it was the "Cure-All" of the day)? Looks like they would have run a little faster to first and helped the batting average, but I guess since the fielders were on coke too that they made it to the ball faster!?!? I'm just glad that steriods were not invented/used then - or we might not have a geat Dead-Ball era!!!!!!!