Billy Hamilton | |
---|---|
Outfielder | |
Born: Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | February 16, 1866|
Died: December 15, 1940 Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S. | (aged 74)|
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
July 31, 1888, for the Kansas City Cowboys | |
Last MLB appearance | |
September 16, 1901, for the Boston Beaneaters | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .344 |
Hits | 2,154 |
Home runs | 40 |
Runs batted in | 742 |
Stolen bases | 912 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Member of the National | |
Baseball Hall of Fame | |
Induction | 1961 |
Election method | Veterans Committee |
William Robert Hamilton (February 16, 1866 – December 15, 1940), nicknamed "Sliding Billy", was an American professional baseball player in Major League Baseball (MLB) during the 19th-century. He played for the Kansas City Cowboys, Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Beaneaters between 1888 and 1901.
Hamilton won the National League (NL) batting title twice and led the NL in stolen bases five times, eclipsing 100 on four occasions. He hit over .400 in 1894[1] and set the major league record for runs scored in a season with 198. His 914[a] stolen bases ranks third all time behind only Rickey Henderson, at 1,406 and Lou Brock with 938 .
A career .344 hitter, he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in the Class of 1961 via the Veterans Committee.[2]