Paul Hines

Paul Hines
Outfielder
Born: (1855-03-01)March 1, 1855
Virginia, U.S.
Died: July 10, 1935(1935-07-10) (aged 80)
Hyattsville, Maryland, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 20, 1872, for the Washington Nationals
Last MLB appearance
September 21, 1891, for the Washington Statesmen
MLB statistics
Batting average.302
Hits2,133
Home runs57
Runs batted in855
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Paul Aloysius Hines (March 1, 1855 – July 10, 1935) was an American center fielder in professional baseball who played in the National Association and Major League Baseball from 1872 to 1891. Born in Virginia, he is credited with winning baseball's first batting triple crown in 1878 (Tommy Bond had accomplished the pitching version the year before); the accomplishment was not noted at the time, as runs batted in would not be counted until years later, home runs were rare and home run leadership obscure, and Abner Dalrymple was then erroneously recognized as the batting champion. Hines was the first of only three players to achieve the batting Triple Crown in the 19th century.

Hines likely practiced with the original Washington Nationals or played on its junior team before joining the National Association with that club in 1872. When the original Chicago White Stockings resumed play in 1874, the teenage Hines played every game, usually in center field. He remained with the club four seasons, including the inaugural National League championship season of 1876, and then played eight seasons for the Providence Grays from 1878 to 1885, spanning that club's entire major league association, during which the club won two pennants.