WHY I THINK ED KONETCHY SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

WHY I THINK ED KONETCHY SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN 

By- Damien 

While first base is an offensive position today, that was not always the case. Up until around 1920 (the start of the live-ball era), ground balls, bunts, and trick plays like the Baltimore Chop were far more common than they are today, requiring the first baseman to work as hard as any other infielder. A first sacker who played from 1907 through 1921, Ed Konetchy was a strong hitter and an outstanding fielder at one of the most important positions on the diamond. Considering the hard work required to play first base in Konetchy’s era, it makes his batting feats even more impressive. 

Edward Joseph Konetchy was born on September 3, 1885, in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He was one of seven children to Bohemian immigrant parents. As a child he worked for a candy factory, and at age 16 he joined the factory’s baseball team. At 19 he was playing for the local professional team, the La Crosse Pinks (named after manager Pink Hawley), and after three seasons in the minors, he was ready for the Big Leagues. 

Konetchy made his MLB debut for the St. Louis Cardinals on June 29, 1907. After a strong all-around season, he locked down the Cards’ first base job. On a lackluster team with few bright spots, Konetchy was St. Louis’s hero for years. Not only was he developing into a top-notch defender, but he was also establishing himself as a top hitter, consistently finishing in the NL’s top ten in batting, home runs, and RBI’s. His power hitting feats earned him the nickname “Big Ed.” 

Konetchy led the league with 38 doubles in 1912 and batted .314 in 1913, sparking a thunderstorm of trade rumors. “I’m the most traded man in baseball without getting anywhere,” he once remarked. John McGraw made frequent attempts to get him, and Fred Clarke of the Pirates even considered trading an older Honus Wagner for him. Konetchy eventually went to Pittsburgh in an eight player deal (which did not include Wagner) on December 13, 1913. After an off year, he jumped to the Federal League’s Pittsburgh Rebels, where he batted .314 with 10 homers, 93 RBI’s, and led the league in total bases and extra-base hits. After the Federal League folded, Konetchy returned to the NL, playing all 158 of the Boston Braves’ games in 1916 and providing the best bat in their lineup. 

Konetchy played in the Majors until 1921, his age-36 season. He was still a productive player, batting .308 in 1920 and reaching his career high in homers in 1921. Despite playing his final MLB game, Konetchy’s career was far from over, as he spent six seasons in the minor leagues. The high minors in those days were comparable, if not equivalent, to the quality of the Major Leagues, and they sported many MLB stars still at the top of their game. Konetchy spent four of his final six seasons in class-A ball, including 1923, when he batted .307 with 50 doubles and 22 home runs, and 1925, when he hit .345 and led the Texas League in homers (41) and RBI’s (166) in 155 games. Konetchy had one more productive season in 1926 (.325 average, 21 homers) and hung up his spikes for good after a short stint in 1927. He had played 23 seasons in organized ball, collecting over 3,000 hits and 500 doubles. 

Ed Konetchy was one of the best players of his era and has a strong case for the Hall of Fame. WAR is relatively tough on him because he was a first baseman, but WAR makes the assumption that first base is a premium offensive position, whereas in Konetchy’s time that was simply not the case. In reality, he was a premier defender at a defense-first position, leading his league in fielding eight times, putouts five times, and assists five times. Konetchy was also a talented hitter with a career OPS+ of 123, a remarkable number for a defensive player. In addition to his power, Konetchy was known for his speed, stealing 255 bases and rapping 182 career triples, the most of any player outside of Cooperstown. He even tried his hand at pitching, earning a win in 1913 and throwing a complete game in 1918. And while his minor league statistics should not be counted with his MLB stats, they shouldn’t count for nothing, as they provide evidence that he could still clearly play at a high level. 

Ed Konetchy was a complete player with a long career in a pitcher-friendly era. He was consistently one of the league’s best players, both offensively and defensively, and never had a declining phase. He would be a worthy pick for the Hall of Fame. 

LIFETIME STATISTICS 

Games career: 2,085 season high: 158 in 1911 and 1916 led NL: 158 in 1911 and 1916 

At Bats career: 7,649 season high: 576 in 1909 and 1915 

Hits career: 2,150 season high: 181 in 1915 

Doubles career: 344 season high: 38 in 1911 led NL: 38 in 1911 

Triples career: 182 season high: 18 in 1915 

Home Runs career: 74 season high: 11 in 1921 

Runs Scored career: 972 season high: 90 in 1911 

Runs Batted In career: 992 season high: 93 in 1915 

Stolen Bases career: 255 season high: 27 in 1911, 1913, and 1915 

Walks career: 689 season high: 81 in 1911 

Strikeouts career: 719 season high: 69 in 1908 

Batting Average career: .281 season high: .314 in 1912 and 1915 

On Base Percentage career: .346 season high: .397 in 1910 

Slugging Percentage career: .403 season high: .483 in 1915 

Total Bases career: 3,080 season high: 278 in 1915 led FL: 278 in 1915 

Sacrifice Hits career: 253 season high: 25 in 1908 and 1914 

Fielding Percentage career: .990 season high: .995 in 1913 and 1914 led NL 1B: .991 in 1910 and 1911, .995 in 1913 and 1914, .994 in 1917 and 1919, .992 in 1918 led FL 1B: .994 in 1915 

Double Plays career: 1,094 season high: 96 in 1916 led NL 1B: 96 in 1916 

Putouts career: 21,378 season high: 1,652 in 1911 led NL 1B: 1,584 in 1909, 1,499 in 1910, 1,652 in 1911, 1,576 in 1914, 1,626 in 1916 

Assists career: 1,297 season high: 122 in 1908 led NL 1B: 122 in 1908, 97 in 1909, 98 in 1910, 93 in 1914, 96 in 1916 

DID YOU KNOW? 

-Stole home twice in one game on September 30, 1907 

-Had a 20-game hitting streak from August 27 through September 22, 1910 

-Hit two inside-the-park home runs in one game on August 5, 1912 

-Tied a record with 10 consecutive hits from June 28 through July 1, 1919 

-Earned MVP votes in 1911 (22nd) and 1912 (12th) 

-Ranks 15th in career triples and 39th in sacrifice hits 

-Among MLB first baseman, he ranks third in career putouts, 15th in games, and 28th in assists