Guy Hecker
Encyclopedia
Guy Jackson Hecker was an American
pitcher
in Major League Baseball
. He was born in Youngsville, Pennsylvania
. His debut game took place on May 2, 1882. His final game took place on September 30, 1890. During his career he played for the Louisville Eclipse
and Pittsburgh Pirates
. Hecker is considered by some baseball historians to be the best combination pitcher and hitter to play in the 19th century. He remains as one of the only two pitchers in Major League history to hit 3 home runs in one game, alongside Jim Tobin
and the only pitcher to win a batting title. In addition, he is the only pitcher in baseball history to get six hits in a nine-inning game.
Hecker was the second pitcher ever in the American Association
to pitch a no hitter. He did this as a rookie on September 19, 1882. He narrowly missed becoming the first pitcher in AA by a week when his teammate Tony Mullane
threw one. He also set a WHIP
record of 0.77, which remained the MLB record until 2000, when it was broken by Pedro Martinez
mark of 0.74, yet Hecker's mark remains the baseball rookie record. In 1884, Hecker won the pitching version of the triple crown
by compiling 52 wins, 385 strikeout
s and a 1.85 ERA
. In 1886, Hecker won the batting title by hitting .341 for the season. Hecker finished his career in 1890 by managing and playing for the Pittsburgh Alleghenys.
Hecker died in Wooster, Ohio
, and was laid to rest at Wooster Cemetery.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. He was born in Youngsville, Pennsylvania
Youngsville, Pennsylvania
Youngsville is a borough in Warren County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,834 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Youngsville is located at ....
. His debut game took place on May 2, 1882. His final game took place on September 30, 1890. During his career he played for the Louisville Eclipse
Louisville Colonels
The Louisville Colonels were a Major League Baseball team that played in the American Association throughout that league's ten-year existence from 1882 until 1891, first as the Louisville Eclipse and later as the Louisville Colonels , the latter name derived from the historic Kentucky colonels...
and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. Hecker is considered by some baseball historians to be the best combination pitcher and hitter to play in the 19th century. He remains as one of the only two pitchers in Major League history to hit 3 home runs in one game, alongside Jim Tobin
Jim Tobin
James Anthony Tobin, known as Abba Dabba, was a right-handed major league baseball pitcher with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Bees/Braves and Detroit Tigers from 1937 to 1945...
and the only pitcher to win a batting title. In addition, he is the only pitcher in baseball history to get six hits in a nine-inning game.
Hecker was the second pitcher ever in the American Association
American Association (19th century)
The American Association was a Major League Baseball league that existed for 10 seasons from to . During that time, it challenged the National League for dominance of professional baseball...
to pitch a no hitter. He did this as a rookie on September 19, 1882. He narrowly missed becoming the first pitcher in AA by a week when his teammate Tony Mullane
Tony Mullane
Anthony John "Tony" Mullane , nickamed "Count" and "The Apollo of the Box", was an Irish Major League Baseball player who pitched for seven teams during his 13-season career...
threw one. He also set a WHIP
Walks plus hits per inning pitched
In baseball statistics, walks plus hits per inning pitched is a sabermetric measurement of the number of baserunners a pitcher has allowed per inning pitched. It is a measure of a pitcher's ability to prevent batters from reaching base...
record of 0.77, which remained the MLB record until 2000, when it was broken by Pedro Martinez
Pedro Martínez
Pedro Jaime Martínez is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He is an eight-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner, and 2004 World Series champion...
mark of 0.74, yet Hecker's mark remains the baseball rookie record. In 1884, Hecker won the pitching version of the triple crown
Triple crown (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, a player earns the Triple Crown when he leads a league in three specific statistical categories. For batters, a player must lead the league in home runs, run batted in , and batting average; pitchers must lead the league in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average...
by compiling 52 wins, 385 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s and a 1.85 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. In 1886, Hecker won the batting title by hitting .341 for the season. Hecker finished his career in 1890 by managing and playing for the Pittsburgh Alleghenys.
Hecker died in Wooster, Ohio
Wooster, Ohio
Wooster is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Wayne County. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio approximately SSW of Cleveland and SW of Akron. Wooster is noted as the location of The College of Wooster...
, and was laid to rest at Wooster Cemetery.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
- List of Major League Baseball ERA champions
- List of Major League Baseball strikeout champions