Jim Halpin
Encyclopedia
James Nathaniel Halpin a native of England
, was a Major League Baseball
shortstop
/third baseman
. He played for the Worcester Ruby Legs (1882), Washington Nationals
(1884 Union Association
), and Detroit Wolverines
(1885). At just 18 years of age, he was the youngest player to appear in a National League
game in 1882.
Halpin made his major league debut in a home game against the Buffalo Bisons at Worcester Driving Park Grounds. The Ruby Legs defeated future Hall of Famer Pud Galvin
6-3. Halpin played just one more game for Worcester before returning to the big leagues two years later.
In 63 total games he hit .165 (38-for-230) with 5 doubles
and 27 runs scored
. He was a slightly below-average fielder for his era, making 51 errors
in 263 total chances
(.806).
Halpin died at the age of 29 in Boston, Massachusetts.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, was a 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...
shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
/third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
. He played for the Worcester Ruby Legs (1882), Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals (UA)
The 1884 Washington Nationals were a member of the Union Association. They were managed by Mike Scanlon and finished in seventh place with a record of 47-65. Their home games were played at Capitol Grounds...
(1884 Union Association
Union Association
The Union Association was a league in Major League Baseball which lasted for only one season in 1884. St. Louis won the pennant and joined the National League the following season...
), and Detroit Wolverines
Detroit Wolverines
The Detroit Wolverines were a 19th century baseball team that played in the National League from 1881 to 1888 in the city of Detroit, Michigan. In total, they won 426 games and lost 437, taking their lone pennant in 1887. The team was disbanded following the 1888 season.-Franchise...
(1885). At just 18 years of age, he was the youngest player to appear in a National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
game in 1882.
Halpin made his major league debut in a home game against the Buffalo Bisons at Worcester Driving Park Grounds. The Ruby Legs defeated future Hall of Famer Pud Galvin
Pud Galvin
James Francis Galvin , nicknamed "Pud", "Gentle Jeems", and "The Little Steam Engine", was an American National Association and Major League Baseball pitcher. He was Major League Baseball's first 300-game winner...
6-3. Halpin played just one more game for Worcester before returning to the big leagues two years later.
In 63 total games he hit .165 (38-for-230) with 5 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and 27 runs scored
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
. He was a slightly below-average fielder for his era, making 51 errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in 263 total chances
Total chances
In baseball statistics, total chances , also called chances offered, represents the number of plays in which a defensive player has participated. It is calculated as follows: Total Chances = assists + putouts + errors. Chances accepted refers to the total of putouts and assists only. Fielding...
(.806).
Halpin died at the age of 29 in Boston, Massachusetts.