Walter Hackett (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Walter Henry Hackett was a Major League Baseball
shortstop
. He played for the 1884 Boston Reds in the Union Association
and the 1885 Boston Beaneaters
in the National League
. He later played in the minor leagues through 1889. His brother, Mert Hackett
and cousins Dad Clarkson
, John Clarkson
and Walter Clarkson
all also played professional baseball.
Hackett was a particularly successful investor who acquired substantial land holdings in New England. His father (Walter Hackett) had emigrated to the United States from Ennis, Ireland some years before the great Potato Famine that decimated the country. Much of early professional baseball was played by Irish immigrants and their descendants. Hackett had 3 sons, Walter, Mortimer and William by his first wife, Elizabeth McCoy, whose family had reportedly moved to New England to escape the notorious Hatfield-McCoy feud..
Like his father, Hackett named his eldest son Walter. In addition he had two other sons, William and Mortimer. Since Hackett's death a number of his lineal descendants have also been named Walter including his grandson, Walter H. Hackett, Jr., multiple great-grandsons and at least two great, great-grandsons. His grandson Walter, born May 13, 1932, was a decorated combat veteran who served with the 15th Infantry Regiment in the Korean War beginning in January 1953. His grandson was later elected to 3 successive terms as a City Councilman for the City of Montclair, California.
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...
. He played for the 1884 Boston Reds in the 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 the 1885 Boston Beaneaters
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
in the 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...
. He later played in the minor leagues through 1889. His brother, Mert Hackett
Mert Hackett
Mortimer Martin "Mert" Hackett , was an American Major League Baseball player from Cambridge, Massachusetts, who played mainly as a catcher from 1883 to 1887 for three different team; the Boston Beaneaters, Kansas City Cowboys, and Indianapolis Hoosiers...
and cousins Dad Clarkson
Dad Clarkson
Arthur Hamilton "Dad" Clarkson was a pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1891 to 1896. He played for the New York Giants, Boston Beaneaters, St. Louis Browns, and Baltimore Orioles.-Biography:...
, John Clarkson
John Clarkson
John Gibson Clarkson was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played from 1882 to 1894. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Clarkson played for the Worcester Ruby Legs , Chicago White Stockings , Boston Beaneaters , and Cleveland Spiders .He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in...
and Walter Clarkson
Walter Clarkson
Walter Hamilton Clarkson was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for the New York Highlanders from 1904 to 1907 and the Cleveland Naps from 1907 to 1908.-External links:...
all also played professional baseball.
Hackett was a particularly successful investor who acquired substantial land holdings in New England. His father (Walter Hackett) had emigrated to the United States from Ennis, Ireland some years before the great Potato Famine that decimated the country. Much of early professional baseball was played by Irish immigrants and their descendants. Hackett had 3 sons, Walter, Mortimer and William by his first wife, Elizabeth McCoy, whose family had reportedly moved to New England to escape the notorious Hatfield-McCoy feud..
Like his father, Hackett named his eldest son Walter. In addition he had two other sons, William and Mortimer. Since Hackett's death a number of his lineal descendants have also been named Walter including his grandson, Walter H. Hackett, Jr., multiple great-grandsons and at least two great, great-grandsons. His grandson Walter, born May 13, 1932, was a decorated combat veteran who served with the 15th Infantry Regiment in the Korean War beginning in January 1953. His grandson was later elected to 3 successive terms as a City Councilman for the City of Montclair, California.