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Roger Connor

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Roger Connor (July 1, 1857 - January 4, 1931) was a 19th century Major League Baseball player. He was born in Waterbury, Connecticut. Connor is well-known for being the player whom Babe Ruth passed when Ruth became the all-time home run champion. Connor hit 138 home runs during his 18-year career.

Connor entered the National League in 1880 as a member of the Troy Trojans. He later played for the New York Gothams, and, due to his great stature, gave that team the enduring nickname "Giants". He was regularly among the league leaders in batting average and home runs until his retirement in 1897. Although he only led the league in home runs once, in 1890, Connor's career mark of 138 was a benchmark not surpassed until 1921 by Babe Ruth. He finished his career with a .317 batting average.[1] Connor is credited with being the first player to hit a grand slam in the major leagues[2] and being the first to hit an over-the-wall home run at the Polo Grounds. George Vescey, in the New York Times wrote: "Roger Connor was a complete player — a deft first baseman and an agile base runner who hit 233 triples and stole 244 bases despite his size (6 feet 3 inches and 200 pounds)."[3]

Over a 12-year period (1880-1891) he finished in the top 10 in hitting 10 times (leading once), and, over his 18 year career, finished in the top 10 for doubles 10 times, finished in the top 3 for triples seven times (and is still the fifth all-time leader in triples), top 10 in RBI's 10 times, and top 10 in HR's 12 times.

After retiring as a player in 1897, Connor moved back to his hometown of Waterbury and managed several minor league teams.

Connor was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976.

See also

References

  1. ^ Baseball Almanac, accessed May 2007.
  2. ^ A home run hit on September 10, 1881, according to the New York Times, May 13, 2007, "Sports", p. 3.
  3. ^ New York Times, May 13, 2007, "Sports", p. 3.
Preceded by National League Batting Champion
1885
Succeeded by
Preceded by Career home run record holder
1895-1920
Succeeded by
Preceded by National League RBI Champion
1889
Succeeded by
Preceded by St. Louis Browns Manager
1896
Succeeded by