Jablonski: Billy Hamilton chasing Reds record that has stood for 104 years
From David Jablonski at the Springfield News-Sun on July 20, 2015:
Bob Bescher died almost 73 years ago. His Major League Baseball career ended in 1918. He set the record that makes him relevant now in 1911.
Those are three good reasons why Cincinnati Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton and manager Bryan Price haven’t heard of Bescher, who has owned the franchise’s modern day single-season stolen base record for 104 years.
“Bob who?” Hamilton asked.
“Nineteen eleven, huh?” Price said. “Bob Bescher?”
Bescher was born in London, Ohio, in 1884 and died in his hometown in 1942. He played halfback for two seasons not far from home at Wittenberg University. Bescher even played professional football for a team called the Dayton Oakwoods, according to a Bescher biography published on the Society of American Baseball Research website.
Bescher’s name might come up in more Google searches later this season if Hamilton makes a run at his record. With 45 stolen bases through Sunday, Hamilton needed 36 stolen bases in the last 73 games to tie Bescher’s record of 81.
Read the full article here: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/sports/baseball/hamilton-chasing-record-that-has-stood-for-111-yea/nm3rL/
Originally published: July 22, 2015. Last Updated: July 22, 2015.