gold star for USAHOF

35. Topsy Hartsel

35. Topsy Hartsel
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: June 26, 1874 in Polk, OH USA
  • Weight: 155 lbs.
  • Height: 5'5"
  • Bats: L
  • Throws: L
  • Debut: September 14, 1898
  • Final Game: September 30, 1911
ABRHHRRBISBAVG
96961652267262682494 0.276
 

After a breakout season with the Chicago Orphans in 1901 where he batted .335 with 187 Hits, Tully “Topsy” Hartsel, bolted from the National League to the American League and Connie Mack’s Philadelphia Athletics.

Hartsel was placed at the top of the order, and he was more than an adequate place setter for the rest of the lineup.  In 1902, Hartsel would lead the AL in Runs Scored (109), Stolen Bases (47), and Walks (87), and it was that type of On Base Percentage, and baserunning skill that made him valuable to the franchise.  Hartsel would not hit that level of Stolen Bases again, though he managed to remain in double digits every year until 1908.  From 1905 to 1908, the Outfielder would lead the AL in Walks and was a two-time leader in On Base Percentage.  He only batted over 300 once as an Athletic (1903), but his OBP allowed him to be a viable leadoff man.

When the Athletics won the World Series in 1910, Hartsel, only played in one of those games, and in 1911, he was coaching as opposed to playing, but he did secure his second World Series Championship.  With the Athletics, Hartsel had 1,087 Hits.

Hartsel may not have been a huge factor in those World Series wins, but his role in the 1905 Pennant was vital, and he was a large factor in keeping Philadelphia in contention throughout the 1900s.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Outfield
  • Acquired: Jumped from the Chicago Orphans of the National League.
  • Departed: Retired after the 1911 Season.
  • Games Played: 1146
  • Notable Statistics: 686 Runs Scored
    1,087 Hits
    154 Doubles
    74 Triples
    21 Home Runs
    266 Runs Batted In
    196 Stolen Bases
    .266/.379/.356 Slash Line 
    25.1 bWAR

    6 Playoff Games
    5 Runs Scored
    5 Hits
    1 Double
    0 Triples
    0 Home Runs
    0 Runs Batted In
    2 Stolen Bases
    .227/.292/.273 Slash Line
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Champion (1910 & 1911)
    Highest On Base Percentage (1905 & 1907)
    Most Plate Appearances (1902)
    Most Runs Scored (1902)
    Most Walks (1902, 1905, 1906, 1907 & 1908)
    Most Stolen Bases (1902)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Leftfielder (1903)

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