The Boston Beaneaters were a dominant team in the National League throughout the 19th century, and from 1892 to 1898 they finished in first place four times in seven years, in what was at the time a 12-team league. The 1900 team, seen in this photo, didn't quite live up to their potential, finishing in fourth place with a 66-72 record, despite having a Hall of Fame manager and five Hall of Fame players on the roster.
In many ways, this photo represents the end of an era - the last year of the 19th century also marked the last year that the National League existed unopposed. In 1901, the American League would declare major league status, and Boston's AL franchise would take away many of the Beaneaters' star players. Hall of Fame third baseman Jimmy Collins (bottom row, far right); outfielders Buck Freeman (middle row, second from left) and Chick Stahl (top row, middle); and pitchers Nig Cuppy (middle row, far left), Ted Lewis (middle row, far right), and Bill Dinneen (middle row, third from right) all left to join the future Red Sox.
In addition to those who left to join the American League, other notable players in this picture include Hall of Famers Hugh Duffy (top row, second from right), Billy Hamilton (bottom row, second from left), Kid Nichols (bottom row, third from left), and Vic Willis (middle row, second from right), along with Hall of Fame manager Frank Selee (bottom row, center). Backup catcher Jack Clements (bottom row, far right) played his last of 17 major league seasons in 1900; to this day he remains the only left-handed catcher to play any significant amount of time in the majors.
The complete player identification, courtesy of Boston Public Library:
Top, left to right: Bobby Lowe, second baseman, Shad Barry, Chick Stahl, outfielder, Hugh Duffy, outfielder, Boileryard Clarke. Middle row: Nig Cuppy, Buck Freeman, outfielder, Billy Sullivan, Bill Dineen, pitcher, Vic Willis, Ted Lewis, pitcher. Bottom row: Jack Clements, Billy Hamilton, outfielder, Kid Nichols, pitcher, Frank Selee, Manager, Herman Long, shortstop, Fred Tenney, first baseman, Jimmie Collins, third baseman.
Photo courtesy of Boston Public Library.
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