Bill Wagner
Encyclopedia
William Joseph Wagner was an American baseball catcher. He was born in 1894 in Jesup, Iowa
. Wagner played five seasons in Major League Baseball
and was a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates
from 1914–1917 and the Boston Braves
in 1918. He played in 93 career games with 50 hits and 1 home run
on a batting average of .207. Bill Wagner died in 1951 in Waterloo, Iowa
.
Over a decade after Bill Wagner's death, a controversy arose whether he had pinch hit for teammate Honus Wagner
in 1917, making him the only player to have done so. Later examination of National League archives proved the allegation incorrect.
Jesup, Iowa
Jesup is a city in Black Hawk and Buchanan Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 2,212 at the 2000 census.The Black Hawk County portion of Jesup is part of the Waterloo–Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. Wagner played five seasons in Major League Baseball
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...
and was a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
from 1914–1917 and the Boston Braves
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 1918. He played in 93 career games with 50 hits and 1 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
on a batting average of .207. Bill Wagner died in 1951 in Waterloo, Iowa
Waterloo, Iowa
Waterloo is a city in and the county seat of Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census the population decreased by 0.5% to 68,406. Waterloo is part of the Waterloo – Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is the more populous of the two...
.
Over a decade after Bill Wagner's death, a controversy arose whether he had pinch hit for teammate Honus Wagner
Honus Wagner
-Louisville Colonels:Recognizing his talent, Barrow recommended Wagner to the Louisville Colonels. After some hesitation about his awkward figure, Wagner was signed by the Colonels, where he hit .338 in 61 games....
in 1917, making him the only player to have done so. Later examination of National League archives proved the allegation incorrect.