Seybold's 16 HR in the second year of the
American League set a record that lasted
until
Babe Ruth shattered it with 29 in 1919. When
Connie Mack formed the Philadelphia
Athletics for the
American League's first season (1901), he brought Seybold with
him from the Western Association. Mack later described him as "the steadiest and
most serviceable of players." Seybold had a 27-game hitting streak in 1901, when
fellow Athletic
Nap Lajoie had a 28-game streak. He hit .300 three times, topped
90 RBI three times, and was consistently among the AL leaders in HR, sometimes showing
well in RBI (second in 1907 and fourth in 1902). He also led the league in doubles
in 1903 with 45. Not an especially good fielder, he nonetheless had two unassisted
double plays from the outfield in 1907. An injury in 1908 ended his major league
career.
(JK)