Books and articles about Buck Freeman

This 5'11" 160-lb slugger preceded Babe Ruth by a generation, but could have been the prototype for the future home run champion. A lefthanded pitcher converted to the outfield because of his outstanding hitting, Freeman was one of the premier power hitters of baseball's dead-ball era.

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In his first full ML season, 1899, Freeman hit 25 home runs for Washington to lead the National League. This total, only two fewer than Ned Williamson's record of 27 in 1884, was not surpassed until Ruth hit 29 in 1919. Moving to the Red Sox of the newly formed American League in 1901, he finished second in HR for two years before leading with 13 in 1903. (Freeman and Sam Crawford are the only players to have led both the AL and NL in home runs.) In both 1902 and 1903, Freeman was the AL leader in RBI.

Strong-armed but erratic in the field, Freeman was tried at first base, but was at his best in right field. His heavy hitting, especially in clutch situations, carried the Red Sox to two pennants (1903-04), and victory in the first modern World Series, in 1903. (JL)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » February 16, 1900: Washington sells eight players, including home run king Buck Freeman and P Bill Dinneen going to Boston, then disbands. Baltimore players are to be transferred to Brooklyn and syndicate baseball will be ended. » April 19, 1900: In the NL opener at Boston, 10,000 fans watch the Phils win 19-17 in 10 innings, the highest scoring season opener in history. Boston scored nine runs, including a major-league record three by pinch hitters, in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game at 17 apiece. At one point, Philadelphia led 16-4. The record of three pinch runners will be matched four times in the 20th century, all in the 9th inning. Buck Freeman and Lave Cross match homers. Al Orth goes all the way for the Phils, while Vic Willis starts for Boston with Kid Nichols in relief. » July 25, 1900: The Boston Beaneaters score 13 runs in the first inning against the Cardinals on 10 hits, including two triples by Buck Freeman, and four errors. The game is shortened by rain after six innings and Boston wins, 18–5. » August 30, 1900: Matching Buck Freeman's feat of five weeks ago, Brooklyn's Bill Dahlen laces two triples in the 8th inning as his team beats Philadelphia, 14–3. » May 8, 1901: In their long-delayed AL home opener, Boston defeats Philadelphia's Bill Bernhard, 12-4, behind Cy Young, who has jumped from the St. Louis NL team. Boston is led by Buck Freeman, who has a single, triple and homer. Young complains that he does not like the rule against pitchers warming up but he will still lead the AL with his 1.62 ERA. His 33 wins are 41.8 percent of his team’s 79 victories, a post-1900 record, it will stand until Steve Carlton wins 45.8 percent of the Phils’ 59 wins in 1972. Young also complains about catchers. "I do not like the league rule compelling the catcher to stand behind the bat all the time. It handicaps a pitcher. I cannot extend myself as I would like." » June 2, 1901: Milwaukee P Bill Reidy surrenders 10 consecutive hits to the Boston Somersets with two outs in the 9th inning to set a ML record. Nine runs score, a ML-record-tying number set a week ago, as Milwaukee loses 13-2. Boston pitcher Ben Beville, who took over at 1B in the 5th after Jimmy Collins and Buck Freeman had been tossed by umpire Haskell for arguing and kicking dirt, contributes two doubles-the only hits of his career-in the big inning. » June 17, 1901: Bosox sweep a Bunker Hill day double-header, 11-1 and 10-4, part of five game sweep over the White Sox. The Sox relinquish 1st place to Boston. Buck Freeman has a homer and triple in the two games to back Mitchell and Cy Young. » July 16, 1901: In Cleveland, Boston's Cy Young notches his 12th straight win, staggering to a 10-8 victory over the Blues. Buck Freeman has three hits including a triple off losing pitcher Moore. » July 18, 1901: In Boston's 6-5 loss at Cleveland, 1B Buck Freeman injures his foot chasing a foul ball. Freeman, leading the AL with seven HRs, is replaced by Lou Criger. Buck will be back in the lineup July 27. » September 9, 1901: The White Sox sweep a doubleheader-and the 4-game series-with Boston by topping the Somersets, 4-3 and 6-4. Boston's Buck Freeman belts his 12th homer of the year. Chicago (75-46) now has a seven game lead over Boston (67-52). » June 15, 1902: In Canton, Ohio, Cleveland loses to Boston, 5-2, before a crowd of 6,000 ringing the outfield. Balls hit into the crowd are doubles, and 10 are collected today. Buck Freeman has a pair. » June 21, 1903: In a Sunday match in Canton, Ohio, Boston outslugs Cleveland to win 12-7. Buck Freeman is 5-for-6, including the cycle, with six RBIs, while Nap Lajoie is 3-for-5 for Cleveland. » August 20, 1903: At Chicago, Boston's Buck Freeman is the first to hit a ball over the RF score board, but the Pilgrims lose to the White Sox, 9-5. » April 14, 1904: At chilly Hilltop Park, each spectator is given a small American flag as he enters the park for the Highlanders-Boston game. Ex-Judge Olcott tosses out the first ball and then Jack Chesbro pitches and bats New York to an 8-2 victory. He scatters six hits and scores two runs on two hits, including a homer. Both Boston runs come on inside the park homers, by Buck Freeman in the 7th, and in the 9th by Freddie Parent. New York scores five in the first inning off Cy Young to put the game away. » September 8, 1919: Babe Ruth hits HR No. 26 off Jack Quinn in New York, breaking Buck Freeman's 1899 HR mark of 25. » October 2, 1921: The Yankees close the season by beating the Red Sox 7–6. Ruth hits No. 59, off Curt Fullerton; for the team it is No. 134. Stuffy McInnis completes his 119th consecutive errorless game at 1B (1300 chances), and Boston SS Everett Scott plays his 832nd consecutive game, a team record that will not be approached this century. The previous Red Sox mark was held by Buck Freeman (535) and Frank Malzone will accumulate the next highest with 475 games.