Herman Long
Nickname(s): Germany
1866-1909
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SS 1889-1904 Cowboys, Beaneaters, Highlanders, Tigers, Phillies
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| Games | Average | HR | RBI |
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| Career |
1874 | .277 | 91 | 1055 |
With a powerful arm, a quick release, and outstanding range, speed, and agility, Long played shortstop, according to the Boston Globe, "like a man on a flying trapeze." He joined Fred Tenney, Bobby Lowe, and Jimmy Collins in the Braves' (then called the Beaneaters) infield that was probably the best of the 19th century. His career chances-per-game (6.4) tops all shortstops. One of three Beaneaters to play on five NL pennant winners in the 1890s, he was a strong run producer, twice knocking in over 100 and scoring over 100 seven times. His 149 runs scored led the NL in 1893 and his 12 home runs led in 1900. Noisy and uncouth on the field, he urged teammates to greater efforts, ragged opponents, and stirred up fans. He always played all out, once breaking Pittsburgh catcher Connie Mack's leg with a ferocious slide when there was no play at the plate. After his playing days, he managed in the minors. However, he contracted tuberculosis, moved far from the scenes of his success to Colorado, and died broke and friendless. (ADS)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
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| » December 31, 1889: Three players purchased from the disbanded Kansas City AA franchise by the National League are divided by lot among the bidding NL clubs. Billy Hamilton is assigned to Philadelphia, while Boston is lucky enough to get both Herman Long and Dan Stearns in the drawing. » May 6, 1894: Star Boston SS Herman Long accidentally flicks hot ashes from his cigar into his eye, causing him to miss several games.
» May 30, 1894: In the afternoon game, Boston 2B Bobby (Link) Lowe hits home runs in four consecutive at bats, including two in the 3rd inning, to lead his team to a 20–11 conquest of Cincinnati and a sweep of the doubleheader. The homers came off Iceberg Chamberlain, and all were lofted over the 250-foot LF wall of Boston's Congress Street Grounds, the Beaneater's temporary home. Lowe also adds a single to total 17 bases for the game, a record tied but not beaten until Joe Adcock in 1954. After Lowe's 4th homer, the crowd showers him with $160 in coins. In the two games, Lowe's teammate Herman Long sets a major-league record by scoring nine runs, which has since been tied only once. Lowe, who used the time between games of the twinbill to help himself to the shore dinner at the North Boston Railroad Station, will try the same meal tomorrow, but will go hitless. » June 10, 1903: Detroit SS Kid Elberfeld, suspended for abusing an umpire, is traded to the New York Highlanders for veteran infielders Herman Long, 37, and Ernie Courtney. The Highlanders' first trade is a good one as"The Tabasco Kid", currently hitting .341, will be a key ingredient in New York's rise as contenders in 1904.
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