One of the better catchers around the turn of the century, Peitz was a reliable hitter
(career-high .315 in 1902) who often played other positions as well. He usually caught
lefthander Ted Breitenstein and the duo became known as the Pretzel Battery because
of their German ancestry and a mutual fondness for postgame beer and pretzels at
a Cincinnati saloon. Peitz's older brother Joe played a few games in the Cardinal
outfield in 1894.
(JK)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»May 10, 1894: For the first time in ML history that teammates have combined for three straight home runs, as Frank Shugart, George "Doggie" Miller, and Heinie Peitz of St. Louis hit consecutive roundtrippers in the 7th inning. In all, Shugart hits three home runs and Peitz 2, giving St. Louis a total of 6. However, their heroics are to no avail as their club falls to Cincinnati, 18–9.
»May 5, 1895: Heinie Peitz goes 5-for-5 with three extra-base hits, but somehow fails to score. St. Louis manages to whip Cincinnati 11–4.
»November 10, 1914: In Sacramento, California, Heinie Peitz, 47, one time member of the Baltimore Oriole infield, is killed by an automobile. He is the first major leaguer to die in a car accident. Braves SS Tony Boeckel, will die in a car accident in 1924, the first auto-related fatality of an active major leaguer.
»February 16, 1924: Boston Braves SS Tony Boeckel, 31, dies of injuries received the day before in an automobile accident. He is the first ML player killed in a motor accident. Heinie Peitz, 19th century infielder with the Baltimore Orioles, died in 1914 when struck by a car.
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