As a rookie in 1903, Phelps was Pittsburgh's regular catcher in the first modern
World Series. Though he was a weak hitter, he was a solid ML catcher for a decade.
(JK)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»June 11, 1903: Following a win by Ed Doheny, Pittsburgh gets back on the shut out track when Deacon Phillippe throws his 3rd straight whitewash, defeating Brooklyn, 9-0. His batterymate Ed Phelps is 3-for-3 with a stolen base: as noted by Joe Elinich, Phils' manager Chief Zimmer calls Phelps, "the best catcher in the game" and "a coming star."
»July 25, 1905: Christy Mathewson wins his 16th, defeating the Reds, 7-2. The game was close until Frank Bowerman belts a 3-run homer in the 8th for the Giants. Cincy fans get a scare in the 1st inning when Reds C Ed Phelps is knocked unconscious when he struck by the back swing of Sam Mertes. Phelps is rushed to a hospital.
»May 13, 1940: In a replay of their washed-out game of April 23rd called on account of darkness, the Reds and the Cards neglect to inform the league office, and no umpires are assigned to Crosley Field. Coach Jimmy Wilson and P Lon Warneke are pressed into service as umpires before umpire Larry Goetz, at home in Cincinnati on a day off, arrives to officiate. Warneke will later become a full-time umpire, while Wilson will return to active duty at the end of the year and star in the World Series. Johnny Mize of the St. Louis Cardinals hits three home runs, and the Reds Bill Werber has five hits and collects four doubles in a 14-inning, 8–8 tie with the Reds. Mize's is his 3rd 3-homer game, breaking the tie for the National League record he shared with George Kelly. After 1910, there will be only five games this century in which active players umpire: Besides today these are: 1912: Ham Hyatt (Pit-N) and Ed Phelps (Bro-N); 1935: Jocko Conlan (Chi-A); 1941: Johnny Cooney (Bos-N) and Freddie Fitzsimmons (Bro-N); and 1978: Don Leppert (coach, Tor-A) and Jerry Zimmerman (coach, Min-A). (as noted by historian Wayne McElreavy)