Honus Wagner, one of the greatest baseball players of all time, died on December 6, 1955, at the age of 81. He was a shortstop who played 21 seasons in the major leagues, mostly for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was one of the first five players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936. He is also famous for having one of the rarest and most valuable baseball cards in existence. But how did he die and what was his life like?
Early Life and Career
Wagner was born on February 24, 1874, in Chartiers, Pennsylvania, to German immigrants. He was one of nine children and dropped out of school at age 12 to work in the coal mines with his father and brothers. He also played sandlot baseball with his siblings and developed his skills as a hitter and a fielder. His older brother, Albert “Butts” Wagner, who also had a brief major league career, helped him get his first tryout with a professional team.
Wagner made his major league debut in 1897 with the Louisville Colonels and quickly established himself as a star. He led the National League in batting average eight times, slugging percentage six times, runs batted in five times, and stolen bases five times. He also won a World Series championship with the Pirates in 1909. He was known for his versatility, playing every position except pitcher and catcher, and his speed, earning him the nickname “The Flying Dutchman”.
Retirement and Legacy
Wagner retired from playing in 1917, but remained involved in baseball as a coach and a manager for the Pirates until 1951. He was widely respected and admired by his peers and fans, including Ty Cobb, who called him “maybe the greatest star ever to take the diamond”. He was also a humble and generous man who avoided scandals and controversies.
Wagner’s legacy is cemented by his achievements and honors. He is widely regarded as the greatest shortstop ever and one of the greatest players ever. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in its inaugural class in 1936, along with Cobb, Babe Ruth, Christy Mathewson, and Walter Johnson. He received 95.13% of the votes, second only to Cobb’s 98.23%. He also has a statue outside PNC Park, the Pirates’ home stadium, and his number 33 is retired by the team.
Wagner is also famous for having one of the rarest and most valuable baseball cards in existence. The card was issued by the American Tobacco Company in 1909 as part of its T206 series. However, Wagner objected to having his image used to promote tobacco products and demanded that the company stop producing his card. As a result, only about 50 to 200 cards were ever distributed, making them extremely scarce and desirable for collectors. The card has sold for millions of dollars at auctions, setting several records for the highest price ever paid for a baseball card.
Cause of Death
Wagner died on December 6, 1955, at his home in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. The cause of death was not specified, but he had been suffering from various health problems for several years. He had diabetes, arthritis, and heart trouble, among other ailments. He also had a stroke in 1954 that left him partially paralyzed.
Wagner was survived by his wife Bessie and their three daughters. He was buried at Jefferson Memorial Park in Pleasant Hills, Pennsylvania. His funeral was attended by many baseball dignitaries, including Commissioner Ford Frick, Pirates owner John Galbreath, and former teammates Pie Traynor and Max Carey.
Wagner’s death marked the end of an era for baseball and a loss for the sport’s history. He was one of the last living members of the Hall of Fame’s first class and one of the last players from the dead-ball era. He was also one of the most beloved figures in baseball history, admired for his skill, character, and personality.
