1894 by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview
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Page 56
There remained a problem for manager Wright. Turner was an outfielder, and not a very impressive defensive one, but adequate enough given his lively bat. Wright had arguably the finest starting outfield in all of major league history; “Big Ed” Delahanty in left field, “Sliding Billy” Hamilton in center field, and “Big Sam” Thompson in right field. All three would eventually be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and all three were at the prime of their careers in Philadelphia in the early and mid-1890s. Utilizing Turner as a Philly, particularly as an outfielder, would be a challenge, but the opportunity would unexpectedly present itself the very next season.
After spring training in 1894, the Phillies were about to embark on the finest offensive season in major league history. The team’s record breaking collective season batting average of .350
has never been surpassed. Leading the way in 1894, was that incredible Hall of Fame outfield’ Delahanty - .404; Hamilton -
.403, and Thompson - .415. Amazingly, however, Tuck Turner outdid all three of them, hitting .418.
Turner’s .418 was not just a pinch hitter’s or part time player’s batting average. Due to injuries suffered by two of his outfield teammates, Thompson and Delahanty, Turner managed to play in 82 games and had 347 at bats; a far cry from the 80 at