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“Fabled Cub Infield” Photo Gallery
Harry Steinfeldt
Frank Chance with Hughie Jennings
Conference at the plate during 1914 World Series with A's Ira Thomas and Braves Johnny Evers
Johnny Evers (Charles Conlon photo)
Frank Chance at the plate
Frank Chance as manager of Red Sox with Miller Huggins
1907 Cubs, featuring Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and Frank Chance
Joe TInker during his days with the Cubs
Joe Tinker
Old Cubs reunion in the 1940's. Johnny Evers is fourth from left
Joe Tinker and Johnny Evers reunited in 1937 at dedication to Frank Chance
Joe Tinker
Head and shoulders of Johnny Evers; Charles Conlon, photographer.
Franklin Adams who penned "Baseball's Sad Lexicon" making Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and Frank Chance immortal
Frank Chance
Tinker to Evers to Chance Hall of Fame plaques
A young Johnny Evers
Harry Steinfeldt
Harry Steinfeldt with the Reds in 1911
Classic Frank Chance from the Charles Conlon collection
“Tinker to Evers to Chance,”
…But What About Harry Steinfeldt??
Yesterday was the one-hundred-eleventh anniversary of the day (February 14, 1914) when the Cubs traded their great second baseman, Johnny Evers, to the Boston Braves. With Johnny playing a pivotal role at the tail end of his Hall of Fame career, the “Miracle Braves” upset the heavily favored Philadelphia Athletics and won the 1914 World Series.
“Tinker to Evers to Chance – to Steinfeldt?”
Of course, whenever the topic of the Cubs from the early years of the twentieth century arises, the famous poem by Franklin Pierce Adams, Baseball’s Sad Lexicon, immediately comes to mind. The poem immortalized the Cubs’ Hall of Fame infield trio with the line: “Tinker to Evers to Chance.” [complete poem at bottom of essay].
Whenever I think about that fabled Cubs’ infield, I also wonder about third baseman Harry Steinfeldt, who became, in my opinion, baseball’s version of “odd man out”: the only member of the Cubs’ infield left out of the famous poem. Harry was a fine ball player in his own right, but he’s been largely forgotten over time. Was he upset that history overlooked him while immortalizing his infield teammates? Was it because his name didn’t fit neatly into Mr. Adams’ poem? “Tinker to Evers to Chance – to Steinfeldt??” Somehow that doesn’t have quite the same poetic ring to it!
Let’s Give Harry Steinfeldt His Due!
On October 24, 1905, the Reds traded Steinfeldt to the Cubs. His addition, along with star Jimmy Sheckard, made the Cubs “the greatest baseball machine in the country,” as one sportswriter at the time put it. He was the third baseman on the Cubs’ three consecutive pennant winners of 1906, ’07, and ’08, and again in 1910, including the World Series championships of ’07 and ’08.
Steinfeldt’s best season was his first with the Cubs, 1906, as he led the National League in hits (176), tied for most RBIs (83), and was second in batting average (.327). He also led all National League third basemen in fielding percentage (.954) in 1906, and did so again in three of his five seasons with the Cubs, earning a reputation as the best defensive third baseman of his era. Steinfeldt also had a stellar performance in the 1907 World Series, batting .471, leading the Cubs to a sweep over the Tigers in the Fall Classic.
Why Has Harry Been Slighted?
Harry Steinfeldt played 14 seasons in the major leagues (1899-1911) for the Reds (1898-1905), Cubs (1906-1910), and Boston Rustlers (1911). Over his career, he hit .267 with 1576 hits, 762 RBIs, and 759 runs. Steinfeldt’s career statistics compare favorably to his Hall of Fame middle infield teammates. Shortstop Joe Tinker played for 15 seasons, hitting .262, with 1690 hits, 774 runs, and 785 RBIs; while second baseman Johnny Evers logged 18 years in the majors hitting .270, 1659 hits, 536 RBIs, and 919 runs. All very similar numbers…so why the disrespect shown to Harry Steinfeldt?
Harry Steinfeldt passed away on August 17, 1917, at the age of 36. Maybe if his name had more of a poetic ring to it, he’d also be in the Hall of Fame. Who knows? So today I’m glad to shine our baseball spotlight on a fine ball player who’s been largely overlooked by his more famous teammates – who just happened to possess more poetly favorable names!
Baseball’s Sad Lexicon
These are the saddest of possible words:
“Tinker to Evers to Chance.”
Trio of bear cubs, and fleeter than birds,
Tinker and Evers and Chance.
Ruthlessly pricking our gonfalon bubble,
Making a Giant hit into a double –
Words that are heavy with nothing but trouble:
“Tinker to Evers to Chance.”
Gary Livacari
Photo Credits: All from Google search
Information: Excerpts edited from the Harry Steinfeldt Wikipedia page
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