Baseball player Harry Steinfeldt, Chicago Cubs, rounding third base on the field in game against New York Giants 1908 Photo SUMMARY Informal full-length portrait of third baseman Harry Steinfeldt of the National League's Chicago Cubs baseball team, rounding third base on the field at West Side Grounds, located between West Polk Street, South Wolcott Avenue (formerly Lincoln Street), West Taylor Street, and South Wood Street in the Near West Side community area of Chicago, Illinois. Third baseman Arthur Devlin of the National League's New York Giants baseball team, is standing near third base. Crowds are visible in the bleachers in the background. NOTES This photonegative taken by a Chicago Daily News photographer may have been published in the newspaper. SDN-054439, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society. Credit below to Microsoft Baseball CD 'Harry Steinfeldt is the answer to one of baseball’s most famous trivia questions: Who played third base in the famous Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance infield? But Steinfeldt was no trivial performer. He made a significant contribution to the success of one of baseball’s most famous teams. Born in St. Louis in 1877, he originally planned to be an actor. But he performed so well in a baseball game played by his theatrical troupe that he decided to give it a whirl. In 1898 he joined the Cincinnati Reds and remained their regular third baseman for eight seasons. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound Harry Steinfeldt had an unusually strong arm and was sure-handed in the field. A right-handed batter, he hit with some power, and although he usually hit around .250, he was occasionally much better. In 1903, he batted .312 with 83 RBIs and led the National League in doubles. The 1906 season was his finest, his first with the Cubs. He hit .327, led the NL with 176 hits and 83 RBIs, and topped the league third baseman in fielding average. He led in fielding again in 1907 and in 1910. Harry Steinfeldt helped the Cubs to four pennants and two world championships from 1906 through 1910. He retired after the 1911 season with a .267 career batting average and 762 RBIs. He died in 1914.' |