Chicago Cubs: The Heroes of Wrigley Series presents Hack Wilson

Chicago Cubs: Wilson’s unique physique and swing helped him

Wilson began his baseball career began when he moved to West Virginia to play Class “D” ball in the Blue Ridge League for the Martinsburg Mountaineers. His stout frame made him a perfect fit for catcher, where he played until he suffered a broken leg while attempting to slide into home plate.

After his recovery, he moved to the outfield. He quickly moved up the ranks and, by 1923, was playing the Class “B” division for the Portsmouth Truckers and leading the Virginia League in hitting with a .388 batting average. Late in that season, New York Giants manager, the legendary John McGraw, purchased his contract from the team for $10,500.

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Wilson made his Major League debut at the end of that season on September 29, 1923, playing in three games. In just those three appearances, Wilson showed flashes of power and speed in the outfield which amazed observes and was a sign of what was to come for the young outfielder.

By mid-July the following season, he ranked second in the National League in hitting, ending the year with a .295 average with 10 home runs and 57 RBI as New York won the NL Pennant before eventually falling to the Washington Senators in seven games in the 1924 World Series.

By ’24, he was known by his nickname, “Hack.” There are multiple reports as to the origin of this name. One variation is fans comparing his stocky build to a popular wrestler named, George Hackenschmidt. The other comes from McGraw remarking that his physique was reminiscent of a “hack,” which was a slang term for a taxi cab in that era.

He hit the longest home run in Ebbets Field history in 1925 but Wilson fell into a deep slump and was soon after benched. On July 2, he managed to hit two home runs in one inning but his hitting woes continued and the Giants sent him down to their minor league affiliate, the Toledo Mud Hens, which left him unprotected. The last-place Chicago Cubs promptly claimed him off waivers. It was a belief that this was less of a “clerical error” that allowed him to become a free agent and more of a cover story for McGraw’s fervent desire to rid himself of Wilson and his off-field antics.