Wheat, Zack, 1888-1972
NationalityAmerican
BiographyInducted to the Hall of Fame in: 1959Primary team: Brooklyn Dodgers
Primary position: Left Fielder
"One of the grandest guys ever to wear a baseball uniform, one of the greatest batting teachers I have ever seen, one of the truest pals a man ever had and one of the kindliest men God ever created," Casey Stengel said of Wheat.
Born in Hamilton, Mo., on May 23, 1888, Wheat made his big league debut in 1909. He played 19 season in the major leagues, 18 of which came with Brooklyn before finishing his career in 1927 with the Philadelphia Athletics.
At 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, Wheat batted left-handed and threw right-handed. The outfielder topped the .300 mark in 13 full seasons, led the National League in batting in 1918 and finished with a .317 career batting average. He was also an outstanding fly chaser with a strong arm, leading National League left fielders in putouts seven times and fielding percentage twice.
Wheat's Brooklyn teams reached .500 in only five of his seasons, but he did help his teams claim NL pennants in 1916 and 1920.
Wheat spent the first part of his career in the Dead Dall Era and his best season during those years came in 1914 when he hit .319 with 26 doubles, nine triples, nine home runs and 89 RBI.
When the livelier ball was introduced in the 1920s, Wheat made the necessary adjustments and averaged .347 at the plate from 1920-25, recording three 200-hit seasons in his mid 30s.
Wheat finished his career with 2,884 hits, 476 doubles, 1,289 runs scored and 1,248 RBI.
Wheat was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1959. He passed away on March 11, 1972.
