U.S. #3408q
33¢ Honus Wagner
Legends of Baseball

Issue Date: July 6, 2000
City: Atlanta, GA
Color: Multicolored
Quantity: 11,250,000
Printed by: Ashton-Potter (USA) Ltd
Printing Method: Lithographed
Perforations: Serpentine die cut 11.25
Color: Multicolored<...  more

U.S. #3408q
33¢ Honus Wagner
Legends of Baseball

Issue Date: July 6, 2000
City: Atlanta, GA
Color: Multicolored
Quantity: 11,250,000
Printed by: Ashton-Potter (USA) Ltd
Printing Method: Lithographed
Perforations: Serpentine die cut 11.25
Color: Multicolored

Many consider Honus Wagner (1874-1955) to be the best shortstop, even the greatest all-around player, in baseball history. Wagner quit school at the age of 12 and went to work in the Pennsylvania coalfields. His baseball career began when he was 21 years old.

Despite his awkward appearance, Wagner possessed great speed. This earned him the nickname the “Flying Dutchman.” The Louisville Colonels were the first major league team Wagner played for. In 1900, as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Wagner won the first of his eight batting titles, four of which were in a row.

Wagner established himself as the Pirates’ shortstop. At the end of his career in 1917, he had played at every position except pitcher and catcher. Wagner batted .300 or higher in a record 17 consecutive seasons, and still holds the national league record for most triples with 252. His career batting average stands at .329. A solid fielder, Wagner recorded the second-highest number of putouts by a shortstop.

After his retirement from baseball, Wagner coached several teams, including the Pirates from 1933 to 1951. He also owned a sporting goods store with fellow player Pie Traynor. In 1936, Honus Wagner was one of the first five players elected to the Hall of Fame.