On This Day

Hack Wilson

Athlete

Born: Died: American

Lewis Robert "Hack" Wilson (April 26, 1900 – November 23, 1948) was an American Major League Baseball player who played 12 seasons for the New York Giants, Chicago Cubs, Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies. Despite his diminutive stature, he was one of the most accomplished power hitters in the game during the late 1920s and early 1930s. His 1930 season with the Cubs is widely considered one of the most memorable individual single-season hitting performances in baseball history. Highlights included 56 home runs, the National League record for 68 years, and 191 runs batted in, an MLB record yet to be approached; the closest any player has come to having that many RBIs came in the very next season, when Lou Gehrighad 185 for the New York Yankees. "For a brief span of a few years," wrote a sportswriter of the day, "this hammered down little strongman actually rivaled the mighty Ruth."

While Wilson's combativeness and excessive alcohol consumption made him one of the most colorful sports personalities of his era, his drinking and fighting undoubtedly contributed to a premature end to his athletic career and, ultimately, his premature death.

Notable For

American baseball player

Hack Wilson's Historical Timeline

  1. Hack Wilson is born

    Hack Wilson, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1900-04-26.

  2. Chicago Cubs' Hack Wilson's two home runs give him the NL record of 56 home runs

    The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central Division.

Associated Historical Events

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Hack Wilson born?
Hack Wilson was born on 1900-04-26 (American).
What is Hack Wilson known for?
American baseball player
What historical events involved Hack Wilson?
Hack Wilson was involved in 2 recorded historical events, including Hack Wilson is born, Chicago Cubs' Hack Wilson's two home runs give him the NL record of 56 home runs.
When did Hack Wilson die?
Hack Wilson died on 1948-01-01.

Related Years