Hack Wilson

Center Fielder

Class of 1979

Hack Wilson

Center Fielder

Class of 1979
Though his tenure in baseball was relatively short, Hack Wilson made an imprint on the game that resonates to this day.

Games

Birth year

About Hack Wilson

Lewis R. "Hack" Wilson played in major league baseball for 12 seasons, finishing his career with a lifetime .307 average, 244 home runs and 1,063 RBI.

Though his tenure in baseball was relatively short, his impact of the game resonates to this day.

After stellar seasons in the minors from 1921-23, Wilson's contract was purchased by the New York Giants in September of 1923 for a reported $11,000. Wilson hit .295 in 107 games in 1924, helping the Giants win the National League pennant. But he struggled in 1925, prompting Giants manager John McGraw to send Wilson to Double-A Toledo of the American Association. Following that season, the Cubs took Wilson in the Rule 5 Draft.

From there, Wilson began a five-year stretch that saw him lead in the NL in home runs four times and RBI twice. At 5-foot-6 and 190 pounds, Wilson was also a capable defender in center field – leading the league in fielding percentage in 1926 (.972) and putouts in 1927 (400).

But it was at the plate where Wilson established his legend. After leading the NL with 159 RBI in 1929 while powering the Cubs to the NL pennant, Wilson had one of the greatest seasons in big league history in 1930. He launched 56 long balls, a National League record that stood for 68 years, and totaled 191 RBI – still the all-time major league single-season record – with a .356 batting average. In his season of highlights, he also had a .723 slugging percentage, walked 105 times and compiled 423 total bases.

Wilson’s RBI total puts him ahead of fellow Hall of Famers Lou Gehrig (who had 185 in 1931), Hank Greenberg (with 184 in 1937) and Jimmie Foxx (who had 175 in 1938). No player has gotten within 15 RBI of his mark since Foxx in 1938.

Wilson drove in more than 100 runs in six of his 12 seasons. He also led the league in walks twice and retired with a .395 on-base percentage and a .940 OPS.

Wilson passed away on Nov. 23, 1948. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1979.

The Basics

Year inducted
1979
Birth Place
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
Birth Year
1900
Died
1948, Baltimore Maryland

Career at a Glance

Primary Team
Chicago Cubs
Primary Position
Center Fielder
Played For
New York Giants, 1923-1925
Chicago Cubs, 1926-1931
Brooklyn Dodgers, 1932-1934
Philadelphia Phillies, 1934

Career MLB Stats

Games
1,348
At bats
4,760
Hits
1,461
Walks
674
Runs
884
Doubles
266
Triples
67
Home Runs
244
RBI
1,063
Stolen Bases
52
Batting Average
.307
Ops
.940
On Base %
.395
Slugging %
.545

Hack Wilson Stories

Explore the archives and go deep into the lives, careers, and stories of the Hall of Fame's honorees.

Hack Wilson, Art Shires mixed baseball and boxing more than 80 years ago

Giles, Wilson elected as part of Class of 1979