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For most sport fans in Northern Ireland , the
name Billy Hamilton means passion and power on the
football pitch. A heroic figure in the shock 1-0 victory
over the host nation at the 1982 World Cup finals.
Well ...actually .....if you like baseball.......this
is the only Billy Hamilton you`d want to sing about
..
William Robert Hamilton is part of baseball`s hall of
fame and has some pretty impressive statistics.
William Robert Hamilton
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Photo by Dusty Harshman |
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- Born: February 16, 1866, Newark, New Jersey
- Died: December 16, 1940, Worcester, Massachusetts
- Bats: left
- Throws: right
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Elected to Hall of Fame by Committee on Baseball Veterans:
1961
Although best remembered as a base thief, "Sliding"
Billy Hamilton also excelled at bat and in the outfield.
His 912 career stolen bases and single-season totals
of 111 (1889 and 1891) stood as records for almost
80 years.
One of only three players in Major League history with
more runs scored than games played, Hamilton was perhaps
the best player of the 1890s.
Seven times a stolen-base champion, he combined raw
speed, daring baserunning, patience at the plate, and
a .344 career average (sixth-best all-time) to become
the game's first great leadoff hitter. In a period when
stolen bases were also credited when baserunners gained
more bases than a batter earned on a hit, Hamilton compiled
phenomenal stolen base totals.
Just like our "Billy" , Sliding Billy hung his boots
up due to knee problems and he retired after hitting
only .287 in 1901.
The soccer Billy Hamilton now makes his living running
his own sports trophy business, in Bangor Co. Down.
Have you any intersting stories or facts about the
Northern Ireland team , past or present? Use the form
at the bottom of this page to write your comments. |
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