Charlie Hickman
From BR Bullpen
Charles Taylor Hickman (Piano Legs or Cheerful Charlie)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 11½", Weight 215 lb.
- School West Virginia University
- Debut September 8, 1897
- Final Game July 31, 1908
- Born March 4, 1876 in Taylortown, PA USA
- Died April 19, 1934 in Morgantown, WV USA
[edit] Biographical Information
"Piano Legs is one of the best-liked players in the game, without an enemy in either league . . ." - from the Sporting Life issue of February 12, 1910
Charlie "Piano Legs" Hickman played 12 years in the major leagues, posting a very respectable 132 OPS+, tied on the all-time list with Al Simmons, Fred Clarke, Rocky Colavito and Tony Gwynn. A multi-position infielder/outfielder, Charlie also pitched 30 games with a record of 10-8.
An early slugger, Hickman was the first player to lead a league in hits while playing for two teams (Boston and Cleveland) with 193 in 1902. That year, he approached a triple crown season when he was second in the American League in home runs (11) and RBI (110), and third in BA (.363). On June 30, 1902, Nap Lajoie, Hickman, and Bill Bradley became the first trio to hit consecutive home runs in this century.
With the 1900 Giants, he set an National League record for errors by a third baseman with 91, after which he was usually stationed in the outfield or at first base.
Although a top player, Hickman never stayed too long with any one major league team. The longest stint he had was with Cleveland during part of 1902, all of 1903 and part of 1904. In the minors he did a little better with Toledo toward the end of his career - he played parts of four seasons with the Mud Hens during 1908-11.
Charlie's most common position in the majors was first base, where he played 394 games. He also played 242 in right field, 152 at second base, 140 at third base and lesser numbers at left field, shortstop, pitcher and center field.
He appeared on his first Baseball Card in the rare 1903 E107 Breisch Williams set.
His nickname described his massive limbs which supported his 5'9" 215-lb frame. (ME) He was considered a slow runner although he stole 72 bases in his major league career.
Hickman was the baseball coach at West Virginia University in 1913 and 1915-1917. He had attended the school in 1895-97 and remains through 2009 the player out of WVU with the most major league at-bats (Paul Popovich is a distant second).
According to the SABR biography of Hickman, much of his post-baseball career involved politics in Morgantown, WV. He served as city recorder and mayor, and also as county sheriff and captain of operations in the local office of the Department of Justice.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- AL Hits Leader (1902)
- AL Total Bases Leader (1902)
- 100 RBI Seasons: 1 (1902)
