Vin Campbell

Arthur Vincent Campbell

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 185 lb.
• School Vanderbilt University
• High School Smith Academy
• Debut June 6, 1908
• Final Game September 27, 1915
• Born January 30, 1888 in St. Louis, MO USA
• Died November 16, 1969 in Towson, MD USA

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Biographical Information

"Probably the most valuable find of the year..." - from the American Magazine in 1911, speaking about the Pirates picking up Campbell from the minors before the 1910 season

Outfielder Vin Campbell played six seasons in the majors, first in the National League and then in the Federal League. He was among league leaders in batting average in both leagues.

Campbell, who was at Vanderbilt from 1906 to 1908, was the second player from that university to come to the majors. He did so in June 1908, presumably shortly after school ended. He got one at bat with the Chicago Cubs, who went on to win the World Series, their last title for 108 years. In 1910, when Campbell came back to the majors, he finished second in the league in batting while playing the outfield with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He bested Honus Wagner's .320 with a .326 mark, although Campbell only had 282 at bats. After hitting .312 in 93 at-bats in 1911, he was traded to the Boston Braves for "Turkey" Mike Donlin. With the Braves in 1912 he hit .296, leading the team in runs scored and doubles. The team, however, lost 101 games. Campbell came back in 1914 and 1915 to play in the short-lived Federal League, finishing in the top ten in batting average both years. His team in 1914, the Indianapolis Hoosiers, won the pennant and Campbell had the second best batting average among the regulars (behind Benny Kauff).

An article called "Seeking the .300 Hitter", in the 1911 American Magazine, states that Campbell was the son of a prominent doctor who attended a private prep school. He played football in college and joined the Cubs as a catcher but was not ready. Manager Frank Chance thought about using him at first base, but Campbell was not ready there either. Vin was sent to Decatur, but it violated rules and he was declared a free agent. He chose to go to Aberdeen to learn how to play outfield, and Fred Clarke of the Pirates was alerted to keep a watch on him. A baseball card from his days with the Pirates, put out by Tip Top Bread around this time, is said to have sold for $550 (in excellent condition) in 2002.

Related Sites

• Vin Campbell at the SABR Bio Project