Ralph Edwards

Edwards

• Bats unknown, Throws unknown

• Debut September 17, 1915
• Final Game September 17, 1915

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Biographical Information

A player named Edwards appeared at second base in one game for the Philadelphia Athletics on September 17, 1915. He has traditionally been identified as Ralph Strunk Edwards, but that is almost certainly wrong, as Ralph was from New York State, whereas the player was identified in contemporary newspaper accounts as being from the Chicago City League - and possibly a collegian playing under an assumed name, according to one of the papers. This explains why the player's true identity remains a mystery to this day.

With a debut date of 1915, he is the most recent player in the non-Negro major leagues for which there is absolutely no clue about his date of death. Most of the players that fall into this category played in the 19th century, when the practice of inserting local amateur players into a team's line-up to fill a hole was relatively common. This had become quite rare by the 20th century, and Edwards is one of only three players who fall into this category - the others being Leo Harrison (in 1901) and R.E. Hillebrand (in 1902). In all three cases, the player's listed first name is subject to caution and also likely wrong.

Further Reading

• "A Mystery Player", in Bill Carle, ed.: Biographical Research Committee Report, SABR, July/August 2022, p. 3.
• "The Missing", in Bill Carle, ed.: Biographical Research Committee Report, SABR, May/June 2025, pp. 2-3.