Ed Delahanty
Strange death
Death Date 7/2/1903
Teams Phillies, Senators
Positions First Base, Left Field
The oldest of five brothers to play in the big leagues, Ed Delahanty was the first player in Major League history to hit over .400 three times.
Letter from Ed Delahanty's daughter wanting to donate to the Hall of Fame
Ed Delahanty's daughter Florence Delahanty Randall wrote to the Hall of Fame on May 16, 1946 offering to donate her father's, "…Silver Plated Baseball Bad (sic), which was presented to my Father the late Ed Delehanty, by Baseball Fans at Philadelphia during the height of his
Ed Delahanty's daughter Florence Delahanty Randall wrote to the Hall of Fame on May 16, 1946 offering to donate her father's, "…Silver Plated Baseball Bad (sic), which was presented to my Father the late Ed Delehanty, by Baseball Fans at Philadelphia during the height of his baseball career."
Note her spelling of her father's last name "D e l e h a n t y" with the second "e". We've never seen it spelled that way in any reputable baseball publication. She also closes the letter spelling the game the same way.
The Hall of Fame's curator Ernest Lanigan says yes to the donation
The curator of the Hall of Fame during this time was Ernest Lanigan. In this offering of May 21, 1946, Lanigan states, "It was very thoughtful of you to think of the Baseball Museum in connection with the bat and we will be very proud to have it and to see that it is
The curator of the Hall of Fame during this time was Ernest Lanigan. In this offering of May 21, 1946, Lanigan states, "It was very thoughtful of you to think of the Baseball Museum in connection with the bat and we will be very proud to have it and to see that it is prominently displayed."
Later in the letter, Lanigan mentions all the ball-playing Delahanty brothers, writing, "When I was living in Philadelphia, I saw your father play often. Knew Joe well, Frank and Jim slightly."
Lanigan again writes to Delahanty's daughter
In the correspondence dated June 9, 1946, Ernest Lanigan writes, "Enclosed find your father's playing record. Shortly I will send you copies of the box scores of his first minor league game and his first major league game. "I am enclosing some press releases on Jesse Burkett,Dan Br
In the correspondence dated June 9, 1946, Ernest Lanigan writes, "Enclosed find your father's playing record. Shortly I will send you copies of the box scores of his first minor league game and his first major league game.
"I am enclosing some press releases on Jesse Burkett,Dan Brouthers, Jim O'Rourke, and Mike Kelly. I think you saw some of these men play."
The mention of the four 19th century players and the allusion to Delahanty makes this a highly desirable letter on National Baseball Museum letterhead.
Lanigan's records on Ed Delahanty's career
Quite an interesting piece here as runs batted in is not listed. They were not kept as an official statistic during Delahanty's career. Lanigan was instrumental in getting the stat into the mainstream and eventually into every Major League box score. Delahanty died a mysterious death. A drunke
Quite an interesting piece here as runs batted in is not listed. They were not kept as an official statistic during Delahanty's career. Lanigan was instrumental in getting the stat into the mainstream and eventually into every Major League box score. Delahanty died a mysterious death. A drunken Delahanty was kicked off of a train traveling over Niagara Falls. A few minutes later, he fell to his death. Exact circumstances are unknown.
Lanigan and the Hall acknowledge receipt of the donated Delahanty silver plated bat
By June 26, 1946 Ernest Lanigan and the Hall received the bat. Lanigan writes, "Some stories of the Hall of Famers are enclosed and some pictures." Lanigan enclosed a story about Ed Delahanty and of his daughter's generous donation.
By June 26, 1946 Ernest Lanigan and the Hall received the bat. Lanigan writes, "Some stories of the Hall of Famers are enclosed and some pictures."
Lanigan enclosed a story about Ed Delahanty and of his daughter's generous donation.
Lanigan's article about Delahanty in which he mentions the donation
Lanigan wrote an article about Delahanty and sent it to Big Ed's daughter. The article reads, "Another admirer…gave the great hitter a silver bat… Ed's daughter — Mrs. J.K. Randall of Mobile, Ala. — has presented it to the National Baseball Museum." A
Lanigan wrote an article about Delahanty and sent it to Big Ed's daughter. The article reads, "Another admirer…gave the great hitter a silver bat… Ed's daughter — Mrs. J.K. Randall of Mobile, Ala. — has presented it to the National Baseball Museum."
A box score of Delahanty's first minor league game also adorns the article.
George Sisler
Rogers Hornsby
Jesse Burkett
Nap Lajoie
3 responses to "Ed Delahanty"
Dan McMartin says:
"Big Ed" would be considered small by today's baseball standards at 6'1″, 170 pounds
Perkins says:
Should have followed Mike Donlin and married into show biz
Boy, this one's a real gem. Very thoughtful of Big Ed's daughter to donate that special bat.