Our friends John Schalcosky of Odd Pittsburgh has uncovered and updated some amazing footage of “The Flying Dutchman” Honus Wagner.
Filmed at the old Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, used by minor league teams in the area for over 30 years as well as the set for several films featuring baseball, the then 59-year-old Wagner talks about his start in baseball, some of his memories and shows footage of him hitting and fielding (and looking pretty good!)
Filmed in 1933, the first year of his nearly 20 years as the Pirates hitting instructor, Wagner is also filmed coaching third base.
“Sure glad again to be in this old game of baseball, got that old hot sun down beating on you,” says Wagner in the video.
Wagner also talks about how much harder it is for pitchers in 1933 compared to when he played (1900-1917 with the Pirates), since they can’t use the spit ball, mud ball or other trick pitches.
He also says the gloves had less padding when he played.
Three years later, Wagner along with Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson, became the first class inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.