ANSON, CAP

born April 11/17, 1851, Marshalltown, Iowa, U.S. died April 14, 1922, Chicago, Ill. byname of Adrian Constantine Anson American professional baseball player and manager, known later as Pop, who played professionally for 27 years and was still in his team's regular lineup at the age of 46. Anson played in the National Association, the first professional baseball league, with the Forest City team of Rockford, Ill., in 1871 and with the Philadelphia Athletics (187275). He is believed to have batted .352 during those five years. In 1876, when the Chicago National Association team switched to the newly formed National League, Anson joined this club, and in 1879 he became its manager. He retired as a player and resigned as Chicago manager after the 1897 season and then was nonplaying manager of the New York team in the National League in 1898. Anson, who played first base for most of his career, was credited with batting championships in 1879, 1881, 1887, and 1888. He hit .399 in 1881 and is thought to have batted over .400 in 1879 and 1887. His total of hits in the National League is given as 2,995 or 3,081 (authorities differ); his National League career batting average is .329 or .339. As a manager Anson led Chicago to five National League championships. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939.