MLB Trivia

[blackfordpu]

Last night the Dodgers' Nomar Garciaparra extended his hitting streak to 22 games with a home run against the Cardinals. The first baseman entered the game batting .358 and tied with the Pirates' Freddy Sanchez for the NL lead. Garciaparra won the AL batting title in 1999 and 2000 and could become just the second player finish atop both leagues. Who was the first?

[Gil Dobie]

Last night the Dodgers' Nomar Garciaparra extended his hitting streak to 22 games with a home run against the Cardinals. The first baseman entered the game batting .358 and tied with the Pirates' Freddy Sanchez for the NL lead. Garciaparra won the AL batting title in 1999 and 2000 and could become just the second player finish atop both leagues. Who was the first?

Ed Delahanty
1899 Philadelphia NL .410
1902 Washington AL .376 Lajoie is listed in some list, but had fewer AB's.

The greatest natural hitter of his time, Ed Delahanty died tragically when he was swept over Niagara Falls at the age of 35. Apparantly, he was kicked off a train, by the train's conductor, for being drunk and disorderly. The conductor said Delahanty was brandishing a straight razor and threatening passengers. After being kicked off the train, Delananty started his way across the International Bridge (near Niagara Falls) and fell or jumped off the bridge (some accounts say Ed was yelling about death that night). Whether 'Big Ed' died from his plunge over the Falls, or drowned on the way to the Falls is uncertain.

[blackfordpu]

Answer:

Hall of Famer Ed Delahanty led the NL in 1899 with a .410 average for the Phillies and three years later led the junior circuit at .376 for the Senators.