William "Wid" Conroy

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William Edward "Wid" Conroy, was an American Major League Baseball player active during the first decade of the 20th century. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 5, 1877, Conroy made his Major League debut on April 25, 1901 with the Milwaukee Brewers at the age of 24. He played his last game on October 5, 1911 for the Washington Senators, retiring at 34 years. Standing at 5' 9" (177 cm) and weighing 158 lb. (11 stone 4 lb or 72 kg), Conroy epitomized the role of a utility man, playing five positions (3B, SS, 2B, OF, 1B) in his career. He played for the Milwaukee Brewers (1901), Pittsburgh Pirates (1902), New York Yankees (1903-1908), Washington Senators (1909-1911)

He began his career as a shortstop, replacing Honus Wagner with Paterson in the Atlantic League, but was struck by malarial fever and dropped from the team. In 1900 Connie Mack invited him to try out for the Western Association team he would field in Milwaukee and transfer to Philadelphia when the American League began as a major circuit; Conroy won the last spot on the roster. Conroy was the first-string shortstop of the NL champion 1902 Pirates, but became a third baseman when he returned to the AL with the Highlanders (later the Yankees) in 1903. He led AL third basemen twice in total chances per game. His 22-year career in pro baseball ended as a Phillies coach in 1922.

During his prime, Wid consistently ranked in the top ten in most offensive categories as well as in stolen bases. Batting and throwing right handed, Conroy led the New York Highlanders with 4 home runs in 1906 and was fifth in league overall. He also stole 41 bases in 1907, second only to Ty Cobb who swiped 49 that year. On September 25, 1911 he set an AL record with 13 total chances at 3B in a 3-2 loss to Cleveland. Conroy's statistics compare to such modern players as Ricky Gutierrez, but it must be taken into account that offensive baseball has come to dominate the game today far more than it did in Conroy's era.

His career stats are as follows:

  • Games: 1377
  • Average: .248
  • HR: 22
  • RBI: 452


In the 1945 BBWAA Hall of Fame voting Conroy obtained 1 vote and a percentage of .4. Despite this, the Commissioner issued Conroy a pass to all National League ball games after he retired. Wid Conroy died on December 6, 1959 in Mt. Holly, NJ.

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