Jimmy Wolf
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William Van Winkle "Jimmy" Wolf (May 12, 1862 - May 16, 1903) was a 19th century Major League Baseball player from Louisville, Kentucky who played most often in the outfield, but occasionally would played other position in the infield.[1]
Jimmy, or as he was sometimes called, "Chicken", played for his his hometown team, the Louisville Colonels of the American Association from 1882, when they were called the Eclipse, to 1891. When the American Association folded, he then moved on to play for the St. Louis Browns of the National League in 1892. It turned out to be his last season in the major leagues as he would only play 3 games for the Browns when he decided to retire.
In 1889, with the team 2-8 after ten games under player-manager Dude Esterbrook, the managerial reigns were handed over to Jimmy, who lasted 65 games, winning only 14 of them. The other two managers to follow; Dan Shannon and Jack Chapman didn't fare any better, as Louisville won only 27 games that year with 111 losses. In 1890, he led the American Association in batting with .363.
Jimmy died in 1903 at the age of 41, from the effects of brain trauma he suffered a few years before in fire fighting accident, and was buried at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville.[2] This cemetery is where other Louisville ballplayers have been buried as well, including childhood friend and teammate Pete Browning.[3]
