Heinie Scheer

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Henry William "Heinie" Scheer (July 31, 1900 - March 21, 1976) was an American second baseman in Major League Baseball. Born in New York City, he played two seasons for the Philadelphia Athletics. His debut came on April 20, 1922, and he played his final game on September 26, 1923. He appeared in 120 games, including 91 as a second baseman. He had a career batting average of .212, with 6 home runs and 33 runs batted in.

On December 14, 1923, Scheer was traded by the Athletics with another player and $40,000 in cash to the Milwaukee franchise in the American Association for Hall of Fame outfielder Al Simmons. The next year, Simmons became a starter for the Athletics and went on to become one of the most feared hitters in baseball for the next 20 years. Scheer did not play another game in the major leagues. He died at age 75 in New Haven, Connecticut.

"Heinie" was a popular nickname for German baseball players in the early part of the 20th century. Scheer was one of 22 major league Heinies in the first half of the century. Others included: Heinie Beckendorf, 1909-10; Heinie Berger, 1907-10; Heinie Elder, 1913; Heinie Groh, 1912-27; Heinie Heitmuller, 1909-10; Heinie Heltzel, 1943-44; Heinie Jantzen, 1912; Heinie Kappel, 1887-89; Heinie Manush, 1923-39 - the only Hall of Fame "Heinie"; Heinie Meine, 1922-34; Heinie Mueller, 1920-35; Heinie Mueller, 1938-41; Heinie Odom, 1925; Heinie Peitz, 1892-1913; Heinie Reitz, 1893-99; Heinie Sand, 1923-28; Heinie Schuble, 1927-36; Heinie Smith, 1897-1903; Heinie Stafford, 1916; Heinie Wagner, 1902-18; and Heinie Zimmerman, 1907-19. There have been no players nicknamed Heinie in the major leagues since World War II.

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference