Tommy Beals
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Thomas L. Beals (born August 1850 in New York City) was a right-handed utility player in the National Association and National League for the Washington Olympics, Washington Blue Legs, Boston Red Stockings, and Chicago White Stockings (predecessors of the Chicago Cubs) from 1871 to 1880.
Beals made his debut for the Olympics playing under the name W. Thomas on July 27, 1871. The National Association was still a somewhat disorganized league, and the Olympics were not in existence long after Beals signed on, as they folded nine games into their 1872 schedule. Beals joined the Blue Stockings the next season as a second baseman/catcher. He had the best season of his career, hitting .272 with a career-high 24 RBI on 46 hits.
In 1874, Beals started playing under his given name with the perennially powerful Red Stockings. As a part-time second baseman/outfielder, he only managed to hit .196. He reprised his part-time role in the Boston outfield the next season but significantly increased his production, hitting .265. After that 1875 season, the National Association became the National League, and Beals was without a job in baseball for the next four seasons.
Beals mysteriously reemerged in 1880 with the White Stockings at age 29. He played 13 games for the Chicago club that season, hitting a career-low .152, and hung up his spikes after the season.
Beals passed away October 2, 1915 in San Francisco, California.
