Hack Wilson

Date of Birth: April 26, 1900

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: November 23, 1948

Biography

Lewis Robert “Hack” Wilson was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) player who played primarily as a center fielder for the New York Giants, Chicago Cubs, Brooklyn Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies. Born in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, Wilson became one of the most feared sluggers of his era, known for his immense power and stocky build. He is best remembered for his 1930 season with the Chicago Cubs, during which he set the MLB record for RBIs in a single season with 191—a record that still stands today. Despite his success on the field, Wilson struggled with alcoholism, which ultimately shortened his career and impacted his post-baseball life.

5 Interesting Facts about Hack Wilson

1. Hack Wilson was only 5 feet 6 inches tall, making his power-hitting prowess even more remarkable given his relatively short stature.

2. In 1930, he hit 56 home runs, setting a National League record that stood for 68 years until it was broken by Sammy Sosa in 1998.

3. Wilson’s 191 RBIs in the 1930 season remain the highest single-season total in MLB history.

4. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, long after his death.

5. Wilson’s nickname, “Hack,” was inspired by the famous wrestler George Hackenschmidt, due to Wilson’s muscular build and strength.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Hack Wilson

1. “Alcohol was the greatest of my foes. It caught me with a terrific wallop and kicked me into the gutter.”

2. “There are many kids in and out of baseball who think that just because they have some natural talent, they have the world by the tail. It isn’t so. In baseball, or in life, there’s always somebody ready to take your job.”

3. “I had an ideal life in baseball. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

4. “I never played a game in my life where I didn’t have to overcome some kind of adversity.”

5. “You can’t hit what you can’t see, and you can’t see what you can’t hit.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Hack Wilson’s highest net worth at the peak of his career was modest by today’s standards, likely around $50,000, which would be equivalent to approximately $750,000 today when adjusted for inflation. However, he died in relative poverty.

Children

Hack Wilson had one son, Robert Wilson, who was born in 1925. The relationship between Hack and his son was strained, particularly due to Hack’s struggles with alcoholism and his tumultuous lifestyle.