Today in Wheeling History: October 31--Wheeling-born Major League Baseball player Dick Padden, who began his baseball career playing exhibition games against the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Spiders in Wheeling and Martins Ferry, dies in Martins Ferry (1922).
Richard Joseph "Dick" Padden, nicknamed "Brains" for his intelligent play on the field, was born in Wheeling, West Virginia on September 17, 1870, to Irish immigrants Michael and Mary Ellen (Gainerd) Padden. Though born in Wheeling, he grew up across the Ohio River in Martins Ferry, Ohio, where he would spend most of his life. His mother died when he was just three years old. His father worked in a glass factory, and young Richard followed in his footsteps, learning the trade of glass working. Padden began his baseball career playing for local semipro teams, including the Martins Ferry Red Stockings, where he started as a pitcher at age 16. After arm trouble forced him to switch positions, he became a middle infielder. Standing 5'10" and weighing between 170-180 pounds, he played nine seasons in Major League Baseball (1896-1905) for teams including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Senators, St. Louis Cardinals, and St. Louis Browns. Known for his defensive skills and baseball intelligence, he posted a career .258 batting average. After baseball, he operated a billiard hall and bowling alley in Martins Ferry. Padden died on October 31, 1922, at age 52 in Martins Ferry following a stroke while playing pinochle at an Elks club. He was buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Martins Ferry.
To learn more: Society for American Baseball Research (https://tinyurl.com/yw9ansbt), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/3w47u9u9), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/bd58y35d), Baseball Reference (https://tinyurl.com/7srav55n)
Photo credits: Chicago Daily News, Find a Grave, American Flint
Richard Joseph "Dick" Padden, nicknamed "Brains" for his intelligent play on the field, was born in Wheeling, West Virginia on September 17, 1870, to Irish immigrants Michael and Mary Ellen (Gainerd) Padden. Though born in Wheeling, he grew up across the Ohio River in Martins Ferry, Ohio, where he would spend most of his life. His mother died when he was just three years old. His father worked in a glass factory, and young Richard followed in his footsteps, learning the trade of glass working. Padden began his baseball career playing for local semipro teams, including the Martins Ferry Red Stockings, where he started as a pitcher at age 16. After arm trouble forced him to switch positions, he became a middle infielder. Standing 5'10" and weighing between 170-180 pounds, he played nine seasons in Major League Baseball (1896-1905) for teams including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Senators, St. Louis Cardinals, and St. Louis Browns. Known for his defensive skills and baseball intelligence, he posted a career .258 batting average. After baseball, he operated a billiard hall and bowling alley in Martins Ferry. Padden died on October 31, 1922, at age 52 in Martins Ferry following a stroke while playing pinochle at an Elks club. He was buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Martins Ferry.
To learn more: Society for American Baseball Research (https://tinyurl.com/yw9ansbt), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/3w47u9u9), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/bd58y35d), Baseball Reference (https://tinyurl.com/7srav55n)
Photo credits: Chicago Daily News, Find a Grave, American Flint
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