Honus Wagner asked if baseball was rougher when he played then

[@universegalaxyuniversegalaxy]

Michael Jordan has no case to be the number 1 NBA player of all time. He has no case to be the number 1 NBA shooting guard of all time. He never had a case to be the number 1 NBA player when he was in the NBA. If you are going to rank players, lots of players are better than him. Lots of players could beat him in a one on one game. He doesn't have the best NBA statistics of all time. He is not the best scorer of all time. He is the most overrated sports star in the history of mankind. And I could give you more examples, but you get the point.............Also, Michael Jordan fans have lots of takes where they are wrong, or where they make things up, or where they contradict themselves, or where they move the goal post, or where they don't do enough research, or where they cherry pick things, or where they are not consistent, or where they react in a negative way if someone has a take that they think is taking away from Michael Jordan..........Also, Michael Jordan fans are the worst sports fans of all time, and they are the flat Earthers of the NBA world then.....................Now, if you disagree, you can go on my program and show me why you are right. If you want to go on email [e-mail]...........And now watch how most Michael Jordan fans will ignore all this, and they won't go on my podcast to show me how they're right on whatever they disagree on, and they will get annoyed, and they will write something negative online...........and you know why they are like this?.............Because they know that they have no proof that will prove that I am wrong on whatever they disagree on, and they are in love with Michael Jordan, and they have too much pride to admit that they are wrong in anything, and they are not educated on the NBA.

[@Steve-gx9ot]

You MORON GAS LIGHTER, EFF OFF DODO BRAIN LOL

[@MikeCee7]

It’s really incredible to hear someone’s voice recording, who started playing baseball, way back in 1895. 2:05

[@jimmyjakes1823]

Wagner has sort of an old fashioned American speech rhythm where he lets the sentences trail off, but he basically sounds like any granddad you'd run into in a small town. What I notice when watching these really old interviews is that the media people's accents change a lot over time. The guy asking the questions has that 1950's showbiz voice, like he's doing a comedy bit.

[@Kenneth-c4j]

It is.👍

[@hanzzarkov7690]

I was thinking that as i was listening. Absolutely.

[@steelers6titles]

@@jimmyjakes1823 Honus retired to Carnegie, Pa., across the river from the "Burgh. And you could indeed run into him at local establishments there. He always had a place in the Pirates dugout.

[@Dumballa]

I could listen to Honus talk baseball everyday for the rest of my life and I’d be happy and better for it.

[@herbs275]

That's how good he was boys.

[@ProudGoyim666]

agreed indeed. america is great, or WAS-until ruined by certain mindframes.

[@sue08401]

Notice the part where he said the sharpened their spikes - They were metal and yep they sharpened them and when they slid into a base they had a leg with sharpened spikes up so the fielder had to be careful. Dad was a pro in the 1930's

[@mplslawnguy3389]

Ty Cobb notoriously sharpened his spikes and was quite the mean SOB from what I’ve read. Totally different time with tough, tough people. They went through real hardship in those days, which produced tough men. Look at how we live today, and look at some of the men we produce now, if you can even call them that.

[@poopshoes7579]

@@mplslawnguy3389you say tougher, I say better; they had respect, standards AND balls

[@Geferulf_TAS]

@mplslawnguy3389 Yeah, its do tough and manly to cheat and try to intentionally maim fellow opponents to take them out of games or end their careers

[@richrodgers9961]

@@mplslawnguy3389according to the internet, there are lots of manly men out there

[@wrsmith711]

the metal is known as steel.

[@douglassun8456]

It's first thing in the morning and I already learned something today! I never knew that "Honus" was a short form of "Johannes."

[@rockyk1950]

Listen. Honus is pronounced with a soft O, as in “on“. Not a long ago like the interviewer is doing. Listen to the way honest says his name himself. He is from Carnegie, Pennsylvania, a couple miles outside of Pittsburgh. The absolute greatest shortstop of all time, no doubt. No question. All you want, but you were wrong.

[@sawgames8623]

They're all forms of 'Yohanan' with 'John' being the most common in English, so YOU'RE wrong.

[@sawgames8623]

​@@rockyk1950also, Honus's name is literally Johannes. You are a complete ldiot.

[@gargenfluckgosphenspiels4849]

Honusly I didn't know either

[@G_v._Losinj2_ImportantPlaylist]

@@sawgames8623Ioannes in Latin and the German is closest

[@HarveyMazel-ts8np]

This interview is from 1946, possibly from ‘45 or ‘44. Honus makes that known when he makes a remark about the Reds current manager at the time, Bill McKechnie.

[@7Steveski]

Thank you!

[@dfyt9179]

Do you know the interviewer? Ernie Harwell?

[@zRevol]

Thank you! Crazy how it’s not in the description and I had to scroll through the comments for a couple minutes to find this.. blows my mind how most people ARENT curious when the interview took place..

[@KevinDonlin]

@@dfyt9179Lifelong Tiger fan here: That’s not Ernie 😊

[@ElectricCompany]

It could even be as early as '42, Coscarat's first year with the Pirates. McKechnie would have been managing the Reds then as well. I'd love to find the exact year.

[@Paul-lm5gv]

Fascinating to hear one of the great ballplayers talk about the old days!

[@hcreek]

My grandfather was born in 1889 and raised in Pittsburgh. He spoke of watching Honus Wagner play.

[@keeosama]

What was his best story

[@capacola262743]

@@keeosama "i saw honus wagner play, by crackie!" the end.

[@ProudGoyim666]

Nice, man!

[@davidca96]

its crazy hearing Honus Wagners voice, and how valuable his baseball card is.

[@NoPlanNoProb]

How valuable is it? My grandpa has a few

[@timorean320]

​@@NoPlanNoProb1 recently sold at auction for like 7 Million. These were cards that you got with Tobacco, which he was against, there is a story behind it, hence the rarity of card. I doubt its one of those, but any Honus in fair condition would bring a pretty penny. PSA does grading, get them graded, go from there. Condition is everything.

[@9ZERO6]

@@NoPlanNoProb some original (and most are most definitely not) cards are worth millions. I think the most valuable card sold to date is a Honus Wagner.

[@jtq-81]

@@9ZERO6 The 1909 T206 Wagner graded SGC 2 is actually the second highest selling card in history with a price of $7.25M

[@CADClicker]

​@@NoPlanNoProb He doesn't but I hope you got the attention you were looking for

[@just_nate_8694]

First time I've heard him talk ... goosebumps like crazy ❤️

[@tubularbill]

Priceless. Just priceless. One of the greatest of all time.

[@HouMat-if5fi]

He started playing 30 years after the civil war.

[@HouMat-if5fi]

@Don-rl1sm You don't even know how to use punctuation, genius.

[@Snowmelt_Forever]

@Don-rl1sm that's cute

[@ericbutler739]

Context is everything, very interesting perspective.

[@ericbutler739]

​@Don-rl1smWow, you need to lay off the crazy bro.

[@IHT.369]

@Don-rl1sm this aggression will cause you to be reported

[@plantfeeder6677]

This was fantastic! What a time capsule. Loved it thank you!

[@stpaulimdog]

You got a Honus Wagner recording. Nice!

[@BigBobber19]

Honus how would you do against these young pitchers today? I'd probably only hit .270 against them. You have a lifetime batting average of .330, why would you only hit .270? Because I'm 75 you dope!

[@ibott50]

That was actually Ty Cobb

[@BigBobber19]

@@ibott50 I know...I stole it.

[@ibott50]

⁠😂

[@ryetim32]

THAT was Ty Cobb

[@DWilliam1]

Ted Williams quote.

[@rand49er]

Very interesting to hear his actual voice.

[@chazdomingo475]

Man still remembered the name of the train conductor that took him to Steubenville 50 years prior.

[@jto76]

Dean Martin's hometown!

[@toddsmods.623]

Big Red baby.

[@ryetim32]

"Come for 35 or stay home" LOL

[@lexhawkins7442]

Yeah, I caught that too, then had to ride a coal train to get there!

[@tct84]

😂I lol at that too

[@rondempesmeier1845]

I believe Honus made the right choice.

[@John-pc3cx]

This interview is gold.

[@Rockhound6165]

Am I the only one fascinated at how people talked back then?

[@nathanpapp432]

Its just the host with that awful Mid-Atlantic nonsense.

[@JohnMonsterCanada]

@@nathanpapp432 and the announcer sounds like a young Bob Costas

[@reybarreto7979]

This recording is pure gold. To hear legendary Honus Wagner’s voice, it’s like finding the Holy Grail. It’s like resurrecting the legend, bringing him back to life so we can hear his gravelly voice telling us a story and giving us a glimpse of the person behind the voice, and for a moment the legend becomes flesh and blood again, able to communicate to us and confirm the brutal and barbaric history of early baseball, how ball players would sharpen their spikes in hopes of inflicting as much damage as possible to the opposing team, and how pitchers would aim for the head, purposely hitting the opposing players to earn more money, and Wagner would know because he lived through those days, he himself had spikes lunging at him and balls thrown at him, but Wagner emerged as the best among them, he survived the brutality and, through his own toughness and superhuman skills, he ascended to the sublime heights of the immortals like Ty Cobb. These legendary ball players were not saints, they were as nasty and ruthless as those they battled against, but they distinguished themselves through their heroics on the ball field. Although they were not saints, Christy Mathewson, Walter Johnson, and Honus Wagner were known for being more dignified than other players of their era. While they may not have been saints, these men were something greater - they were gods - and they will forever be the immortal gods of baseball.

[@garymorris1856]

Wagner was an absolute beast physically, just at his build and his arms.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

Go watch some videos in color of Lou Gehrig. The dude looked like an absolute Greek statue.

[@garymorris1856]

@@SimpleManGuitars1973 I have, and yes, Gehrig's upper torso is impressive.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

@@garymorris1856 His thighs too. He'd probably be great in any era.

[@garymorris1856]

@@SimpleManGuitars1973 I agree, he also would have been a great football player.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

@@garymorris1856 What's crazy is he naturally looked like what all the roided out 90's players had to cheat to look like.

[@mikegazanchyan2423]

Wow really enjoyed this. Going to have my 4th grader listen to this on the ride home after school today.

[@charleshonig7080]

Wow, The Legend comes to Life!😊

[@ronames6394]

;-) ... Truly one of the All-time GGGreatest! Thanx for the historic share :))

[@ronames6394]

Note, His Baseball cards R worth a fortunate. Rare to find n worth Millions in the collectors' markets. I believe his highly valued card was just over $ 7 million :Dollars.

[@docmalthus]

I recall when Wagner encountered Ty Cobb on the field for the first time. Cobb was taunting Wagner, calling him sauerkraut, etc. The first time Wagner got a chance to tag him out he tagged Cobb's mouth, splitting his lip. You better believe it was tougher in those days!

[@DonTrump-sv1si]

That was before the jews took over and made males more feminine and vice versa

[@BeckVMH]

Their first occasion on the field together was the 1909 World Series. If that story were true, Wagner wasn’t too offended because they’d been hunting together in Georgia by Dec 1909; source: NY Times, Dec 7, 1909. It was in fact, a different era as Wagner so eloquently described in the latter part of this interview 3:19 and the game allowed it.

[@Ken4Pyro]

@@BeckVMH Excellent reply. It's worth noting that Wagner and Cobb played in two different leagues, and would likely never have been on the field at the same time, except perhaps during spring training when interleague play was not uncommon, or perhaps a World Series as you noted. Bravo to you BeckVMH!

[@syrupofwahoo3059]

Luv it fellas, 61 yr old dude who loved baseball history and this is pura vida of baseball 🫶

[@jaykaufman9782]

Willie McCovey of the San Francisco Giants used to tag runners hard, but I don't think he ever smashed someone in the face.

[@stephenmitchell6368]

I think old Honus was probably right! Baseball was rougher and tougher in his day than today: No batting helmet, a single ball that might go several innings (becoming darker with each handling), much smaller rosters, limited medical staff, etc., etc.

[@AndyZach]

Plus spitballs were legal, scuffed balls made it curve unpredictably, and they had to travel by train, not airplane. No air conditioning.

[@lovedavantlamour301]

Also , today's ballplayer is the son of a former ballplayer , or some other 6 figure white collar profession , while back then an overwhelming majority were of coal miner stock

[@dr.migilitoloveless2385]

Also the poorly padded gloves.

[@andrews278]

They can keep all that bs hahahah

[@ICLight412]

You realize he’s talking about 1900s vs 1930-40s not today 🤣 If he would see today’s baseball it be a different world and game.

[@philwood1020]

It's wonderful to have this recording. One note: in 1897, Wagner's rookie year in the majors, Kid Nichols pitched for the Boston Nationalls. He never pitched for Washington.

[@cowyemrsox]

Mr. Wagner spoke very plainly and matter of fact here. It shows he was a very grounded man concerned with tangible things he experienced in his day to day life. Playing baseball is a very down to earth physical activity requiring you to be in touch with your surroundings in a straight forward manner. No wonder he excelled at it.

[@sfk1066]

Very well said!!

[@johnrobbins917]

a transcript of this recording is needed

[@johnrobbins917]

great interview

[@davemaki4888]

He just looks strong. Killebrew worked on the farm lifting milk containers, both had big forearms which mean manual labor not just lifting weights. It looks like he could hit using that strong jaw.

[@B00G1964]

His hands were huge if you look at his pics look at his hands they are more like paws .

[@douglassun8456]

That's a good point. The sportswriter Jim Murray once wrote that it was no surprise when farm boys developed into star athletes.

[@lexhawkins7442]

Yep, and Honus was working in a Pennsylvania coal mine at 12 years old. Tough, tough guys in every respect.

[@DwightStJohn-t7y]

@@B00G1964 My grandfather in New Hampshire played semi-pro? and his hands were twice the size of mine, and he was only 5 foot 4 inches. But solid.

[@prairiehills416]

The bats in those days were very heavy. You had to be strong to swing one.

[@sailordude2094]

Steel spikes and no batting helmets back then! The umpires probably didn't throw players out as much either. Thanks for the rare baseball interview!

[@lexhawkins7442]

Indeed, tough, tough guys. Now we have a generation who demand “safe spaces” and are offended if someone calls them a name.

[@bijouxdoum6199]

Also, the Babe used a 36" 38oz Bat.

[@ProfileRacing89]

Watch the Skenes/ Ump incident Jomboy posted. Never seen an ump so offended over nothing in my life.

[@darrinlygrisse5287]

Steel spikes were the norm till a few years ago.

[@lexhawkins7442]

@@darrinlygrisse5287 I think metal spikes were banned in the major league in 1976.

[@steelers6titles]

Still arguably the greatest shortstop in baseball history.

[@paulsamora1348]

Players back in the day played with the same injuries that keep a player today on the 90 day IR.

[@beaujac311]

I bet they played horribly. Sore armed pitchers giving up all kinds of hits. Baseballs dropping in the outfield because players with leg injuries should not be playing.

[@HenryAllenKW]

@@beaujac311 Exactly! If those players were putting up those kinds of numbers while playing injured, just think about what they could have accomplished if they were fully healthy. It really speaks to their incredible talent and mental toughness. They weren't just physically strong-they had the mental grit to push through the pain and still perform at a high level. Their records are even more impressive when you consider the challenges they overcame, both physically and mentally.

[@larrylarry6362]

@@beaujac311Exactly-you’ll manage your players a *little* differently when you have another 8 years at $14 million per year guaranteed after this year. “Go ahead and take some time off bro, get healthy, we need you in the league until at least 2027”

[@beaujac311]

@@HenryAllenKW What I'm saying is that those players had no choice but to play even when they were hurt. That doesn't mean that they were mentally stronger because they played hurt. I bet a lot of them were afraid if they took a game off they would be replaced. You did not want your backup to get a chance to shine.

[@dan-vv8gs]

You sound like a jewish powder puff boy.😅​@@beaujac311

[@JeffreySmith-hx9hb]

Wagner was also a very fast runner. He race a horse around the bases and they tied. He was built like a bodybuilder in his days. No one would mess with him unless you knew you could get away with it or unless you can out run him.

[@pinverarity]

That’s misleading because the angles rounding the bases are sharp and horses would have to swing way beyond the base paths to make the turn. Two legs is a huge advantage over four legs when maneuverability is key. 😉

[@BigBobber19]

At one time or another Mickey Mantle probably said it too. But the originator is Ty Cobb when he was 72.

[@jamesmooney8933]

One time Cobb ran to 3rd base, Wagner decked Cobb.

[@fagan4119]

Man I could listen to him all day.

[@Sir_Osis]

50 years old and I had no idea his name was John. Cool

[@minnesotafats8140]

No filler in his answers; succinct, cogent, and insightful

[@rman52]

Not only one of the greatest of all time. But the only player that objected to having tobacco companies make baseball cards with his name on it. Like the Babe, he loved kids. And didn't want them smoking.

[@johnkeviljr9625]

What a fabulous image. What a face to represent baseball. I love the cap.

[@stevenschwartzstein4502]

To me the amazing thing is the game is the game. Hasn't really changed in 120 years or so. Can't really say that about a lot of sports. To hear him talk and describe situations, the strategies and everything are the same. All you gotta do is execute. So simple!

[@pjmlegrande]

Don’t throw the ole bean ball as much today, though. Haha

[@mdmjeremiah]

He played for my old hometown Steubenville

[@hillbilly4christ638]

These pansies we have nowadays couldn’t cut it with these old players. No wonder people idolized baseball players. These were some tough men!

[@chalkbunt81]

Was it tougher then, Mr. Wagner? " To be Honus, yes it was".

[@writerconsidered]

He didn't just over .300, He was hitting .340 to .380 for years. .320 would be considered a slump for him. He was also hitting 12-20 homeruns a yr in the dead ball era.

[@danam0228]

Thank you so much for sharing this

[@jeffschreifels8651]

It's always interesting to listen to people from that time. They have that sing song voice that makes them great story tellers. I notice I've been pronouncing his name wrong all this time too. Hah nus not Ho nus.

[@OtisMoto]

My great grandpa gave me a tobacco baseball card with this player. Told me to treasure it and I will. I keep it on my desk at work.

[@thelostone6981]

1895…we are closer to 2095 than we are to his first professional baseball game.

[@josephambrose2852]

We're closer to 2150 too

[@scottmccullough4267]

Whoa…..!!!!!!

[@mikepalmer1971]

That’s wild. I did not think about it like that until I read this.

[@johnnydeano2288]

I had a teammate named John Wagner & one day an older man who used to come to the games gave him a Honus Wagner card. It was a little worn in one corner, but we didn’t know much about the value of cards then. As a kid we’d clip them to the spokes of our bike wheels. Wags gave the card to a young boy who used to come to the games. A few years later the card industry took off & we wondered if that boy ever made any money off that card.

[@MarinCipollina]

Unlikely one of the ultra rare ones..

[@riverview9320]

To interviewer - it's pronounced "Ha-ness" - short for Johannes.

[@beaujac311]

But did you notice that Honus pronounced it differently.

[@riverview9320]

@@beaujac311 Sure - He said "HA-nus" not HO

[@rockyk1950]

Absolutely correct.

[@rockyk1950]

@@beaujac311yes

[@Diogenes-ty9yy]

When a was a kid, I remember my paternal grandfather (1881 - 1962) telling me that Mantle, Kaline, Aaron, and Maris were not as great as the old timers and that Cobb, Tris Speaker, and Honus Wagner were the best he'd seen. Being of German ethnicity, he leaned towards Wagner being the best of the bunch. I also remember he also thought it was great when my Dad told him, shortly before he passed, that "Cobb called Maris a 'busher,' " a real insult back in the day. I miss you, grandpa, and the stories you told me.

[@t.s.9656]

I noticed Willie Mays wasn't on your Grandfather's list, if it had been, I might have questioned his judgement.

[@BigBobber19]

Your gramps and mine were from the same era (1883-1963)...his favorite player was Christie Mathewson. Those fellas saw baseball when it was something else.

[@josephambrose2852]

Thanks for the bedtime story It worked great

[@BigBobber19]

@@josephambrose2852 Sleep well.

[@SFTaYZa]

Mantle was one of the greatest ever ​@@t.s.9656

[@needsaride15126]

What a great recording. After Roberto Clemente probably the best Pittsburgh Pirate ever.

[@donaldwycoff4154]

I've heard of him, read about him, but this is the first time I heard his voice. Didn't know the story of how he got the name "Honus".

[@ehjohnboy]

“Was baseball tougher when you played?” “Look at my face.”

[@BongoBingo17]

Boy this guy must be like over 100 years old, incredible.

[@wintercrush554]

This man was a baseball god. His stats are absolutely stunning.

[@williamwatson4625]

He's being regarded in some circles as the greatest baseball player who ever lived. The choice of Babe Ruth as the greatest baseball player of all time is based on the fact that he was a superbly great hitter and had previously been a good pitcher. But Wagner played during the Dead-ball era when home-runs were rare and when stolen bases and hit-and-runs were much more relied upon than home-runs. Plus, Honus could do anything, from hitting a good ball as well as a bad one (if a hit was needed) and pitching, to being a great shortstop. He simply had no weakness.

[@dustinsmith4068]

Look at the vascularity in his right forearm in the video. Honus was lean!

[@johndreker1613]

People think that current players would go back and dominate that era, but I don't think most would last a week if you could just take them and drop them into a 1900 game. Everything would be worse for them, including just normal living. I'm not sure how many would even go to the plate with no helmet/padding/batting gloves and no new baseballs on every pitch. The pitchers couldn't handle the work. You do it for one day and a 2024 team would probably dominate, even though baseball is more of a skills game than strength, but every day you extended the experiment for the 2024 team would get worse for them. If you reverse it to send a 1900 player to now, every single day would get better for them. They would eventually catch up because the skill, abilities, desire would already be there. Most people rely on the tired argument about pitch velocity being so different. It really wasn't a huge difference, but the batters used heavier bats back then. If their biggest obstacle is switching to a lighter bat, then there is no real obstacle.

[@beaujac311]

The velocity is a huge difference. Those pitchers back then pitched nine innings. I could imagine how much velocity they lost over those innings. When a pitcher throw so many pitches now they are taken out and replaced by someone fresh who is throwing with the same or more velocity.

[@johndreker1613]

@@beaujac311 Pitchers back then used to be trained to pitch nine innings, but there are also other huge advantages in their favor as far as keeping velocity. Games were shorter in time, so it was easier to stay fresh. They played during a time when teams valued defense more, so you had 2-3 hitters that you didn't have to worry about. The older pitchers have always said that they can let up with certain players in certain situations. Being the deadball era, guys like Wagner were seeing 100%, but with no one on or a one-sided game, the pitchers would let up. Older hitters were better at putting the ball in play. That kept down walks and strikeouts, leading to lower pitch counts. The hitters went up there choking up on the bat, with shorter contact-oriented swings. Bunts were much more common, ending at-bats in one pitch. If you have to throw 90 pitches in 90 minutes and 67% of the time you weren't throwing full speed, you could reach back late and let it go. As far as some big hitter though, people weren't letting up with guys like Ty Cobb or Honus Wagner, and they wouldn't be letting up with some 2024 player trying to prove a point. If he wasn't getting drilled, he would be seeing the best pitches of everyone, with every trick up their sleeve. If you get quick-pitched and the guy is hitting 80 MPH because he isn't throwing full force, that's still going to look like 100 MPH because you won't be ready for it.

[@gj1234567899999]

You make some good points and I don’t necessarily disagree with you, and we share the same sentiment. However, taking the devils advocate in this argument: a lot of players today do come from backgrounds that are as deprived or even worse than American players in the 1890s - think of players that come from rural Cuba or Venezuela today. However it’s not like these players come here and dominate now that they have all this better facilities, gear, and nutrition. They are just another source of talent and no better or worse than American or Japanese players from “wealthy” backgrounds.

[@derricktalbot8846]

on the totally opposite side of this conversation... could you imagine Ty Cobb or Honus Wagner... but playing today? With the modern training, diet, sleep... in hand with the data! and the technology available to break down every fraction of their swing? I think it would be a slaughter! .400s for sure year in year out.... and I think the first time someone threw at Cobb's head we'd FINALLY see a batter take the bat with him to the pitchers mound because of how much harder the average pitchers throws :)

[@beaujac311]

@@derricktalbot8846 Those guys would be the same as the guys today.

[@Shinobi33]

He insanely built and muscular for the time. Hell even for today

[@dannybaseball2444]

Jacked and no steroids. Country strong.

[@dougthompson5449]

​@@dannybaseball2444 Men back then were strong because there were no chainsaws, power tools etc. They used just raw muscular power to get their work done. I remember my grandpa was around 70 years old and only around 150 pounds but none of my older brothers who were in their late teens could beat him at arm wrestling.

[@putsomething]

The pronunciation of Honus isn’t as the interviewer said, rhyming with “bonus,” which is how many people who have only read it might guess. It’s actually pronounced with a short O as it comes from the name Johannes, also shortened to Hans, and is pronounced similarly. You can hear Honus pronounce it correctly at 1:08.

[@justaguy5770]

It's a shame there wasnt podcasts back then. That generation had a lot of stories that we would find absolutely crazy nowadays

[@JohnAllen-gg1oz]

There are books with interviews where they tell many of those great stories. I have one of them.

[@jorgejohnson451]

If he played for today’s Pirates, they would trade him after two years for draft picks.

[@blacjackdaniels200]

Hahah so true..friggin pirates

[@RWGish]

That'd be hard to do since MLB doesn't allow trading draft picks. Probably just trade him for a left-handed Japanese catcher.

[@chrisolivo6591]

The Philadelphia A’s were the Pirates/Marlins/Rays/A’s of that era. Connie Mack had 2 Dynasties (1910, 1911, 1913 & 1929, 1930) and sold all the great players in their prime. That’s why they moved out of Philly in 1954 and ironically why they are probably moving out of Oakland. Even 100+ years ago, Baseball had the same problem.

[@jorgejohnson451]

@@RWGish Right. I meant minor league prospects.

[@slapjohnson2808]

@@chrisolivo6591 You're right! All this owner collusion is what led to the Black Sox scandal in '19. Players got sick of being cattle.

[@markrist4238]

He was my grandfather's teammate. His name is Marty O'Toole. He specialized in the spitball as well as strikeouts and walks.

[@Grandizer8989]

Wasn’t the pitching mound higher back then, giving pitcher’s a big advantage?

[@erad67]

Not sure what the height was in the 1890s. After the 1968 season, it was lowered. No idea when the '68 height became standard.

[@joegti10]

@@erad67 it was any height the home team wanted up to 15 inches. that height became standard in 1950. then it was lowered to 10 inches in 1968.

[@Simulera]

When was this interview made and by whom? It would make it much more interesting to know that I think. Wonderful tape, really. Thanks for putting it up for everyone.

[@rociorickles6943]

Just his name tells how tough them ole boys were!

[@zeekwolfe6251]

The english spoken today is identical to that in the Civil War and before that, the American Revolutionary War. So, Honus Wagner's voice and accent could be identical to that of Ben Franklin or George Washington. A good interview, thanks for this posting. Oh, I love baseball but was disappointed at the Yankee 5th inning meltdown. I'm also preparing my head bag for opening day at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

[@Lettuce-and-Tomatoes]

I have one of this fellow’s baseball cards. It looks old like it’s original, but it’s still nice and it’s currently serving as a coaster to protect my new kitchen table because I’ve never heard of him before. Cool video!

[@smoceany9478]

i think the original honus baseball card might be in more need of protection than a kitchen table

[@Lettuce-and-Tomatoes]

@@smoceany9478 I wonder if I could trade it for enough green to buy a set of coasters? I have my eye on some spiffy ones I saw at a yard sale this weekend. They are nice and almost new!

[@smoceany9478]

@@Lettuce-and-Tomatoes any original wagner card should be enough to fill a house with coasters

[@jamfl]

That's a poor coaster, I reckon. I'll trade you two wooden coasters and a tin ashtray for it because I'm a nice fellow.

[@Lettuce-and-Tomatoes]

@@jamfl I’m gonna need at least a dozen coasters of high quality material and I have no use for an ash tray because I don’t smoke.

[@bobearthquakepumpkinfarm7455]

I figure Honus was so mean because he worked at my Grandfather's Sawmill in Mercer during the off season.

[@frankcottingham8537]

Damn i love hearing old timers talk about the good ole days, they played through injuries back then that would put today's players on the IL!

[@MrK623]

They say he had very large hands and fingers. Like a bunch of bananas. You can't see it in this thumbnail, but I have seen it in other photos and he did have extra large hands and fingers.

[@Robert-gg1er]

I bought an official NFL (the Duke) at the Honus Wagner Sporting Goods store in Pittsburgh in the 1970's.

[@SK-qc6fb]

My brother had "Duke", it was his prize possession!

[@FurtherReview]

Always wondered how "Honus" was pronounced. What's interesting is that Honus himself pronounces it "HAHN-us," yet the interviewer keeps calling him "HONE-us" even after hearing him say it.

[@ProudGoyim666]

his forest gump crooked /bowed legs aside, he was QUICK AF. nice nice.

[@waynewells3297]

The onus was on Honus when he won us the bonus pennant.

[@waynewells3297]

@@irtnyc Yeah, yeah, but everyone pronounces it to rhyme with “bonus”

[@protamine4]

Say, Honus, since you're here, do you happen to have any T206 baseball cards of yourself you could spare?

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Nice to hear those voices.

[@Ryan-mq2mi]

This was rad, man. Thanks.

[@winnypooh818]

Bob costas has been around for a while

[@MrJeffcoley1]

Interesting! I never knew "Honus" was short for "Johannes".

[@ronfroehlich4697]

The Flying Dutchman

[@crossmooradian8038]

Thanks! I always assumed he would have a German accent and was born overseas because of his first name.

[@sess122]

Sounds damn good for someone interviewed on August 22, 2024, who broke into the majors in 1895!

[@josephochlak6853]

The interview was in 1945.

[@Iconoclasher]

Strange. He doesn't sound like I expected. I don't know what I expected but he sounds like a right friendly guy.

[@ProudGoyim666]

it's a priviledge to listen to one of baseball's greats of ALL-TIME. I have pictures of him (in a den) along with Cobb, Ruth, Gerhig. OLD-TIMERS WERE THE BEST, back before the dark times, before ZOGonzoTRIBE.

[@universegalaxyuniversegalaxy]

So woudl you like to go on my prpogram and explain the things you are writing then?

[@JacobSanders-zc7sq]

Odd hearing Honus Wagner talk about 'the old-timers' of baseball.

[@spiffyg4939]

You may have noticed that Wagner pronounced his name “HAW-nuss” but he was too polite to correct the guy. Honus was a real gentleman.

[@EV-cv5ym]

It would be nice if you included the year that the recording was made in your liner notes. Based on the Cincinnati manager mentioned toward the end it seems as though this recording was made in the 1930's

[@dapper_gent]

The cake on Honus!!! 🎂🧁

[@lawrencewood289]

A great one!

[@dapper892]

Amazing!!

[@wrc1210]

The thumbnail for this video answers the question in the title: "Yes."

[@pokermik]

Wagner was one of the few ballplayers in his era who believed in lifting weights.

[@Tom-y1j]

He was ripped but he also knew you had to be flexible. Today's players focus on muscle and get hurt

[@beaujac311]

@@Tom-y1j Today's players have sports science behind them. Plus they don't have to work another job to make ends meet. They can work out year round.

[@Tom-y1j]

@beaujac311 I'm well aware, I use the same argument when the youngsters, who's only history of baseball comes from YT videos and other youngsters comments, try and tell me players from the past would never make it in today's game. The ol "they played against plumbers" (not sure why they always use plumbers as a example, plumbers in the 1920s were way tougher than today's ballplayers), I don't think today's ballplayers could make it if they had to play under early 1900s conditions. Mike Trout wouldn't have lasted a year.

[@wk3004]

@@Tom-y1jMike Trout can’t even last a year now in 2024 with the greatest, most educated medical and training staffs ever working specifically for him

[@Tom-y1j]

@@wk3004 I'm talking as a rookie, before all the injuries even started. Hell, he probably wouldn't have even made the league back then.

[@jdunbar2995]

Honus wagner belongs on the mount Rushmore of baseball

[@jongordon7914]

Wagner didn't lead the league in home runs in 1908. Tim Jordan of the Brooklyn Superbas did with 12 home runs.

[@P99-v6n]

No oven mitts and body armor back then

[@jimmurphy834]

Filing the spikes. Combat baseball. Savage

[@Aubreykrendale]

BS