Art Whitney

Arthur Wilson Whitney (January 16, 1858 – August 15, 1943) was an American professional baseball player whose career spanned from 1877 to 1893. He played 11 seasons in Major League Baseball, principally as a third baseman (802 games) and shortstop (168 games), for eight different major league clubs.

Whitney's longest stretches were with the Pittsburgh Alleghenys (368 games, 1884–1887) and New York Giants (219 games, 1888–1889). He helped the Giants win the 1888 and 1889 World Series.

In 11 major league seasons, Whitney compiled a .223 batting average and a .285 on-base percentage, scored 475 runs, and had 820 hits, including 137 extra-base hits. Whitney's true value was as a defensive player on the infield. He led his league in fielding percentage four times, three times as a third baseman (1886, 1887, and 1891) and once as a shortstop (1885). In 1886, his Defensive WAR rating of 1.6 was the fourth highest among all position players in the American Association. His career range factor of 3.39 at third base remains the 23rd highest in major league history. His parents, George and Paulene Whitney, were both Massachusetts natives. Whitney grew up in North Bridgewater, Massachusetts, where his father was a dentist.

Whitney's older brother, Frank "Jumbo" Whitney, also played professional baseball.

Professional baseball career

Minor leagues Whitney began his professional baseball career with the Lowell, Massachusetts based Lowell Ladies Men team during the 1877 and 1878 seasons.

Worcester In 1880, the Worcester Worcesters were admitted to the National League and attained major league status. Whitney was the starting third baseman for the 1880 Worcesters, appearing in 76 games and compiling a .222 batting average.

Whitney died in 1943 at age 85 at his home in Lowell, Massachusetts, after a short illness. He was buried at the Edson Cemetery in Lowell.