Frank Schulte

Frank M. "Wildfire" Schulte (September 17, 1882 – October 2, 1949) was an American outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played for the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, and Washington Senators from 1904 to 1918. He helped the Cubs win four National League (NL) championships and two World Series.

In 1911, Schulte won the NL Chalmers Award, a precursor to the modern-day MVP award; that year, Schulte had become the first of only four players in history to join the 20–20–20–20 club, hitting 30 doubles, 21 triples, and 21 home runs, and stealing 23 bases.

Early life and education Schulte was born in Cochecton, New York, in 1882 to German immigrants. He played independent baseball as a teenager, despite his father's opposition to the idea. From 1902 to 1904, he played for the New York State League's Syracuse Stars.

Major League Baseball career Schulte was acquired by the Chicago Cubs in August 1904.

Schulte made his Major League Baseball debut for the Cubs in September 1904. He played on the Cubs teams that won National League pennants in 1906, 1907, 1908, and 1910.

In 1910, Schulte led the NL with 10 home runs. and Buck Freeman with 25 in 1899. Schulte won the 1911 NL Chalmers Award, making Schulte along with Ty Cobb the first major league players to have been designated Most Valuable Player for a season.

In 1,806 MLB games over 15 seasons, Schulte posted a .270 batting average (1766-for-6533) with 906 runs, 288 doubles, 124 triples, 92 home runs, 793 runs batted in, 233 stolen bases, 545 bases on balls, a .332 on-base percentage, and a .395 slugging percentage. He finished his career with a .966 fielding percentage. He eventually settled in Oakland, California.

Death Schulte died in Oakland, California on October 2, 1949, at age 67.