Cubs 365, October 24

On this day in 1857, Ned Williamson was born. He was Chicago's star shortstop/third baseman during the 1880s. He thrilled the fans with his home runs, and was arguably the game's first home run hero. In 1884 he hit 27 in one 112 game season. That was the record for 35 years. It wasn't broken until 1919 by a little known slugger/pitcher named Babe Ruth.

Of course, Ned's record came with an asterisk. During the 19th century the ground rules were made by each home team. Ned's manager Cap Anson declared that balls hit over a certain part of his field were to be declared homers. That just happened to be where Ned hit 25 of his 27 homers that season. The next season the team moved to West Side Grounds and Ned's power suddenly disappeared.

On the other hand, Ned was no fluke. He also set the record for doubles with 49 in 1883, and was a key member of the Chicago team that won five championships that decade.

His baseball career was still going strong until Albert Spalding organized a world tour to promote the game in 1889. While the team played in Paris, Ned injured his knee. He was never the same after that.

Just four years after his playing career ended, Williamson contracted tuberculosis and died at age 36. He is buried in an unmarked grave in Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago.