Batting Average : 1898 National League Top 25

Finding the American or National League leader in virtually every hitting & pitching statistic is easy-to-do. Finding the top 25 players during any given season is far more challenging. Baseball Almanac has taken away that difficult problem and is pleased to present the data you requested:

"Over 162 games, if my big guys are hitting and we get even halfway decent pitching, we'll beat their (our opponents) brains out." - Cincinnati Reds' Manager Sparky Anderson
 

1898 Batting Average Leaders

Top 25 in the National League

Willie Keeler .385 (.38503) Baltimore Orioles 1
Billy Hamilton .369 (.36930) Boston Beaneaters 2
John McGraw .342 (.34175) Baltimore Orioles 3
Elmer Smith .342 (.34156) Cincinnati Reds 4
Jesse Burkett .341 (.34135) Cleveland Spiders 5
Ed Delahanty .334 (.33394) Philadelphia Phillies 6
Jimmy Collins .328 (.32831) Boston Beaneaters 7
Gene DeMontreville .328 (.32804) Baltimore Orioles 8
Fred Tenney .328 (.32787) Boston Beaneaters 9
Hughie Jennings .328 (.32772) Baltimore Orioles 10
Nap Lajoie .324 (.32401) Philadelphia Phillies 11
Jimmy Ryan .323 (.32343) Chicago Orphans 12
Joe Kelley .321 (.32112) Baltimore Orioles 13
Bill Lange .319 (.31900) Chicago Orphans 14
Bill Everitt .319 (.31879) Chicago Orphans 15
Lave Cross .317 (.31728) St. Louis Browns 16
Charlie Dexter .314 (.31354) Louisville Colonels 17
George Van Haltren .312 (.31193) New York Giants 18
Duff Cooley .312 (.31161) Philadelphia Phillies 19
Chick Stahl .308 (.30835) Boston Beaneaters 20
Fred Clarke .307 (.30718) Louisville Colonels 21
George Davis .307 (.30658) New York Giants 22
Dummy Hoy .304 (.30412) Louisville Colonels 23
Fielder Jones .304 (.30369) Brooklyn Bridegrooms 24
Kip Selbach .303 (.30291) Washington Senators 25



Did you know that more than forty players have worn the number twenty-five for the Boston Red Sox — including Jack Clark, Denny Galehouse, Dizzy Trout and Tony Conigliaro.

The most recognizable Detroit Tiger to wear the number twenty-five was probably Norm Cash (who wore it from 1960 through 1974), but did you know that Hall of Famer Larry Doby also wore it during his single season with Detroit?

Future Hall of Famer Sammy Sosa is best known for wearing number twenty-one; however, when the young slugger played for the Chicago White Sox (1989-1991) he only wore number twenty-five.