Stan Hack
| Birthdate | 12/6/1909 |
| Death Date | 12/15/1979 |
| Debut Year | 1932 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Cubs |
| Position | Third Base |
Bill James ranks Stan Hack as the 9th greatest third baseman; Hack retired with a .301 average, .394 on-base percentage and 55.5 WAR.
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Stan Hack was a five-time All Star; in 4 World Series he hit .348 with a .408 on-base percentage
Stan Hack was a five-time All Star; in 4 World Series he hit .348 with a .408 on-base percentage
Does Stan Hack belong in the Hall of Fame? You be the judge.
The Chicago Cubs third baseman from 1932-1947, Hack has career numbers that compare favorably to other Cooperstown men at his position. A fine fielder at the hot corner, Hack set the record for most consecutive games at third base without an error. Though the mark has since been broken, Hack is ranks as one of the best-ever fielders at his position.
He led the league in putouts five times, double plays three times, and assists and fielding percentage twice each. When he retired, Hack ranked second in big league history to Pie Traynor in games played at third base. Only Traynor had more putouts, assists, and total chances among NL third basemen.
At that plate Hack was a force. The Cubs leadoff man has seven seasons with an on-base percentage of .400 or higher. His career mark stands at .394 while his lifetime batting average is .301. Hack scored 100 or more runs in seven seasons, including six in a row from 1936-1941. He finished in the NL’s top ten in stolen bases nine times; twice he leading the league.
Though he played for the World Series-starved Cubs, Hack was a stellar postseason performer. In 76 plate appearances in the Fall Classic, Hack posted an on-base percentage of .408. He hit .348 in his 18 World Series games. Hack and the Cubs lost all four Series.
Playing the least-represented position in Cooperstown, Hack’s career WAR is 54.7. That’s higher than Hall of Fame third basemen Traynor, George Kell, Jimmy Collins, Freddie Lindstrom, and others.
In the collection is this government postcard from 1945 signed by Hack.
Stanley Hack dropped this postcard in the mail on April 28, 1945
Stanley Hack dropped this postcard in the mail on April 28, 1945
Shown here is the reverse of the Stan Hack autographed government postcard. Notice the postmark of April 28, 1945 from Chicago, Illinois. That day Hack’s Cubs played host to manager Frankie Frisch‘s Pittsburgh Pirates.
Just 5,708 fans witnessed the Cubs’ 6-0 win. Chicago pitcher Hank Wyse had a no-hitter through 8 1/3 before Pirates catcher Bill Salkeld singled to right. It was the only hit Wyse allowed all day.
Hack did his part in the win, leading off the bottom of the first with a single. He moved to second on a groundout and to third on Phil Cavaretta’s single. Hack scored on Bill Nicholson’s hit to give Wyse the only run he needed.
Though Hack’s signature is by no means rare, vintage pieces like this are highly sought after.
