Bill Holbert

William Henry Holbert

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Weight 197 lb.

• Debut September 5, 1876
• Final Game July 12, 1888
• Born March 14, 1855 in Baltimore, MD USA
• Died March 20, 1935 in Laurel, MD USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Billy Holbert played 12 seasons in the majors, and was with the Troy Trojans in the early 1880s playing alongside the young Dan Brouthers, Buck Ewing and Roger Connor. He was famous for being Tim Keefe's catcher. He and Keefe were together both at Troy and then with the New York Gothams. At various times in his career he also caught Mickey Welch and Pud Galvin.

Holbert had 2,335 career at bats without hitting a home run, an all-time record. It must be said, Holbert played in a dead ball era. The modern record for most at bats without a home run belongs to Tom Oliver, with 1,931.

He was usually called Billy by the press. After his playing days he served as an umpire, working a few games in his final season as a player in the American Association in 1888 and then a full slate of games in the Players League in 1890. As of 1893 he worked for the Secret Service. In 1898 it was said he worked for a newspaper and owned a farm.

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