Ducky Hemp

William H. Hemp

• Bats Left, Throws Unknown
• Height 5' 7½", Weight 136 lb.
• High School Christian Brothers College High School
• Debut October 6, 1887
• Final Game August 25, 1890
• Born December 27, 1862 in St. Louis, MO USA
• Died March 6, 1923 in St. Louis, MO USA

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Biographical Information

"Ducky Hemp, the little outfielder of the National League club, is one of the most independent men in the business. Manager Hecker and Ducky get along very harmoniously . . ." - from the Pittsburgh Press, May 11, 1890

Outfielder Ducky Hemp played two seasons in the majors. He is the earliest major leaguer to be remembered with the first name "Ducky".

Hemp was born in St. Louis, MO in 1862. Not a big man, he was 5' 7" tall and weighed 136 lbs. He was in one major league game in 1887 and then came back for 30 games, split between two major leagues, in 1890. He is, through 2024, the only major leaguer with the last name Hemp, although in 1888 there was a Henry Hemp who pitched in the minors.

Hemp was quite outspoken. Once, when Fred Dunlap was showing him how to back up second when the catcher threw the ball there, Hemp made a smart remark which got Dunlap so angry that the Pittsburgh Press reported: "Dunlap was very angry at this and wanted to make a physical demonstration on the young man's body of the fact that he was in error, but 'Ducky' escaped through the intervention of mutual friends."

"Pittsburg's spry outfielder, Ducky Hemp, is a well-read young man, and generally swears at an umpire in Latin, Roman pronunciation. He is a graduate of the Christian Brothers' College at St. Louis." - Sporting Life, May 10, 1890

" 'Ducky' Hemp threw his bat at pitcher Will Crowell at Burlington one day last week in an attempt to rattle him and thus lose a fly. Crowell dodged the stick and made the play, while the crowd hissed 'Ducky' for a full minute." - Sporting Life, July 26, 1890