Lewis Henke

Lewis Henke
also known as Louis Henke

• Died August 15, 1885 in Atlanta, GA USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Lewis Henke played in 78 known games as a first baseman and outfielder for the Atlanta Atlantas of the Southern League in 1885. He died during the season after an on-field basepath collision the previous day with first baseman Lefty Marr of the Nashville Americans. The 8/16/1885 New York Times report cited bad blood between the teams, and when Henke "sent a long fly over the field", Marr "assumed a position to meet him", with bent knee. Henke "ran against him with great force", staggered and fell. [1] The cause of death was reported as a ruptured liver. [2] At the time of his passing, he had a wife and baby in Cincinnati, OH. [3] According to a SABR article, major leaguer Frank Bell was a pallbearer at Henke's funeral.