Mike Mansell

Michael R. Mansell

• Bats Left, Throws Unknown
• Height 5' 11", Weight 175 lb.

• Debut May 1, 1879
• Final Game October 15, 1884
• Born January 15, 1858 in Auburn, NY USA
• Died December 4, 1902 in Auburn, NY USA

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Biographical Information

". . . he was considered one of the fastest sprint runners in the country . . ." - from Mike Mansell's obituary

"Mike Mansell, our genial centre fielder, is doing grand work at the bat and on the field; he is a great base-runner, and an invaluable coacher." - Sporting Life's Hamilton correspondent, July 27, 1887

Outfielder Mike Mansell was the brother of John Mansell and Tom Mansell. He died of pneumonia at age 44.

Mansell started his career in the National League but became much more successful in the American Association in 1882 and 1883, playing for the Pittsburgh Alleghenys. He led the Association in triples in 1882 and tied for the lead in doubles.

He slumped in early 1884 and ended up playing for three teams. He was excellent with the bat for the last of the three teams, the Richmond Virginians, batting .301 in 29 games, but the team did not field an entry the following year and Mansell's major league career was done.

Mansell played only outfield, mostly in left field. At first his range was great, but as he aged it dropped to below average.

His obituary indicates that he began in baseball by playing for an amateur club in his hometown of Auburn, NY as early as 1875. He then played for teams in Columbus, Syracuse, and Albany, and appeared on the Syracuse team in 1879 when it joined the National League. He and his brothers made up the outfield for Albany in 1881 until Mike had an injury. After his time in the majors he played in the International League and in the Eastern League. After baseball, he worked in a prison and then ran a saloon.

"Hornung and Mike Mansell are the oldest players in the Eastern Association." - Sporting Life, May 2, 1891

Notable Achievements

• AA Doubles Leader (1882)
• AA Triples Leader (1882)

Related Sites

• Mike Mansell's obituary