Moxie Hengel

Emery J. Hengel

• Bats Right, Throws Unknown
• Height 5' 8", Weight 144 lb.

• Debut April 20, 1884
• Final Game May 27, 1885
• Born October 7, 1857 in Chicago, IL USA
• Died December 11, 1924 in River Forest, IL USA

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Biographical Information

Moxie Hengel played in the Union Association in 1884 and in the National League in 1885, with a total of 35 games. He was primarily a second baseman.

His minor league career ran from at least 1883 to 1894 and included several years each with Utica and Minneapolis.

He was the first major leaguer to bear the name "Moxie" (his real name was Emery). His last name is also spelled Hengle in a number of sources.

The Minneapolis ballclub at the time played under turbulent circumstances, either disbanding or having the league disband during the season a couple of times. The book Baseball in Minnesota (by Stew Thornley) indicates that in 1890 Hengel and another player refused to play due to financial disputes, and for a while an umpire named "Hengel" showed up in box scores until Hengel rejoined the club.

The book The Minor League Milwaukee Brewers: 1859-1952 states that Hengel was the team captain for Indianapolis at the start of 1892. Hengel ended up playing for three teams that year.

He was the brother of Ed Hengel.

"Elmer Foster and 'Moxie' Hengle, the two Minneapolis players suspended by Morton, are playing with Houghton. That club belongs to the Upper Peninsula League, which is not a party to the National Agreement. This is imitating Tony Mullane's trick of playing with the Vermont League, while under suspension . . ." - Sporting Life of Aug. 2, 1890