Peek-A-Boo Veach

William Walter Veach

• Bats Unknown, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 175 lb.

• Debut August 24, 1884
• Final Game July 25, 1890
• Born June 15, 1862 in Indianapolis, IN USA
• Died November 12, 1937 in Indianapolis, IN USA

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Biographical Information

"Ed Begley of the New York Giants reputedly kept his back to the batter until the last possible instant before he released the ball. Peak-a-Boo Veach employed a similar delivery, explaining his nickname." - from the book The Official Rules of Baseball Illustrated

"Peek-a-boo Veach is playing a good centre field for Chattanooga, and his hitting is hard and timely." - Sporting Life issue of September 17, 1892

Although Peek-A-Boo Veach appeared in only 101 major league games, he managed to appear in three leagues in that time, playing as a two-way player in his rookie year. He also played in the minors through 1897. He served in Cuba in the Signal Corps during the Spanish-American War.

He came up with the Union Association in its only year, 1884, pitching in about half his games. His ERA, 2.42, was better than league average (3.04).

He came back in 1887 to pitch and lose one game in the American Association, although his 4.00 ERA was a bit better than the league average. His brother Harry was with Omaha early that year.

Most of his games were in 1890, the year of three leagues, as a first baseman. He earned his keep as a hitter partially by drawing walks, getting 41 walks in 72 games.

In 1892 he was called "one of the wittiest players in the profession". On the other hand, in in 1890 it was said he had a voice "like a whisper in a saw factory".

"Veach, recruit outfielder of the Detroit club, is the first big leaguer of that name since the days of the famous 'Peek-a-boo'." - Sporting Life of September 21, 1912, noticing the young Bobby Veach and remembering Peek-A-Boo Veach