Butch Schmidt was the firstbaseman for the Boston Braves on the train carrying them on their way to spring training in Macon Georgia. From Baltimore, the train picked him up along the way. At 6 feet-2 and 215 pounds, he was a man of huge strength who was supposed to be the most powerful player on the diamond.

Initially, Schmidt was a pitcher, a left-hander. His work for the Baltimore Orioles of the International League, in 1908 gained him notice from other organizations.

In addition to his pitching prowess, Schmidt had also proved a good hitter. One day, he played first base and the left-hander produced a 4-for-4 afternoon. That marked the end of his pitching career and he was moved permanently to first.

After the 1912 season, he was traded to a league rival in Rochester. That move eventually returned him to the major leagues. George Stallings, then managing the Braves, purchased his contract from Rochester in August 1913. The big first baseman played for the Braves at the end of the season and finished with a .308 batting average.

The offseasons for Schmidt were never a time of rest. Each year he returned to Baltimore to work at the family meat packing business, and the fall of 1913 was no exception. Working 16-hour days at the meat market added bulk to his frame, so coming to spring training in 1914, he was faced with the challenge of shedding some weight, and getting lighter on his feet.

While the Braves played ineptly and floundered in last place, Schmidt seemed clumsy and heavy-gaited. His slow start caused some to question why Stallings was so high on him. But as the season progressed, he began losing weight in the summer heat and his play came around.

By the time the club was well advanced in its upward rush, forging from last place on July 4th to win the National League pennant, Schmidt had become a crackerjack. Over the closing weeks, he batted .350 and fielded like a wizard, becoming in the process one of the league’s best first basemen.

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Butch Schmidt (pic)