Dave Orr
Dave Orr
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Dave Orr

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Dave Orr

David L. Orr (September 29, 1859 – June 2, 1915) was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball from 1883 through 1890. Orr played most of his career in the American Association for the New York Metropolitans (1883–1887), Brooklyn Bridegrooms (1888) and Columbus Solons (1889). He also played for the New York Gothams in the National League for one game in 1883 and for the Brooklyn Ward's Wonders of the Players' League in 1890.

Orr was one of the best hitters in baseball during his major league career. He never hit below .305 for a full season, and his career batting average of .342 is the eleventh highest in major league history and the third highest for a right-handed hitter. He was also regarded as the hardest-hitting batsman of his era. His 31 triples in 1886 set a major league record that stood for 25 years; the mark has since been surpassed only once, by Chief Wilson in 1912.

He was also the first batter to compile more than 300 total bases in a season, and he was the first player with at least 3,000 plate appearances to retire with a slugging percentage above .500 (.502).

Despite his weight (250 pounds at 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)), Orr was also a solid defensive performer with a .973 fielding percentage. He twice led the American Association in range factor by a first baseman. In 1886, he led the Association's first basemen in putouts and fielding percentage, and in 1889 he led in assists with 61. Orr hit .371 in 1890, but his career was cut short by a stroke suffered during an exhibition game at the end of the 1890 season.

Orr was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1859. His father was an Irish immigrant who worked as a brownstone stonecutter. Orr grew up in Brooklyn and began his baseball career playing for minor league teams, including the Brooklyn Alaskas and teams in Newark, New Jersey, and Hartford, Connecticut.

In 1883, Orr signed with the New York Gothams of the National League. He made his major league debut with the Gothams on May 17, 1883. He played in only one game for the Gothams and was then transferred to the New York Metropolitans. Both teams were under common ownership by the Metropolitan Exhibition Company.

Orr spent most of his career with the New York Metropolitans of the American Association. He joined the Metropolitans during the 1883 season and served as the team's first baseman through the 1887 season.

In 1884, Orr's first complete season in the major leagues, he had arguably the best year of his career. He won the American Association batting crown with a .354 batting average and also led the association with 112 runs batted in (RBI), 162 hits, and 247 total bases. Despite hitting a career high nine home runs, Orr narrowly missed a Triple Crown as Long John Reilly hit 11 home runs.

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