Billy Herman

William Jennings Bryan Herman, born July 7, 1909, and dying September 5, 1992, was an American second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball during the 1930s and 1940s. Born in New Albany, Indiana, he was named after William Jennings Bryan, the three-time presidential candidate and statesman of the turn of the 20th century. He attended New Albany High School.

Herman broke into the majors in 1931 with the Chicago Cubs. His first at-bat was memorable: facing Cincinnati Reds pitcher Si Johnson, he chopped a pitch into the back of home plate, which bounced up and struck him in the back of the head, knocking him out. He asserted himself as a star the following season, hitting .314 and scoring 102 runs in 1932. A fixture in the Chicago lineup over the next decade, he was a consistent hitter and solid producer who regularly hit .300, known for his stellar defense and consistent batting.

Herman reached the World Series four times, in 1932, 1935, 1938, and 1941, but lost on each occasion. He still holds many National League defensive records for second basemen. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1975.