STL MLB Player #5 Heine Meine (STL) MO

This week’s players, yes players, are three Heinies. I am cracking up a little as I write Heinie. The three are Henry William “Heinie” Meine, Emmett Jerome “Heinie” Mueller, and finally Henry Clement “Heinie” Peitz.Why so many Heinies (insert chuckle)? Why not.

First Heinie is Heinie Meine. This Heinie was a right handed pitcher who played with the St. Louis Browns in 1922. In 1922 he appeared in only one game then spent the next three years in the minors with the Syracuse Stars and the Kansas City Blues. He quit baseball following the 1926 season. He owned a speakeasy in South STL’s Luxemburg area (I have no idea where this is or was). This speakeasy gave Heine his nickname “The Count of Luxemburg”. He would return to the majors in 1929 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and went 7-6. Due to a health issue he was placed on the retirement list and returned to the Pirates in 1931 and went 19-13. In his first two games against my Cardinals in 1931 he pitched 2 shutouts against the team that would win 101 games and the 1931 World Series. In 1931 Heine led the NL in wins (19), innings (284), and in ERA of 2.98. (Thank you Wiki). He held out at the beginning of the 1932 season and would pitch for the Bucs in1933 and 1934. He retired with a record of 66–50, 165 appearances, a 3.95 ERA, and 199 SO. How I know Heine Meine is because he operated a baseball school in south STL that included a field, and a locker room for 50-60 boys. Heine Meine Field is where I played part of my college “career” in 3A collegiate baseball. Now, look I wasn’t good or bad, I didn’t play high school baseball. Webster University where I went to school was known for its arts programs and not for its baseball. This has changed over the years and they even have their own ball field. Here are my “career” stats at Webster University. Since I started all the games in right in 1988 and 1989 I don’t know why there are no stats for 1988. Also 18 at bats in 1989 isn’t correct either, unfortunately the three errors probably are! 1989 shows 18 AB, 1 run, 6 hits, 0 RBI, .333 slugging, 5 BB, 4 SO, .478 OBP, fielding .000.OK I most def’ fielded some fly outs there, as well as had some RBIs.

                                                                1933 Goudey #205

                                                                  Heine Meine Field

I will quickly cover the other two Heinies; first Emmett Jerome "Heinie" Mueller. Heinie Mueller was born July 20, 1912 in Creve Couer, MO and passed on October 3, 1986 in Orlando, FL.  He played with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1938 to 1941. He was an infielder and originally signed by the Cardinals and played in the minors in Springfield, MO and Houston, TX. Heinie was sold to the Phillies in December of 1937.  On April 17, 1938 he became the first major leaguer to homer in his first major league at bat. His last appearance in the Majors was on September 28, 1941. He had a carrier batting average of .253, 17 home runs, and 117 RBI. Having missed the next three years because of the war he wasn’t able to make it back to the majors.

                                                 1939 Playball Heine Mueller Phillies #63

Finally we come to Henry Clement “Heinie” Pietz born November 28, 1878 in STL and passed away on October 23, 1943 in Cinci. Heinie was a catcher and played for the St. Louis Browns (1892–1895), Cincinnati Reds (1896–1904), Pittsburgh Pirates (1905–1906), Louisville Colonels (1907–1910), and St. Louis Cardinals (1913). He was part of the famed "Pretzel Battery" with pitcher Ted Breitenstein while playing for the Browns and Reds in the 1890s. (thanks be for Wiki). Heinie appeared in 1,234 games, scored 532 runs, had a career OB% of .342, 1,117 hits, 560 RBI, 91 stolen bases, and 409 walks. After he retied as a player he was a scout, coach, and umpire. Bill James in the his 2003 book “The New Bill James Historical Abstract” ranked Heinie as the 82nd best catcher of all time. He also played along side his brother Joe while with the Browns in 1894.

                                                                1909 #254 Colgan

                                                            1992 Conlon TSN # 643

I know this posting was long but I think these old school payers are interesting and I learned a great deal about pre-war baseball.