Elmer Flick

Who was Elmer Flick?

Elmer Harrison Flick was an American professional baseball player. He played Major League Baseball from 1898 until 1910 for the Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Athletics, and Cleveland Bronchos/Naps.

Flick began his career in semi-professional baseball and played in minor league baseball for two years. He was noticed by George Stallings, the manager of the Phillies, who signed Flick as a reserve outfielder. Flick was pressed into a starting role in 1898 when an injury forced another player to retire. He excelled as a starter. Flick jumped to the Athletics in 1902, but an court injunction prevented him from playing in Pennsylvania. He joined the Naps, where he continued to play for the remainder of his major league career, which was curtailed by a stomach ailment.

An outfielder, Flick was known predominantly for his solid batting and speed. He led the National League in runs batted in in 1900, and led the American League in stolen bases in 1904 and 1906, and in batting average in 1905. Flick was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1963.