Seybold’s 16 HR in the second year of the American League set a record that lasted until Babe Ruth shattered it with 29 in 1919. When Connie Mack formed the Philadelphia Athletics for the American League‘s first season (1901), he brought Seybold with him from the Western Association. Mack later described him as “the steadiest and most serviceable of players.” Seybold had a 27-game hitting streak in 1901, when fellow Athletic Nap Lajoie had a 28-game streak. He hit .300 three times, topped 90 RBI three times, and was consistently among the AL leaders in HR, sometimes showing well in RBI (second in 1907 and fourth in 1902). He also led the league in doubles in 1903 with 45. Not an especially good fielder, he nonetheless had two unassisted double plays from the outfield in 1907. An injury in 1908 ended his major league career.
