I don’t know who is on third!

Jap Barbeau started the 1909 season for the Pirates. His hitting numbers were soft and his fielding was not the best either. He has been listed on some of the all time worst fielding lists for his 1909 performance. In order to increase the offensive numbers the organization made trade for Bobby Byrnes of the Cardinals while surrendering Jap and Alan Storke. Jap’s full name was William Joseph Barbeau. He played only 4 seasons of major league ball but did play 10 years in the American Assoication. He started with Cleveland Naps from 1905 to 1906. He ended up on the Pirates in 1909 for about half a season or so and went to the cardinals from 09-10. He spent two years with the Toledo Mudhens, a minor league team, from (07-08) and after the majors played with other minor league teams like the Amityville Golden Bears. He played for the first place Columbus Senators in 1905. When he was traded he was only hitting .220 for the season and had committed 29 errors. Despite the stats Jap was a fan favorite with the Pittsburgh faithful for his hustle and grit. He had 712 career at bats in the majors without a homer.
Bobby Byrnes or Robert Matthew Byrnes played major league ball for 11 years. He played with the Pirates from (09-13). His other clubs were St Louis Cardinals (07-09), Philadelphia Phillies 1(3-17), Chicago White Sox (1917). He joined the Pirates in late August in 1909. During that stretch he committed only 2 errors and aloud the Pirates to keep Tommy Leach in center field. Bobby was a solid addition to the team and bolstered an already powerful lineup.


August 28th 1909 Sporting Life
Byrne Captured By Pirates.
Manager Clarke threw a big surprise into
the fans Thursday evening just before the
Pirates departed for the East, when he an
nounced that he had traded Jap Barbeau
and Allan Storke to the St. Louis team for
Bobby Bywie. Barbeau has proven one of
the most popular players on the Pirates© ros
ter, and the fans will certainly miss this
popular little hustler. In Byrne Manager
Clarke is getting one of the best fielding
third basemen in the business, while as a
run-getter and base stealer, Byrne has few
equals. He is a great all-around player, and
Clarke has been after him since spring. The
trade was almost made last April, but Bresnahan
wanted more players than Clarke
would give up at that* time, but in getting
Barbeau and Storke Bresnahan thinks he is
strengthening his team. The players joined
their new teams at once, so Barbeau and
Storke have played their last game in Pitts
burg uniforms.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sShMA85pv8M