Havre de Grace's Own 'Moonlight' Graham?

The Baseball Writers' Association of America unveiled the results of the National Baseball Hall of Fame balloting Monday.

Why is this newsworthy for us here in Havre de Grace?

Well, because I was once a member of the BBWAA. And one of the all-time greats was born here in Havre de Grace.

Actually, I had the honor of covering Havre de Grace native Cal Ripken's induction into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 2007.

Another connection? Cooperstown is the location of the Hall of Fame and also home to one other item of note—the source of the Susquehanna River. It looks more like Deer Creek in parts of Upstate New York, but that's where it begins.

So anyway, I got to poking around some baseball websites yesterday as the seamhead in me started watching the Hall of Fame announcement, in which Barry Larkin was unveiled as this year's lone inductee. Jack Morris will have to wait until next year.

In my research I found that three former major league ballplayers were born in Havre de Grace.

Cal Ripken is obvious. So, too, is Bill Ripken, if you know anything about the First Family of Aberdeen.

The third is more obscure.

In fact, I read his bio and thought to myself: Was this guy the inspiration for Archibald "Moonlight" Graham?

Turns out we have our own version of the Field of Dreams character Doc Graham here in Havre de Grace—Bill Gilbert. In the movie, Burt Lancaster played the older Doc, who appeared in just one major league game but has no stats to show for it. Meanwhile, Gilbert, who had an abbreviated career himslef, is listed as having been born and died in Havre de Grace. And he's apparently buried in Angel Hill Cemetery.

I'll be researching that last item in person soon.

The following I learned from his profile on Baseball Almanac.

Gilbert pitched in two games—tossing a complete game in one and five innings in another—for the 1892 Baltimore Orioles. In his 14 innings, he struck out five and walked 17 (probably still a better walk-to-strikeout ratio than I had in high school).

The 24-year-old also went 2-for-6 with a double. They used to hit back then, too.

His first game was Sept. 15, 1892. His final on Sept. 20, 1892.

Just two games played. At least he had full stat lines, unlike Moonlight.

He stood 6 feet tall, his weight was 180 pounds, and his high school of record was unknown.

So I learned something new about baseball, and about Havre de Grace. Pretty cool.

Now I'm on a mission to learn more about one of the great ballplayers to come out of Havre de Grace.

Do you know anything about Bill Gilbert? Or do you know anyone related to Bill Gilbert? Tell us in the comments.