University of Vermont Athletic Hall of Fame
Bert W. Abbey 1891 - Baseball
One of the original UVM Hall of Fame inductees in 1969, Bert Abbey was the first former UVM baseball player, and one of the first collegians, to reach the big leagues. He played in the National League from 1892 to 1896 for four clubs.
Abbey didn't play baseball during his boyhood in Essex Center but during his freshman year at the University of Vermont, he organized a team made up of rookie collegians. And after the frosh "trounced" the varsity squad, Bert Abbey joined the varsity.
He signed with the Washington Senators after graduating from Vermont in 1891 and he pitched in 14 games before being sold to Pittsburgh. The Pirates sent him down to Macon, Ga., farm club, and then sold him to the Chicago White Sox. Frustrated by the continuing changes of scenery, Bert Abbey returned to Vermont. But the White Sox changed his mind with a big salary offer - $2,400 for the season. Later he was sold to the Brooklyn "Trolley" Dodgers, where he wrapped up his big league career.
Bert Abbey's last professional baseball home was in Montreal in the Eastern League - just a quick trip from home in Essex. Professional baseball and Bert Wood Abbey were born in the same year, 1869. But if he was offered a Major League contract today, chances are he'd turn it down.
Shortly before his death, he remarked, "Baseball's okay in college, but no place for a man with brain!"
