In 1912 president Donald C. Despain was hopeful for a better finish than their sixth place finish in 1911. However, an ailment left him hospitalized for three weeks before the season began leaving the management of the club to William Dwyer. 1912 was his third full season of ownership of the club, having bought the club during the 1909 season.
Pinback courtesy Dan Bretta

The Railsplitters experienced a dismal start of the year. They spent most of April and May in last place. In June they moved to seventh place in the eight team league and stayed there for the month of July. In August they made a move and their August winning streak moved them to fourth place.

The team featured a "kids day" at Antelope park. On these days kids were allowed into the bleachers for free. As the season progressed the kids managed to wiggle their way into the grandstands and in the bleachers many fights and other problems were common. Eventually the management had to cancel kids days.

For the season Lincoln wound up first in fielding and fourth in hitting. Their lack of pitching kept them from finishing in a higher position.

Roster:

First base for the Railsplitters in 1912 was held down by Charlie Mullen. The young ball player who graduated from the University of Washington was picked up by the White Sox and played in forty one games for them in 1910 and twenty games in 1911. He returned to the majors in 1914 and played for three years for the New York Yankees. Although he was a natural first baseman, he also played second base for the Lincoln team and played some second base for the Yankees. He batted .297 for the 1912 season and was with the team the entire year. He died in 1963 in Seattle.

William Dwyer was the manager of the Railsplitters in 1912 and played 30 games at first base. He batted .250 for the year and was there from opening day to close of season. Willis Cole played eighty four games at second base and eighty two games in the outfield for the Railsplitters. He batted .315 for the year. Born in Milton Junction Wisconsin, Willis was a thirty year old veteran in 1912. He had a short stint with the White Sox in 1909 and 1910. He was released from the Sox during the 1910 season and was picked up by the Railsplitters. He played in 68 major league games in the outfield.

Third base for Lincoln was anchored by Louis Barbour. He played every game for the Railsplitters at third base and averaged .309 for the year. He had played in the Connecticut League before coming to Lincoln. He had the first double of the year for Lincoln and received a $5.00 pair of shoes from the Men's Bootery.

Marty "Pepper" Berghammer played 125 games for Lincoln at shortstop averaging .299 for the year. The twenty four year old from Elliott Pennsylvania had played two games for the White Sox in 1911. He did not start the year with Lincoln but came in early June to help in the infield. His play with the Railsplitters in 1912 led the Reds to pick him up in 1913. He played for the Reds in 1913 and 1914 and with the Pittsburg Rebels in the Federal League in 1915. He returned to play in Lincoln in 1917 for Ducky Holmes. In 1925 he was the manager of the Tulsa franchise in the Western League and still a favorite with the Lincoln fans.

Catcher for the Railsplitters was a divided position. Milo Stratton started the season at catcher and played in eighty one games at that position. He came from Wheeling in the Central League. He batted .245 for the year.

The other catcher for the year was Carney who played in 103 games and maintained a .236 average for the year. He was picked up by the team during the season to help with the catching position.

The outfield featured four different players for most of the year. Willis Cole split his time between second base and the outfield. Paul Cobb brother to Ty Cobb held down right field for Lincoln. He was a regular in 1911 and in 1912 he batted .265 for the year.

Center field was held down by Miller He played in 124 games and hit .280 for the 1912 season.

William "Big Bill" or "Packy" McCormick was the regular in left field in 1911 and 1912 for Lincoln. He led the team with a .348 average. The six foot three inch tall McCormick was well over 200 lbs. and was the biggest player on the team. He batted cleanup for the Railsplitters.

Harry Smith was 19-14 for the Railsplitters in 1913. The young pitcher from Fremont Nebraska had played in the Nebraska State League in 1910 and 1911.

Z.Z. "Rip" Hagerman was considered to be the leading pitcher for Lincoln in 1912. Zerah Zequiel was a twenty four year old from Lyndon Kansas. He had pitched in 13 games for Chicago (NL) in 1909. In 1914 he was back in the majors with Cleveland where he played for three years. The 6' 2" right handed pitcher played in 51 games for Lincoln. He was 23 and 18 for the year and had 315 strikeouts in 345 innings of work.

Mogridge was 8-5 for the year.

Tuckey was 11-10.

Frank Dessau was 6-2

Wolverton was 9-9 and Palmer was 4-8 for the season.

Joe Doyle started the season with Lincoln. He was 2-9 for the Railsplitters when he was sent to Hastings for more seasoning. He was 6-1 for Hastings and instrumental in bringing them the NSL championship in 1912.

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