Louis Van Zelst [SEP] date of death
Louis Van Zelst
Louis Van Zelst (1895–1915) was a batboy, mascot, and good luck charm for the Philadelphia Athletics from 1910 to 1914. Due to an illness sustained at the age of eight, Van Zelst was a hunchback, and was not in the least self-conscious about it, urging Athletics players to rub his hump for good luck.
Van Zelst had originally been a mascot for teams at the University of Pennsylvania, but Athletics players lived in the West Philadelphia neighborhood, and he got to know
, Van Zelst went over to Shibe Park, approached manager Mack, and asked to serve as batboy that day. Mack agreed, and after Van Zelst had competently handled the chores twice (and the Athletics had won both games), hired Van Zelst for the position at home games the following season, having a uniform made for him.
Van Zelst became one of the Athletics family; he was invited to Eddie Collins' wedding and a Baseball Writers' Association of America dinner. He became popular with both Athletics and