This little Piggy went to bat

The aptly named Piggy Ward reaches base for a major league-record 17th straight plate appearance 131 years ago today.

Ward, the pride of Chambersburg, Pa., sets the record in 1893 while playing with the Baltimore Orioles, who acquire the infielder only three days earlier in a trade with Cincinnati that sends pitcher Tony Mullane to the Reds.

During his streak, Ward collects eight hits and eight walks, while also getting hit with a pitch.

Ward, measuring 5-foot-9 and weighing close to, ahem, 200 pounds, finishes the 1893 season batting .271 with an on-base percentage of .415.

The 26-year-old Ward is well-traveled that season, having also spending time in the minors with the Altoona Mud Turtles and Harrisburg Senators.

Ward’s record of reaching base 17 straight times still stands today.