After twice batting over .350 for the Chicago Colts, he starred on championship teams with the Brooklyn Superbas and the New York Giants.

In Defensive Wins above replacement (WAR), his 28.5 is eleventh best all-time, and he finished in the top five in the category in ten different seasons.

[1] He attended Fort Plain High School and the Clinton Liberal Institute, where he began an amateur baseball career as a pitcher and second baseman.

His mark was broken three years later by Willie Keeler, who hit in 44 straight; that NL record was eventually tied by Pete Rose.

His new team won the NL title in each of his first two seasons, and although his batting average had dropped from that of earlier years, he compensated by continuing to accumulate numerous walks and stolen bases and by playing outstanding defense.

After the 1903 season, Dahlen was traded to the Giants, the team he'd always strived to play for, in exchange for pitcher Jack Cronin and Charlie Babb.

Although he was hitless in the five-game Series, he contributed with flawless defense and by drawing three walks and stealing three bases.

In a 21-season career, Dahlen batted .272; his 84 home runs were then among the fifteen highest totals in history, and ranked behind only Herman Long (91) among shortstops.

[4] As early as 1908, Brooklyn owner Charles Ebbets sought to have Dahlen manage his club, though he was unable to achieve this until the 1910 season.

[1] Dahlen was featured in David Pietrusza's 1995 television documentary Local Heroes in the segment "Knocking on Cooperstown's Door."