A career .344 hitter, he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in the Class of 1961 via the Veterans Committee.

According to biographer Roy Kerr, there is evidence to suggest Hamilton was descended from the Ulster Scots people.

Vic Power (1957), Darin Erstad (2000), Reed Johnson (2003) and Ian Kinsler (2009) have also accomplished the same feat.

Philadelphia outfielders Hamilton, Sam Thompson, Ed Delahanty and Tuck Turner all hit over .400 in 1894.

His .455 career on-base percentage ranks fourth all-time behind Ted Williams, Babe Ruth and John McGraw.

In 1937, Hamilton lambasted the Sporting News in a letter he wrote to them, stating, "I was and will be the greatest base stealer of all time.

"[7] After his playing days ended, Hamilton managed several minor league teams in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts and served as a scout with the Boston Nationals.