Ed Konetchy was born on September 3, 1885, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the son of immigrant Bohemian (Czech) parents.

[1] At 19 he joined the La Crosse Pinks of the Class-D Wisconsin State League,[1] playing with the team at a park in what is now the 23rd and 24th Street Historic Neighborhood, at the current site of Heeter's Car Care.

While he was considered an above-average hitter (he batted over .300 four times) he was more known around the league for his supreme consistency, his never-faltering speed, and his high degree of defensive skill at first base.

Konetchy made his Major League debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1907, and went on to acquire 25 stolen bases in 1909, hit .302 in 1910, and pick up 88 RBIs in 1911.

In 1911, with the Cards only three games out of first place in early July, the team was involved in a train crash on its way from Philadelphia to Boston.

Konetchy and Cards manager Roger Bresnahan led the rescue effort, carrying many passengers to safety, some of whom may have died.

Despite posting their first winning season since 1901, the Cardinals never recovered from the incident, finishing a distant fifth; but Konetchy led the NL with 38 doubles, and his own team with six home runs and 88 RBIs.

Playing for Pittsburgh of the Federal League, he tied his career high with a .314 average, with 10 home runs and 93 RBIs.