Vital Statistics:
Born: Oct. 17, 1859 in Hoagland, Ohio.
Died: Oct. 20, 1906
Teams: Troy Trojans (1880-1882), New York Gothams, Mutuals, Giants (1883-1889, 1891-1892), New York Giants, Players League (1890), Cleveland Spiders (1893-1894), Cincinnati Reds (1895-1897)
Inducted into Hall of Fame: 1939
Height: 5-10
Weight: 188
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary position: Catcher
Career Highlights:
- Known as the best catcher of the 19th century and a great all-around player. He was the first catcher elected to the Hall.
- Hit .311 lifetime with 71 homers, a high total for that era. He was the first player to hit double digits in homers in a season, belting 10 in 1883 for the New York Gothams, who later became the Giants.
- Played all nine positions and stole 354 bases.
After Retirement:
- Was a player-manager and later the manager of the Cincinnati Reds and New York Giants at the turn of the century.
- Died of complciations from diabetes in 1906 at age 47.
