- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Boston
- Team: Beaneaters
- League: National League
Thomas Francis Gunning (1862-1931) looks like a mediocre ball player on the record. His six years in MLB show a weak hitting catcher whose defense was shaky. The stats belie a “sober, honest, reliable and energetic” player who was a credit to his sport. Popular at every level in which he played, Tom was as serious about his studies as about baseball, which is saying something. Even when he was completing his medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania, and with a bad arm, Gunning played for his school team and for Hartford. His major league tenure began with the Beaneaters in 1884 where he played three seasons before moving on to the two Philadelphia clubs, the Quakers and Athletics. His lifetime .205 average and .887 fielding % don’t begin to express his value to his teams or the esteem of his managers and colleagues. Frequently chosen to fill in as an umpire, Gunning was known for his objectivity, sometimes to the dismay of his teammates during a rowdy and partisan era. He turned down overtures from St. Louis in ’87 to remain in Philadelphia and med school.
- Gunning eschewed protective gear & frequently paid the price
- Was assigned as a rookie to the Massachusetts State Association – a “reserve” league concocted by the Beaneaters to safeguard their youngsters from the Union Association’s depredations
- As a young MD in Fall River, MA, had a role in the inquests into the 1892 Lizzie Borden axe murders case
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Washington, D.C.
- Team: Nationals
- League: National League
Bernard Gilligan (1856-1934) may serve as the textbook example of “good field, no hit.” As a hitter, he ranks among the all-time worst, 1 of 6 catchers to occupy the “top” ten list. But “Little Barney” was superb behind the plate & drew accolades from his first outings until his last games in semi-pro ball around Boston past the turn of the century. And no matter how weak his offense, no catcher ever had the year Barney did in 1884. He was Old Hoss Radbourn’s personal catcher & caught every game of the greatest season by a major league hurler. Depending on who is counting, Radbourn won 59 or 60 games and the pennant that magical season. With “hands half beaten to a pulp by catching 81 regular-season games,” the diminutive backstop humbly accepted a personalized Springfield watch (worth over $4000 today) commemorating his role in Radbourn’s year for the ages. The presentation came during the post-season tourney which Radbourn and his Providence Grays swept in three. When the Grays were being dissolved, Boston passed on Gillligan, distrusting his arm strength. The Senators were delighted to add him to their expansion-club roster in ’86.
- It took a rookie Connie Mack to dislodge Barney from his starting role
- As if spurred by his pitcher’s greatness, Gilligan had his best year at the plate in ’84
- Gilligan’s uniform color on this card was changed in May, 2017 from black to blue to reflect recent reliable research by Craig Brown & friends at Threads of Our Game. Six cards had been previously released featuring a black uniform.
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Chicago
- Team: White Stockings
- League: National League
Frank Sylvester Flint (1855-1892) broke into MLB as a 19-year-old catcher for the St Louis Red Stockings of the NAPBBP in 1875. He spent the ’78 season with the Indianapolis Blues during their only year in the NL and then caught on with the Chicago White Stockings for 11 years. Twice Flint led the league in fielding % and was near the top in four other seasons. He routinely ranked among the leading catchers in games played, put-outs, assists and range. A heavy drinker, “Silver” died just a few years following his retirement at age 36.
- Flint led the NL in games caught four times
- Partly due to his longevity, this hard-working backstop is still third all-time in errors with 456
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Chicago
- Team: White Stockings
- League: National League
Charles Andrew Farrell (1866-1925) was a much-beloved and highly touted catcher for 18 years. He played three years for Boston (AL), all pennant-winning clubs. Returning to Boston after a ten year absence, the Royal Rooters gave him a diamond ring on opening day. When the club played next in D.C., the Senators fans gave him “the greatest ovation a visiting player ever received on a Washington ball field.” And there was much to love: 1563 games, 1564 hits, 912 RBI. And Duke set a record that still stands, throwing out 8 of 9 attempted steals on May 11, 1897. Farrell earned praise at every stop in his nine-team career, with multiple stints with several of the clubs.
- Was reputed to have earned his nickname by consuming 380 clams
- After helping the Sox to the first world title in 1903, per Tim Murnane, Boston writer: “…Farrell is the greatest catcher the game has produced”
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: New York
- Team: Giants
- League: National League
- Hall: National Baseball Hall of Fame
William Ewing (1859-1906) was the premier catcher of the 19th century, honored for decades after his early death as even, perhaps, the greatest player of all time. A scourge at bat, Buck hit over .300 ten times. He played behind the plate with courage and style, crouching close to the hitter so as to shave precious seconds off his inerrant throws. Ewing had debuted with the remarkable Troy Trojans in 1880 and joined four future Hall-of-Famers in moving to NYC in ‘83. The sturdy catcher may have been the primary inspiration for Jim Mutrie’s “my Giants!” exclamation that led to the new identity of the Gothams. An arm injury on a raw spring day curtailed his tenure behind the plate from 1891 on. Such a magnetic figure couldn’t escape the turmoil of the Players’ League controversies and Ewing was sometimes pilloried for lax effort. Despite such caviling, Ewing left as indelible a mark on the game’s first century as anyone. Upon his induction to Cooperstown (among the first six of the “pre-modern” era), he was hailed by Connie Mack as the greatest catcher he had seen and he had seen most.
- “Buck” was a derivative of “Buckingham,” bestowed on the budding star by an admiring scribe who wanted to add gravitas to the youngster’s reputation
- Played all nine positions and managed 3 different teams over 7 seasons
- Was the first catcher elected to the Hall of Fame; and the second 19th century player elected (after Cap Anson)
- Elected to Hall of Fame: 1939
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