Ranking the Catchers With a commanding presence behind the plate and a rocket arm, Johnny Bench was the best defensive catcher in history. But that wasn’t all. The powerful right-handed slugger won a pair of Most Valuable Player awards and led the Reds to six division titles, four pennants, and two championships. He hit…
Buck Ewing Positions: Catcher, First Baseman and RightfielderBats: Right • Throws: Right5-10, 188lb (178cm, 85kg)Born: October 17, 1859 in Hoagland, OHDied: October 20, 1906 in Cincinnati, OHBuried: Mount Washington Cemetery, Cincinnati, OHDebut: September 9, 1880 (487th in major league history)Last Game: May 27, 1897Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1939. (Voted by Old Timers Committee)View Buck Ewing’s Page at the Baseball Hall of Fame (plaque, photos, videos).Full Name: William EwingView Player Info from…
Acknowledging that Cobb‚ Speaker‚ and Collins are all good ball players‚ Cap Anson picks his all-time team‚ leaving them off. In the current issue of TSN‚ Anson selects C-Buck Ewing and King Kelly; P-Amos Rusie‚ John Clarkson‚ Jim McCormick; 1B-himself; 2B-Fred Pfeffer; 3B-Ed Williamson; SS-Ross Barnes; OF-Bill Lange‚ George Gore‚ Jimmy Ryan‚ and Hugh Duffy.
In the New York Evening Journal‚ 80s player-manager Sam Crane picks his all-time list‚ in response to a list that Charles Comiskey compiled. Crane graciously faults Comiskey for not including himself‚ as well as for not going back far enough. He lists 20 in chronological order: G. Wright‚ Ross Barnes‚ C. Anson‚ M. Kelly‚ C. Radbourne F. Dunlap‚ B. Ewing‚ J. Ward‚ C. Comiskey‚ B. Lange‚ J. McGraw‚ L. Lajoie‚ F. Clarke‚ H. Wagner‚ W. Keeler‚ J. Collins‚ C. Mathewson‚ H. Chase‚ T. Cobb‚ and E. Collins.
Buck Ewing resigns as manager of the last-place Giants and is replaced by SS George Davis. The Giants respond, as it seems they do with each managerial change, with a win over Brooklyn, 14 – 1.
Bid McPhee‚ 2B for the Reds for 18 years‚ retires. ending a career equaled in the 19th century only by Buck Ewing and Cap Anson. His lifetime record of 6‚545 putouts is still untopped. McPhee is the last position player to go gloveless.
1891 – The New York Giants’ salary list is leaked to the press. It shows a total player payroll of $54,600 with Buck Ewing’s $5,500 salary topping the scale.
In San Francisco, CA, New York Giants pitcher George Van Haltren tosses a no-hitter against the St. Louis Browns in an exhibition game. The only solidly hit ball is a Tip O’Neill line drive caught by first baseman Buck Ewing.