Buck Ewing

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Buck Ewing

Inducted:
1939

Buck Ewing, MLB Hall of Fame

Personal Details

Born:
October 17, 1859
Hoagland, Ohio, U.S.

Died:
October 20, 1906
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.

Position:
Catcher
Infielder
Outfielder
Manager

Buck Ewing was one of the most versatile and complete players of 19th-century baseball. Known primarily as a catcher, he also excelled at multiple infield and outfield positions, showcasing rare athleticism and a strong throwing arm.

Ewing played 18 seasons (1880–1897), mostly with the New York Giants, and was widely regarded as the best catcher of his time. He combined power, speed, and intelligence in a way few catchers ever have. Offensively, he hit over .300 in ten different seasons, ending his career with a .303 batting average.
Defensively, he revolutionized catching with his mobility and cannon arm. Beyond stats, he was also a respected team leader and even managed during and after his playing days.

Ewing’s influence extended into the early formation of professional baseball standards, and he was among the first five players elected to the Hall of Fame in 1939.

Ewing's Awards and Records

  • Revolutionized catching with advanced mobility and defensive range
  • First catcher to regularly throw out runners from his knees
  • Played all nine positions during his career
  • Hit .300+ in 10 seasons
  • .303 Career Batting Average
  • Managed 3 different teams in his MLB career
  • Widely regarded as the greatest catcher of the 19th century

MLB Records

  • First catcher in MLB history widely recognized for combining defensive skill, speed, and power hitting.
  • First catcher to record 10+ home runs in a single season (1883)
  • One of the first players to steal 50+ bases in a season while playing catcher
  • Held the record for most games caught in the 19th century at the time of his retirement
  • First catcher to consistently throw out base runners from his knees
  • Played all nine positions during his career — showcasing his incredible versatility

MLB Teams:

As Player
Troy Trojans (1880–1882)
New York Gothams / Giants (1883–1889)
New York Giants (PL) (1890)
New York Giants (1891–1892)
Cleveland Spiders (1893–1894)
Cincinnati Reds (1895–1897)

As Manager
New York Giants (PL) (1890)
Cincinnati Reds (1895–1899)
New York Giants (1900)

Career Stats

As Player
Seasons Played:
18
Games Played:
1,315
At Bats:
5,542
Hits:
1,625
Batting Average:
.303
Home Runs:
71
Runs Batted In (RBI):
883
Runs Scored:
1,129
Doubles:
247
Triples:
178
Stolen Bases:
354
On-Base Percentage (OBP):
.313
Slugging Percentage (SLG):
.456

As Manager
Games Managed:
901
Wins:
489
Losses:
395
Ties:
17
Winning Percentage:
.553