Deacon McGuire
Encyclopedia
James Thomas "Deacon" McGuire (November 18, 1863 – October 31, 1936) was a catcher
, manager
and coach in Major League Baseball
who spent over a quarter of a century playing professional baseball in a much-traveled career which saw him set several records for durability. His record of playing in 26 major league seasons was unmatched until , and he established a major league record for career games caught which stood until ; his record of 1859 career assists
as a catcher remains the major league record.
, McGuire moved with his family to Cleveland
when he was still a child. He began his professional baseball career with the Toledo Blue Stockings
of the American Association
. When the team folded, he joined the Detroit Wolverines
. In 1886, McGuire joined the Philadelphia Quakers
, where he would stay for three years, and in 1888, he briefly returned to the Wolverines before playing 26 games for the Cleveland Spiders
.
After serving as player-manager of the Toronto franchise in the International League
in 1889
, he had a one-year stint with the short-lived Rochester Broncos
, then joined the Washington Senators
, where he would stay for eight years until being traded to the Brooklyn Superbas
during the 1899
season; in 1899 and 1900 he was one of the two principal catchers for Brooklyn's NL champions. In 1902 he joined the Detroit Tigers
of the rival American League
. Before the 1904 season, he was sold to the New York Highlanders
, catching 97 games, at age 40, for a team that missed the pennant by 1.5 games.
Throughout his career, he was signed on and played for a total of 11 different major-league teams, wearing 12 different jerseys, giving him the record of playing for more teams than any other baseball player until he was surpassed by Matt Stairs
in 2010 who played for 12 different teams.
McGuire is one of only 29 players in baseball history to date who have appeared in Major League games in four decades.
, he became manager of the Boston Red Sox
in , and had a three-year term leading the Cleveland Naps
beginning in . His career managerial record finished at 210-287 (.423). Afterward, he became a coach with the Tigers from 1911 to 1917, and later was coach at Albion College
in Michigan.
McGuire died in Duck Lake, Michigan at age 72.
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
, manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
and coach in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who spent over a quarter of a century playing professional baseball in a much-traveled career which saw him set several records for durability. His record of playing in 26 major league seasons was unmatched until , and he established a major league record for career games caught which stood until ; his record of 1859 career assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
as a catcher remains the major league record.
Baseball career
Born in Youngstown, OhioYoungstown, Ohio
Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County; it also extends into Trumbull County. The municipality is situated on the Mahoning River, approximately southeast of Cleveland and northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
, McGuire moved with his family to Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
when he was still a child. He began his professional baseball career with the Toledo Blue Stockings
Toledo Blue Stockings
The Toledo Blue Stockings formed as a minor league baseball team in Toledo, Ohio in 1883. They won the Northwestern League championship in 1883. Their home ballpark was League Park....
of the American Association
American Association (19th century)
The American Association was a Major League Baseball league that existed for 10 seasons from to . During that time, it challenged the National League for dominance of professional baseball...
. When the team folded, he joined the Detroit Wolverines
Detroit Wolverines
The Detroit Wolverines were a 19th century baseball team that played in the National League from 1881 to 1888 in the city of Detroit, Michigan. In total, they won 426 games and lost 437, taking their lone pennant in 1887. The team was disbanded following the 1888 season.-Franchise...
. In 1886, McGuire joined the Philadelphia Quakers
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, where he would stay for three years, and in 1888, he briefly returned to the Wolverines before playing 26 games for the Cleveland Spiders
Cleveland Spiders
The Cleveland Spiders were a Major League Baseball team which played between 1887 and 1899 in Cleveland, Ohio. The team played at National League Park from 1889 to 1890 and at League Park from 1891 to 1899.- 1887-1891 :...
.
After serving as player-manager of the Toronto franchise in the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
in 1889
1889 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: New York Giants 6, Brooklyn Bridegrooms 3*National League: New York Giants*American Association: Brooklyn Bridegrooms-National League final standings:-American Association final standings:-National League statistical leaders:...
, he had a one-year stint with the short-lived Rochester Broncos
Rochester Broncos
The Rochester Broncos were a short-lived baseball team in the American Association, playing only one season, 1890. They finished fifth in the league with a record of 63-63...
, then joined the Washington Senators
Washington Senators (1891-1899)
The Washington Senators were a 19th century baseball team. The team was also known as the Washington Statesmen and the Washington Nationals. The team played at Boundary Field....
, where he would stay for eight years until being traded to the Brooklyn Superbas
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
during the 1899
1899 in baseball
-National League final standings:-Events:*May 15 - Willie Keeler, known as one of the smallest players and best bunters in baseball, drives the ball past startled left fielder Ed Delahanty of the Philadelphia Phillies for an inside-the-park grand slam and an 8–5 victory for the Brooklyn...
season; in 1899 and 1900 he was one of the two principal catchers for Brooklyn's NL champions. In 1902 he joined the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
of the rival American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
. Before the 1904 season, he was sold to the New York Highlanders
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, catching 97 games, at age 40, for a team that missed the pennant by 1.5 games.
Throughout his career, he was signed on and played for a total of 11 different major-league teams, wearing 12 different jerseys, giving him the record of playing for more teams than any other baseball player until he was surpassed by Matt Stairs
Matt Stairs
Matthew Wade Stairs is a former Canadian professional Major League baseball outfielder, first baseman, designated hitter, and pinch hitter. He played for 12 different teams, a major league record he shares with Octavio Dotel, Mike Morgan and Ron Villone...
in 2010 who played for 12 different teams.
McGuire is one of only 29 players in baseball history to date who have appeared in Major League games in four decades.
Managerial career and retirement
Already having been a player-manager for the Senators in 18981898 in baseball
-National League final standings:-Events:*April 21 - Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Bill Duggleby hits a grand slam in his first major league at-bat. No one else will accomplish that feat until Jeremy Hermida in ....
, he became manager of the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in , and had a three-year term leading the Cleveland Naps
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
beginning in . His career managerial record finished at 210-287 (.423). Afterward, he became a coach with the Tigers from 1911 to 1917, and later was coach at Albion College
Albion College
Albion College is a private liberal arts college located in Albion, Michigan. Related to the United Methodist Church, it was founded in 1835 and was the first private college in Michigan to have a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. It has a student population of about 1500.The school's sports teams are...
in Michigan.
McGuire died in Duck Lake, Michigan at age 72.
External links
- http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/dgkeysearchresult.cfm?word=McGuire%2C%20Deacon%2C%201863%2D1936&s=3¬word=&f=2 Photos at NYPL Digital Archives