Buck Ewing
| Birthdate | 10/17/1859 |
| Death Date | 10/20/1906 |
| Debut Year | 1880 |
| Year of Induction | 1939 |
| Teams | Giants |
| Position | Catcher |
No one received more votes in the 1st HoF election of 19th Century players than Buck Ewing. He was also among the first or his era to gain election.
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Buck Ewing's MLB debut came in 1880 with the Troy Trojans; here’s a letter from team owner Gardner Earl to HoFer William Hulbert
Buck Ewing's MLB debut came in 1880 with the Troy Trojans; here’s a letter from team owner Gardner Earl to HoFer William Hulbert
When the baseball Hall of Fame decided to vote on players from the 1800s, the top vote-getter was catcher Buck Ewing. One of the most respected players of his day, Ewing got his start in Major League Baseball in 1880 with the Troy Trojans. The owner of the club was Gardner Earl whose family made their fortune in the Troy’s textile industry.
The Trojans of 1880 featured a star-studded roster with five future Hall of Fame members. In addition to the catcher Ewing, five time batting champion and first baseman Dan Brouthers, and the major’s career home run leader from 1895-1921 Roger Connor batted for Troy that year. On the mound was a pair of future 300-game winners, Tim Keefe and Smiling Mickey Welch.
In the collection is this letter from Earl dated October 12, 1880, a month after Ewing’s big league debut. Trojans owner Earl writes the letter to National League president and Hall of Famer William Hulbert. Baseball letters from the 1800s are few and far between; this one from a team owner to a Hall of Fame executive is a rare find.
Buck Ewing's Hall of Fame plaque
Buck Ewing's Hall of Fame plaque
The Hall of Fame charged the Centennial Commission — Commissioner Landis, and League Presidents Ford Frick and William Harridge — to elect the best 19th century players to the Hall of Fame. The commission came up with Buck Ewing, Albert Spalding, Cap Anson, Charles Comiskey, Old Hoss Radbourn, and Candy Cummings. With a 1906 death year, Ewing signature remains elusive for even the most advanced collectors. His autograph is not yet in the CooperstownExpert collection.
