John Ward
| Birthdate | 3/3/1860 |
| Death Date | 3/4/1925 |
| Debut Year | 1878 |
| Year of Induction | 1964 |
| Teams | Dodgers, Giants, Grays, Ward's Wonders |
| Positions | Manager, Second Base, Shortstop |
John Ward was one of the greatest two-way players in baseball history; his stats include 164 wins, a 2.10 ERA and 2,107 base hits.
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John Ward was one of baseball’s best two-way players
John Ward was one of baseball’s best two-way players
John Ward played each of his 17 big league seasons before 1900. He broke in with the Providence Grays of the National League in 1878 and was used exclusively as a pitcher.
A 22-game winner in his first season, Ward led the NL with a 1.51 earned run average. The following year he led the league in wins, saves, and strikeouts. The 1879 season proved to be Ward’s best on the hill. Ward went 47-19 with a 2.15 ERA. A two-way threat, he also played 16 games at third base and 8 games in the outfield in ‘79. In Ward hit .286 with a 112 OPS+.
On June 17, 1880, he pitched the major leagues’ second perfect game. Ward made at least 34 starts in each of his first six seasons. He recorded at least 16 victories in each of those seasons and twice, and was a 20-game winner three times. In his 7th year he made just appearances on the hill, then he never pitched again. His lifetime record stands at 164-103 with a 2.15 ERA.
The versatile performer appeared in 826 games at shortstop, 493 at first base, 214 in the outfield, and 46 at third base. The fleet-footed Ward led the league twice in stolen bases, including an astounding 111 thefts in 1887. Ward’s career offensive numbers include 2,107 hits and 540 steal.
The Veterans Committee selected Ward for the Hall of Fame in 1964.
After retiring as a player, John Ward was president of the Boston Braves
After retiring as a player, John Ward was president of the Boston Braves
John Montgomery Ward recorded 47 wins in 1879 and 164 over the course of the seven years he pithed. After switching to shortstop Ward also recorded over 2,000 hits making him on of the best two-way players in the history of the game.
A trio of pieces relating to Ward appear in the collection. Ward became part-owner and president of the Boston Braves in December, 1911. Less than a month after ascending to the position, Ward received this letter from Braves outfielder Al Kaiser regarding his salary.
Addressed to Mr. J.M. Ward, President Boston Base Ball Co., the letter reads in part, “Your contract at hand + am sorry to say it is far from satisfactory. It will be impossible for me to sign for less than $1800.”
The following two letters are also related to Kaiser’s salary including a file copy letter from Ward himself. Though Ward did not sign any of the three pieces, he undoubtedly held each in his hand in 1912.
Eighteen years before Ward’s 1964 induction to Cooperstown he was selected by the Hall for inclusion in the Honor Rolls of Baseball.
In his role as team president, Ward negotiated player contracts
In his role as team president, Ward negotiated player contracts
After receiving word from Al Kaiser that the contract was unsatisfactory, John Montgomery Ward played hardball. Shown here is a file copy of Ward’s harsh response to his outfielder. It’s dated January 23, 1912.
Ward writes, “In case the Boston club should ask waiver on your services, is there any particular club you have in mind to which you would prefer to go and that would likely want you?”. Ward appears to threaten Kaiser with release if he doesn’t agree to terms.
Kaiser ended up playing in four games for Ward's Braves in 1912
Kaiser ended up playing in four games for Ward's Braves in 1912
Not succumbing to John Ward’s tactic of threatening to release him, Al Kaiser plays along in this letter of January 24, 1912. “…you may send me to any place you desire…Providing I play this season I will not report for less than $300 three hundred dollars per month to any club.”
Kaiser ended up playing 56 games for Indianapolis in the American Association in 1912 before suiting up for four contests for Ward’s Braves late in the season.
