Tommy Bond

Tommy Bond
Birthdate 4/2/1856
Death Date 1/24/1941
Debut Year 1874
Year of Induction
Teams Boston Red Stockings (NL), Boston Reds (Union Association), Brooklyn Atlantics, Dark Blues, Indianapolis Hoosiers, Ruby Legs
Positions Manager, Pitcher, Right Field

Since the 1876 founding of the NL, only Tommy Bond tallied three-straight 40-win seasons; he has 234 career victories & a lifetime 2.14 ERA.

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In the collection:

Tommy Bond has a strong case for the Hall - his 2.14 ERA ranks 10th all-time and his 234 wins rank 65th

Tommy Bond has a strong case for the Hall - his 2.14 ERA ranks 10th all-time and his 234 wins rank 65th

The first Irish-born major leaguer, Tommy Bond left the Emerald Aisle and came to the US in 1862. His family settled in Brooklyn where young Tommy became enamored with the American game of baseball. By age 18 Bond was in the big leagues playing for his hometown Brooklyn Atlantics of the National As
In the Hall's collection is this letter written by Tommy Bond thanking Ford Frick for his lifetime pass

In the Hall's collection is this letter written by Tommy Bond thanking Ford Frick for his lifetime pass

The Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum has an extensive online collection. Shown here is Tommy Bond’s handwritten letter to National League President Ford Frick. Notice the date of April 2, 1936. The major’s first Irish-born player writes, “Dear Mr. Frick, I received my lifetime pass

Stories about Tommy Bond

Tommy Bond was one of the best pitchers in the early days of baseball

April 17th, 2021 Leave a comment

Tommy Bond

Tommy Bond was one of the greatest pitchers at the start of professional baseball. Many believe he belongs in Cooperstown.
His 2.14 career ERA is bested by only 6 Hall of Fame Hurlers.
He had six seasons of 20 or more wins, four seasons of 30 or more wins, and three seasons of 40 or more.
Some criticize the brevity of his 10-year career but his 3,628 2/3 innings remains 60th all time.
His case is now in the hands of the Veterans Committee.

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Lifetime passes were the brainchild of NL President Ford Frick; here’s a pictorial history

June 18th, 2016 Leave a comment

Lifetime pass

A newspaper man turned league publicist turned league president came up with a brilliant idea in 1934 — reward longtime National League players with a lifetime pass to all NL games. Senior Circuit owners approved Ford Frick’s proposal at the league meeting in December of ’34. A few months later, Frick sent out ornately decorated paper Lifetime Passes to the NL’s greatest players. He even sent one to Babe Ruth who appeared in all of 28 games for the Boston Braves in 1935. A 21-year veteran of the American League, the Babe was grateful if not surprised when he remarked, “At least the National League has a heart”. An image of the original paper pass presented to Hall of Fame outfielder Sliding Billy Hamilton can be seen below. A similar pass curiously issued to Stan Coveleski, a lifetime American Leaguer is also shown. Perhaps shamed by Ruth’s remarks, the American League joined forces in 1936 to issue a pass to all Major League contests. Players with twenty or more years of service received a solid gold pass. Seventeen men qualified for the true “golden ticket” — Ruth, Fred Clarke, Ty Cobb, Eddie Collins, Bill Dahlen, Harry Davis, Red Faber, Walter Johnson, […]

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One response to “Tommy Bond”

  1. He won the first pitching Triple Crown in MLB history. Put him in the Hall of Fame!

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"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball…"

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