John McGraw (baseball)

John McGraw Infielder/ManagerBorn: April 7, 1873(1873-04-07)
Truxton, New YorkDied: February 25, 1934(aged 60)
New Rochelle, New YorkBatted: Left Threw: Right MLB debut August 26, 1891
for the Baltimore OriolesFinal game September 12, 1906
for the New York GiantsCareer statistics Batting average .334 Stolen bases 436 Runs scored 1,024 Teams

As Player

As Manager

Career highlights and awards

World Series champion: 1905, 1921, 1922
National League pennant: 1894, 1895, 1896, 1904, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1923, 1924
Managerial record: 2,763-1,948 (.586)
3rd-best on base percentage in Major League history (.466)
2-time National League runs scored leader
2nd all time in ejections (132)
Name honored by the Giants.

Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Elected 1937Election Method Veteran's Committee

John McGraw (2nd from left, front row) with the 1896 Baltimore Orioles

John Joseph McGraw (April 7, 1873–February 25, 1934), nicknamed "Little Napoleon" and "Muggsy", was a Major League Baseball player and manager. His total of 2,763 victories as a manager ranks second overall behind only Connie Mack; he still holds the National League record with 2,669 wins in the senior circuit.[1]

Born in Truxton, New York. He made his major league debut in 1891 in the American Association with the Baltimore Orioles. After the Orioles moved to the National League a year later, he remained with the team until 1899. In this time, McGraw established himself as an astute batsman with a keen eye, and an excellent third baseman. He walked over 100 times in a season three times, scored over 100 runs in a season five times, batted .320 or higher in every year from 1893 on, and also boasted an on base percentage of .400 or higher in every year from 1893 on, including a career high mark of .547 in 1899. McGraw also took on managerial duties for the 1899 Oriole team and posted an 86–62 record.

John McGraw on a 1909–1911 American Tobacco Company baseball card. John McGraw in 1911.

McGraw's playing time diminished over the following years as he played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1900), the American League Baltimore Orioles (1901–1902), and the New York Giants (1902–1906). He effectively retired after the 1902 season, not posting more than 12 at bats in any season thereafter. He retired having accumulated 1,024 runs, 13 home runs, 462 RBI, a .334 batting average, and a .466 on base percentage. His .466 career on base percentage remains third all-time behind only baseball legends Ted Williams (.482) and Babe Ruth (.474).

Despite these successes as a player, McGraw is most remembered for his tremendous accomplishments as a manager. Over 33 years as a manager with the Baltimore Orioles of both leagues (1899 NL, 1901–1902 AL) and New York Giants (1902–1932), McGraw compiled 2,763 wins and 1,948 losses for a .586 winning percentage. His teams won 10 National League pennants, 3 World Series championships and had 11 second place finishes while posting only two losing records. In 1918 he broke Fred Clarke's major league record of 1670 career victories. McGraw led the Giants to first place each year from 1921-1924, becoming the only National League manager to win four consecutive pennants. McGraw is second all time with a total of 131 total ejections (at least 14 of these came as a player). Bobby Cox set the record as the Atlanta Braves manager on August 14, 2007.

In 1919, McGraw became a part-owner of the Giants when Charles Stoneham bought the club, becoming vice president and general manager as well as field manager--giving him total control over the baseball side of the Giants operation. He retired as manager midway through the 1932 season. McGraw was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937; his plaque stated that he was considered the greatest assessor of baseball talent. In honor the days he spent coaching at St. Bonaventure, St. Bonaventure University named its athletic fields after McGraw and his teammate, fellow coach, and fellow Hall of Famer Hugh Jennings.

John McGraw died of cancer at age 60 and is interred in New Cathedral (Roman Catholic) Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland.[2]

Connie Mack would surpass McGraw's major league victory total just months later. After his death his wife found, among his personal belongings, a list of all of the African-American players he wanted to sign over the years, but was unable to.[3]

Although McGraw played before numbers were worn on jerseys, the Giants honor him along with their retired numbers at AT&T Park.

References

^ Manager records index. Baseball-Reference. Retrieved on 2008-05-03.
^ Markoe, Arnie. The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives, 87.
^ Threston, Christopher (2003). The Integration of Baseball in Philadelphia. McFarland, 11.

External links

Baseball Hall of Fame
Baseball-Reference.com - managing record and playing statistics

Preceded by
First Manager Baltimore Orioles Manager
1901-1902 Succeeded by
Wilbert RobinsonPreceded by
Heinie Smith New York Giants Manager
1902–1924 Succeeded by
Hughie JenningsPreceded by
Hughie Jennings New York Giants Manager
1924–1925 Succeeded by
Hughie JenningsPreceded by
Hughie Jennings New York Giants Manager
1925–1927 Succeeded by
Rogers HornsbyPreceded by
Rogers Hornsby New York Giants Manager
1928–1932 Succeeded by
Bill Terry

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