John McGraw (baseball)
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John_McGraw_Baseball_Card.jpg
John Joseph McGraw (April 7, 1873–February 25, 1934), nicknamed "Little Napoleon", was a Major League Baseball player and manager. His total of 2763 victories as a manager ranks second all-time behind only that of Connie Mack; he still holds the National League record with 2669 wins in that circuit.
Born in Truxton, New York, McGraw made his major league debut in 1891 with the National League's Baltimore Orioles, a team for which he would play through 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 three times, scored over 100 runs five times, batted .320 or higher in every year from 1893 on, and also posted 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 a 86–62 record.
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 as he didn't post more than 12 at bats in any season thereafter. He retired having accumulated 1024 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, 1901–1902) and New York Giants (1902–1932), McGraw compiled 2763 wins and 1948 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 died of an internal hemorrhage in New Rochelle, New York at age 60. Mack would surpass McGraw's major league victory total just months later.
McGraw was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937.
External links
- Baseball Hall of Fame (http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/mcgraw_john.htm)
- Baseball-Reference.com (http://www.baseball-reference.com/managers/mcgrajo01.shtml) - managing record and playing statistics
Categories: 1873 births | 1934 deaths | 19th century baseball players | Baseball Hall of Fame | Baseball managers | New York Giants managers | New York Giants players | Baltimore Orioles managers | Major league third basemen | People from New York | St. Louis Cardinals players | Baltimore Orioles players