John Joseph McGraw

John Joseph McGraw (1873-1934), American professional baseball player and manager, who, in three trips overseas as manager of groups of players, introduced the game of baseball to Europe and eastern Asia. He was born in Truxton, New York. He became a professional player in 1890, and by 1891 he was playing as third baseman for the Baltimore team of the National League. He managed the Baltimore club in 1899, after which it dropped out of the National League, and the Baltimore team of the newly formed American League in 1901 and 1902. From 1902 to 1932 McGraw was manager of the New York Giants of the National League. During this period the team won ten National League championships and three world championships, one of the best managerial records ever made in baseball. McGraw introduced many tactical innovations into the game. As a third baseman he played in 1082 games and had a lifetime batting average of .334. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937.