Harry Wright

Harry Wright (1835-1895), American baseball manager and player, known as the Father of Baseball. In 1869 Wright organized, managed, and played for the first professional team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings (which became the Cincinnati Reds). He formed a team in the first professional league and is credited with introducing many fundamentals of the game.

Born in Sheffield, England, William Henry Wright moved to New York City as a child when his father, a star cricket player, was hired by the St. George Cricket Club. Wright became a fine cricketer in his own right, but also enjoyed the new game of “base ball” which was played in his neighborhood. While playing cricket in Cincinnati he was hired to form and manage the first professional baseball team. He recruited his brother, George Wright, one of the top players in the country, and in 1870 the Red Stockings went undefeated in 60 games on a national tour. In 1871 he recruited most of the team to start the Boston Red Stockings, an entry in the newly formed National Association. The Red Stockings won four of the league’s first five titles.

Wright was involved with Chicago White Sox owner William Hulbert in the foundation of the National League (NL) and Wright served as the league’s first secretary in late 1875. Wright’s team joined the NL in 1876. He managed the squad to titles in 1877 and 1878, before being fired in 1880. He then managed for Providence (Rhode Island) and Philadelphia until 1893. He instituted several innovations, including pregame batting practice, hand signals, positioning outfielders according to hitters’ strengths, and the double steal. He also stressed sportsmanship and organization in the game. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953.