[Mick]

I was born in East Bridgeport, Connecticut and worked on my family farm. I played on the Middletown Mansfields as a catcher. They folded but I impressed the Boston Red Stockings enough to be offered a contract. The Red Stockings, owned by a Protestant family, asked me to drop the "O'" from my last name. I said "I would rather die than give up my father's name. A million dollars would not tempt me."

On April 22, 1876, I had the first base hit in National League history. I had a tremendous arm, throwing one of these old baseballs 365 feet, the second longest recorded throw at the time.

In 1887, I graduated from Yale Law School, and practiced law in between playing stints. I earned the nickname "Orator Jim"

I was considered one of the best baseball players in the 19th century and was elected to the Hall of Fame. I played in the minor leagues until I was over 50 years old, and at age 54, I became the oldest player to appear in a National League game, under my friend and manager John McGraw...and I am the oldest player to hit safely in a major league game.

In 1895, I signed Harry Herbert, the first African American to play pro ball for the Bridgeport team. 

In 1912, I caught a complete game at the age of 60 in the minor leagues.

My older brother John and my son Jimmy both played in MLB. My son also graduated from Yale, in 1904.

Who am I?

[Mick]

I was born in East Bridgeport, Connecticut and worked on my family farm. I played on the Middletown Mansfields as a catcher. They folded but I impressed the Boston Red Stockings enough to be offered a contract. The Red Stockings, owned by a Protestant family, asked me to drop the "O'" from my last name. I said "I would rather die than give up my father's name. A million dollars would not tempt me."

On April 22, 1876, I had the first base hit in National League history. I had a tremendous arm, throwing one of these old baseballs 365 feet, the second longest recorded throw at the time.

In 1887, I graduated from Yale Law School, and practiced law in between playing stints. I earned the nickname "Orator Jim"

I was considered one of the best baseball players in the 19th century and was elected to the Hall of Fame. I played in the minor leagues until I was over 50 years old, and at age 54, I became the oldest player to appear in a National League game, under my friend and manager John McGraw...and I am the oldest player to hit safely in a major league game.

In 1895, I signed Harry Herbert, the first African American to play pro ball for the Bridgeport team. 

In 1912, I caught a complete game at the age of 60 in the minor leagues.

My older brother John and my son Jimmy both played in MLB. My son also graduated from Yale, in 1904.

Who am I?