154: Roger Bresnahan - MLB
From Sports' Forgotten Heroes by Warren Rogan
May 20, 2025 · 1h 3m · Episode 154
About this episode
This episode features a discussion about Roger Bresnahan, a pioneering MLB catcher known for his innovations and a miraculous survival story.
n the early 1900s Roger Bresnahan was one of MLB's best catchers. He played for the New York Giants (now San Francisco Giants) and later was player-manager for the St. Louis Cardinals. While with the Giants, Bresnahan was beaned. It was a very scary instance in which Bresnahan's last rites were read. However, he survived and came back. He ultimately developed a batting helmet, but never wore it in a game. Another piece of equipment Bresnahan introduced was shin guards. Yes, Roger Bresnahan was not only one of baseball's great catchers, he was an innovator too! Perhaps, though, one of his finest moments occurred off the field. During a trip from Philadelphia to Boston, while he was with St. Louis, the train the Cardinals were on derailed and fell down an embankment. Miraculously, none of the Cardinals' players were hurt. However, several on the train died as a result of the crash. Bresnahan and the Cardinals did all they could to help rescue people from the catastrophic incident. On this episode of Sports' Forgotten Heroes, author John R. Husman, "Roger Bresnahan: A Baseball Life," joins the show for a terrific discussion about this Hall of Fame catcher and the baseball life he led.
People in this episode
Guest: John R. Husman
Topics covered
- Roger Bresnahan
- MLB
- baseball innovation
- catchers
- train derailment
Keywords
- catcher
- New York Giants
- St. Louis Cardinals
- batting helmet
- shin guards
Mentioned in this episode
Products: batting helmet, shin guards
Books & works: Roger Bresnahan: A Baseball Life
Places: Philadelphia, Boston, St. Louis
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