Doc Bushong
Encyclopedia
Albert John "Doc" Bushong (September 15, 1856 – August 19, 1908) was a catcher
in Major League Baseball
.
Bushong bounced around various professional leagues from 1875 to 1891. His greatest success came with the 1885-1886 St. Louis Browns
, for which he was the starting catcher for two league champions.
In the latter part of his career, he played on five pennant winners and was in post-season play five times, perhaps most notably when his 1886 St. Louis Browns
of the American Association
beat the Chicago White Stockings
of the National League
. Prior to the 1888 season, Bushong was involved in a notable transaction, as Brooklyn owner Charlie Byrne
purchased him, pitcher "Parisian Bob" Caruthers
, and first baseman/outfielder/pitcher Dave Foutz
from the St. Louis Browns
for the then-enormous sum of $19,000.
Bushong was the first player from the University of Pennsylvania
to play in the major leagues. He did not play baseball at the university but did earn a degree in dentistry
; after his baseball career ended, he was a practicing dentist. At the time of his death, he was residing in Brooklyn, New York, at 442 Ninth Street.
The town of Bushong, Kansas
was named in his honor.
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Bushong bounced around various professional leagues from 1875 to 1891. His greatest success came with the 1885-1886 St. Louis Browns
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, for which he was the starting catcher for two league champions.
In the latter part of his career, he played on five pennant winners and was in post-season play five times, perhaps most notably when his 1886 St. Louis Browns
1886 St. Louis Browns season
The St. Louis Browns season was the team's 5th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 5th season in the American Association. The Browns went 93-46 during the season and finished first in the American Association, winning their second pennant in a row. In the World Series the Browns played the...
of the American Association
American Association (19th century)
The American Association was a Major League Baseball league that existed for 10 seasons from to . During that time, it challenged the National League for dominance of professional baseball...
beat the Chicago White Stockings
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
of the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
. Prior to the 1888 season, Bushong was involved in a notable transaction, as Brooklyn owner Charlie Byrne
Charlie Byrne (baseball)
Charles H. Byrne was a New York realtor who was one of the original founders of the team that became the Brooklyn Dodgers....
purchased him, pitcher "Parisian Bob" Caruthers
Bob Caruthers
Robert Lee Caruthers , nicknamed "Parisian Bob," was an American right-handed pitcher and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the St. Louis Browns and Brooklyn Bridegrooms...
, and first baseman/outfielder/pitcher Dave Foutz
Dave Foutz
David Luther Foutz was a pitcher for the Saint Louis Browns of the American Association and the Brooklyn Bridegrooms of the National League from to , compiling a 147-66 career record. He also played first base and the outfield...
from the St. Louis Browns
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for the then-enormous sum of $19,000.
Bushong was the first player from the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
to play in the major leagues. He did not play baseball at the university but did earn a degree in dentistry
Dentistry
Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...
; after his baseball career ended, he was a practicing dentist. At the time of his death, he was residing in Brooklyn, New York, at 442 Ninth Street.
The town of Bushong, Kansas
Bushong, Kansas
Bushong is a city in Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 34. It is part of the Emporia Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Bushong is located at...
was named in his honor.