Jim Tyng
Encyclopedia
James Alexander "Jim" Tyng was the first baseball player to wear a catcher's
mask while playing for Harvard in 1877. The team manager, Fred Thayer received a patent for the mask in 1878. In 1879, Tyng was picked up by Harry Wright
and the Boston Red Caps as an emergency pitcher. Tyng defeated the first-place Providence Grays
to draw the Red Caps within 2 games of the Grays. It was the only victory of Tyng's career. Later, in 1888, he played one game for the Philadelphia Phillies
.
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...
mask while playing for Harvard in 1877. The team manager, Fred Thayer received a patent for the mask in 1878. In 1879, Tyng was picked up by Harry Wright
Harry Wright
William Henry "Harry" Wright was an English-born American professional baseball player, manager, and developer. He assembled, managed, and played center field for baseball's first fully professional team, the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings...
and the Boston Red Caps as an emergency pitcher. Tyng defeated the first-place Providence Grays
Providence Grays
The Providence Grays were a Major League Baseball team based in Providence, Rhode Island who played in the National League from until . The Grays played at Messer Field in the Olneyville neighborhood. The team won the National League title twice, in and...
to draw the Red Caps within 2 games of the Grays. It was the only victory of Tyng's career. Later, in 1888, he played one game for the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.