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Roger Connor

Roger Connor (July 1, 1857 – January 4, 1931) was an American professional baseball first baseman who played 18 seasons in (MLB) from 1880 to 1897, primarily with the Troy Trojans, New York Gothams/Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and . Widely recognized as baseball's preeminent of the , Connor amassed 138 career home runs—a major league record that stood for 26 years until surpassed by in 1921—and earned the nickname "The Babe Ruth of the '80s" for his slugging prowess in an era dominated by small ball. Over his career, Connor compiled a .316 , 2,467 hits, 441 doubles, 233 , 1,323 runs batted in, and 244 stolen bases while playing in 1,998 games, establishing himself as one of the game's most durable and versatile stars. He led the () in with a .371 mark in 1885 and runs batted in once (1889), led the in home runs (14 in 1890), while also topping his league in on two occasions and once. His offensive dominance was complemented by solid defense at first base, where he posted a career fielding percentage of .979, and he remains the 19th-century leader in with 233. Connor's impact extended beyond statistics; he hit the first grand slam in NL history on September 10, 1881, and became the only player to hit for the cycle in the short-lived in 1890. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 220 pounds, his physical stature was exceptional for the time, and he played his entire career without ever being ejected from a game. Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976 as part of the Veterans Committee selection, Connor's legacy endures as a pioneer of power hitting who bridged the dead-ball era's early years and influenced the sport's evolution.

Early years

Birth and family background

Roger Connor was born on July 1, 1857, in , to Irish immigrant parents Murtagh Connor and Catharine Sullivan Connor. His mother had arrived in the United States from , , in 1845 amid the Great Famine, while his father emigrated from the same region in September 1852, just six weeks before their on November 8, 1852, in Waterbury. The family settled in Waterbury's burgeoning Catholic community, drawn by the city's industrial opportunities in brass manufacturing during the mid-19th century. As the third of 11 children—siblings including Hannah, , , , , , , , and —Connor grew up in a large working-class shaped by the challenges of immigrant life. His father, a laborer in Waterbury's brass factories, provided for the family until his unexpected death on September 23, 1874, at age 50, leaving Catharine to manage the and support the children through her own factory work. The family's socioeconomic conditions reflected the broader Irish-American experience in industrial Waterbury, where immigrants often faced low-wage labor in mills and factories amid rapid urbanization. Several of Connor's brothers, including (known as Joe Connor), later pursued semi-professional , mirroring the family's emerging ties to local sports culture. Connor's early environment exposed him to the demands of industrial labor from a young age; following his father's death, he began working in Waterbury's factories at 17 alongside his sisters to help sustain the family, contributing to the household amid the era's economic hardships for immigrants. This working-class upbringing in the brass mill hub of instilled resilience, setting the foundation for his later achievements while highlighting the era's immigrant struggles in post-famine America.

Introduction to baseball

Roger Connor's introduction to baseball occurred during his teenage years in Waterbury, Connecticut, where he played sandlot games while working in the local brass mills to support his family. Despite initial parental disapproval that sometimes resulted in physical punishment for prioritizing the sport over labor, Connor's passion for baseball persisted, drawing him into informal matches with local youths. At age 18 in 1876, Connor made his semi-professional debut with the Waterbury Monitors, a local club in Connecticut's emerging scene, where he primarily played as a and . His performances there showcased his athletic potential, though detailed statistics from this period are scarce due to incomplete records. Connor's progression through the accelerated in 1877 and 1878, as he joined teams such as the New Haven Elm Citys before moving to the Holyoke club in the International Association midway through 1878, shifting from duties to third base. In 1879, serving as field captain for Holyoke, he demonstrated strong batting prowess with a .367 , accumulating 77 hits in 45 games, which highlighted his ability to hit for power and well above .300 in early play. During these years, Connor began experimenting with switch-hitting and infield positions, laying the groundwork for his later specialization at first base. His standout play in Holyoke caught the attention of Bob Ferguson, who recommended the young slugger to Troy Trojans owner John B. Day, resulting in professional contract offers that propelled Connor toward Major League Baseball.

Professional playing career

Major League debut and Troy years (1880–1882)

Roger Connor made his Major League Baseball debut on May 1, 1880, for the Troy Trojans of the National League, initially playing third base in a lineup that included fellow rookie catcher Buck Ewing. Under player-manager Bob Ferguson, known as "Death to Flying Things" for his defensive prowess, the Trojans assembled a competitive roster featuring emerging talents like first baseman Dan Brouthers and pitcher Mickey Welch, though the franchise grappled with ongoing financial instability that limited its long-term viability. In his rookie campaign, Connor appeared in all 83 games, posting a .332 batting average with 113 hits, 3 home runs, and 47 RBIs, ranking third in the league in average while showcasing early power potential in an era dominated by contact hitting. The team finished fourth in the eight-team National League with a 41-42 record, 25.5 games behind the champion Chicago White Stockings, marking Troy's most successful season before mounting economic pressures began to erode operations. The following year, 1881, brought a positional adjustment for Connor after he committed 60 errors at third base the prior season, prompting a full-time shift to first base where his sure hands and 6-foot-3 frame proved more suited to the demands of the position. Batting .292 with 107 hits and 2 home runs in 85 games, he provided steady production amid Troy's decline to a 35-46 record and seventh-place finish. A career highlight came on September 10 at Haymakers' Grounds in Troy, when Connor etched his name in baseball history by hitting the Major Leagues' first grand slam—a two-out, bases-loaded home run off Worcester Ruby Legs pitcher Lee Richmond in the bottom of the ninth. Trailing 7-5 at the time, the drive cleared the right-field fence for an 8-7 walk-off victory, a dramatic feat that underscored his clutch ability and power against the era's dead-ball conditions. By 1882, Connor's adaptation to first base solidified, as he batted .330 with 115 hits, 4 home runs, and a league-leading 18 in 81 games, demonstrating improved extra-base production despite a nagging shoulder injury that limited his appearances. His climbed to .530, reflecting growing power that helped anchor an offense featuring Ewing and Welch, though the Trojans again languished in seventh place with a 35-48 mark amid the franchise's deepening financial woes. These Troy years established Connor as a rising star, blending contact skills with emerging in a team environment marked by talent but hampered by instability, setting the stage for his evolution into one of baseball's premier hitters.

New York Giants era (1885–1889)

Connor joined the New York Gothams, later renamed the Giants, in 1883 when manager Jim Mutrie acquired him from the Troy Trojans to bolster the team's lineup with a proven power hitter. In 1883, he batted .357 with 146 hits, 28 doubles, 15 triples, and a .506 slugging percentage in 98 games. The following year, 1884, Connor appeared in all 116 games, batting .317 with 82 RBIs while helping the Gothams improve to third place in the National League. Although he contributed immediately, Connor's emergence as a dominant force and team leader solidified during the 1885 season under Mutrie's guidance, as the club transitioned into a perennial contender at the Polo Grounds. His consistent production at the plate and defensive prowess at first base became central to the Giants' identity, earning the team its enduring "Giants" moniker in reference to his imposing 6-foot-3 frame and slugging ability. In 1885, Connor captured the National League batting title with a .371 average, leading the circuit in hits (169) and total bases (225) while ranking second in triples (15), marking his breakout as baseball's premier slugger. Defensively, he posted a .975 fielding percentage at first base, showcasing a strong arm that deterred runners and anchored the infield. The Giants finished second in the NL with an 85-27 record, just two games behind Chicago, with Connor's offensive leadership helping drive their potent attack. The following year, 1886, he maintained elite form with a .355 average and a league-leading 20 triples, contributing to a third-place finish at 75-44-5 despite the team's slight dip. Connor's 1887 campaign highlighted his power surge, belting a career-high 17 home runs—second in the —while leading first basemen with a .993 , demonstrating his reliability in turning double plays and handling tough throws. Though his dipped to .285 amid a league-wide offensive decline, he ranked second in RBIs (104) and remained a steady presence for the fourth-place Giants (68-55-6). By 1888, Connor rebounded to help propel the team to the NL pennant with an 84-47-7 record, batting .291 regularly and .303 in the postseason victory over the (6-4), where his timely hitting supported the club's championship run. The pinnacle came in 1889, as Connor paced the NL in RBIs (130) and slugging percentage (.528), batting .317 and providing clutch production in the Giants' repeat pennant (83-43-5) and triumph over the Bridegrooms (6-3), where he hit .343 with 12 RBIs. Throughout these years, his ambidextrous tendencies showed early signs, with reports noting occasional right-handed swings in practice, though he primarily batted left-handed until formal switch-hitting adoption later in his career. Connor's blend of offensive firepower, base-running speed (averaging over 20 steals annually), and defensive excellence at first base made him indispensable, fostering team cohesion and establishing the Giants as a dynasty in the late .

Players' League and Philadelphia stint (1890–1891)

In 1890, Roger Connor joined the newly formed as a key figure in the of Professional Base Ball Players' effort to challenge the National League's monopoly and the restrictive that limited player mobility and salaries. Led by , the league represented a player-driven union initiative, with Connor signing on early as for the New York Giants franchise and actively advocating for the cause by encouraging hesitant teammates to commit. Playing at Brotherhood Park in , he delivered a standout performance, batting .349 while leading the league in home runs with 14, at .548, at .998, and fielding percentage at first base with .985, alongside 22 stolen bases in 123 games. This effort earned him a salary of $3,500, significantly higher than the National League's $2,400 cap, underscoring the 's aim to empower athletes amid escalating salary disputes. The collapsed after just one season due to severe financial losses exceeding $1 million, as initial capitalist backers withdrew support and aligned with magnates like A.G. Spalding in negotiations that voided player contracts and forced a return to the established league structure. This failure intensified labor tensions, reimposing the and leading to widespread salary reductions across baseball, but it highlighted Connor's commitment to player advocacy during the brief experiment in . Following the dissolution, Connor returned to the and signed with the Phillies (formerly known as the ) for the 1891 season, adapting to the post-league turmoil as teams reintegrated talent from the defunct circuit. With the Phillies, Connor posted a .290 and 7 home runs in 139 games, contributing steadily at first base despite the team's middling 64-67 record and fifth-place finish in the , amid broader roster adjustments from the league wars. His salary dropped to $3,000, reflecting the era's punitive wage cuts on former participants, yet his versatility and experience helped stabilize the lineup during a period of instability following the American Association's contraction.

Final Major League seasons (1892–1897)

In 1892, Connor joined the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League after the American Association was absorbed into the NL, appearing in all 155 games as the team's first baseman and posting a .294 batting average with 12 home runs and 73 RBIs. He led the league in doubles with 37 and ranked second in home runs, while also excelling defensively with a .985 fielding percentage that topped NL first basemen. However, contract disputes arose when Connor rejected a $1,800 offer from the Phillies, leading to his trade to the New York Giants on March 11, 1893, in exchange for catcher Jack Boyle, infielder Jack Sharrott, and cash. With the Giants in 1893, Connor played every one of the team's 135 games, batting .305 with 11 home runs and a league-high 105 RBIs, contributing to a fifth-place finish 19½ games behind the pennant-winning Beaneaters. His performance remained strong in 1894, but after batting .293 in 22 games with , he was benched amid reports of declining speed and was released on June 1 before signing with the , where he hit .321 over 99 games with 8 home runs and 93 RBIs overall for the season. The Browns finished eighth in the 12-team , and Connor stayed with the club through his final years, providing veteran stability at first base despite the team's consistent struggles in the standings. Connor's production held up in 1895 with the Browns, where he batted .327 in 104 games with 8 s and 78 RBIs, though he took a midseason hiatus from 20 to August 30, as the team ended 11th with a 39-92 record. In 1896, at age 38, he assumed a player-manager role for 46 games, compiling an 8-37 record (.178 ) before resigning in , while still contributing offensively with a .284 average, 11 s, and 72 RBIs in 126 games; he again led first basemen in fielding at .986. His final season in 1897 saw a sharp decline, batting just .229 in 22 games with 1 and 12 RBIs before being benched for subpar fielding and released, prompting his retirement from at age 39 amid mounting physical challenges and the era's evolving demands on players.

Playing style and achievements

Batting prowess and records

Roger Connor established himself as one of the 19th century's most formidable hitters, posting a career slash line of .316/.397/.486 across 1,998 games played from 1880 to 1897. In that span, he collected 2,467 hits, including 441 doubles and 233 triples, while driving in 1,323 runs and crossing the plate 1,620 times. Connor's most enduring mark came in power hitting, where his 138 home runs set the major league career record upon surpassing Harry Stovey's total in 1895; this mark held until Babe Ruth broke it in 1921. He led his league in home runs once, in 1890 with 14 in the Players' League, and reached double figures in the category seven times—a 19th-century record. Beyond home runs, Connor's offensive dominance showed in multiple league-leading performances, including the 1885 National League batting title at .371, along with tops in hits (1885), doubles (1892), triples (1882 and 1886), RBI (1889), on-base percentage (1885), and total bases (1885). Connor's slugging stood out in the , when home runs were scarce due to heavier balls, underhand pitching, and larger outfields, though 19th-century parks often had shorter dimensions that slightly aided power hitters. His prowess included hitting baseball's first recognized on September 10, 1881, a feat so rare it helped define the era's offensive challenges.

Fielding and base running

Connor established himself as one of the premier defensive first basemen of the 19th century, renowned for his quick reflexes and powerful throwing arm that minimized errors and maximized range. His career fielding percentage of .978 at first base surpassed the era's average, reflecting his reliability in handling grounders and line drives across the infield. He led his league in fielding percentage four times—at .993 in 1887 (NL), .985 in 1890 (PL) and 1892 (NL), and .988 in 1896 (NL)—while also topping the league in putouts on several occasions, with seasonal highs around 1,400. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing around 220 pounds, Connor's exceptional height provided an unparalleled reach, allowing him to stretch for errant throws and scoop low tosses that shorter players could not, a trait that inspired the modern "stretch" technique at first base. On the basepaths, Connor demonstrated remarkable intelligence and speed for a man of his size, amassing 233 career —fifth-most all-time—and 244 stolen bases, figures that underscored his aggressive style and ability to take extra bases. He led the in triples twice between 1882 and 1886, often converting doubles into triples through daring advances on and strategic leads off the bases. His base-running prowess was not merely athletic but tactical; contemporaries praised his knack for reading pitchers and exploiting gaps, contributing to a rare power-speed combination that made him a threat in multiple facets of the game. As a confirmed switch-hitter—verified in through archival evidence from The Sporting Life showing right-handed swings alongside his primary left-handed stance—Connor gained matchup advantages against pitchers, enhancing his versatility without altering statistical records.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Roger Connor married Angeline Mayer, the daughter of immigrants and Apoline Mayer, in September 1881 after meeting her while she worked at a in . The couple enjoyed a devoted partnership that lasted nearly 47 years, until Angeline's death from a heart attack on March 17, 1928, at approximately age 67. Their family faced early tragedy with the birth of a daughter, Lulu, in September 1886, who succumbed to just before her first birthday in September 1887. This profound loss, compounded by the earlier death of Connor's father, , in 1874 when Roger was 17, tested the family's resilience, as Connor assumed a provider role for his siblings and later his own household through his earnings. In response to their grief, the Connors adopted an orphan girl named (born June 21, 1888) from a Catholic in in 1890, raising her as their daughter; she later married James Colwell in 1907 and had five children. Throughout Connor's extensive travels as a professional player, Angeline managed their home, providing stability for the family unit rooted in , where Connor's Irish immigrant heritage strengthened their close-knit ties.

Life in Waterbury

Connor remained deeply rooted in his hometown of , where he was born on July 1, 1857, and spent his entire life as a resident, ultimately dying there on January 4, 1931. After his playing career ended, he returned to Waterbury and owned a home with his wife Angeline, which anchored their family life in the community. His economic status reflected prudent management of career earnings through investments in and other ventures, enabling a comfortable middle-class existence in Waterbury for many years; however, the 1920s Florida land boom collapse and a 1926 hurricane eroded these holdings, forcing the sale of his home and a move in with his daughter's family. As a son of immigrants, Connor demonstrated strong hometown loyalty by maintaining property ownership and engaging in local affairs, including support for the Connecticut State League against external takeovers in the late . Connor played an active role in Waterbury's community, rooted in his devout Catholic faith; he regularly attended St. Margaret's Church, the parish associated with his family, where his funeral Mass was later celebrated. Known for his and quiet, kind demeanor despite his fame as a , he eschewed ostentation and embodied a modest . He also contributed to community life through informal youth mentoring, remaining a local hero long after retirement; children would halt in the streets, standing in respectful attention as he passed in his horse and buggy, often approaching him to learn how to swing a .

Post-playing career

Minor league management

Following his final season with the in 1897, Roger Connor joined the Fall River Indians of the Class B League as -manager, appearing in 47 games and batting .287. Connor then returned to Waterbury, Connecticut, where he assumed ownership and served as player-manager for the local club in the Class F Connecticut State League starting in 1898. In 1898, Connor guided the Waterbury Pirates to a first-place finish and the league pennant with a 55-38 record, while contributing as a player at first base. He retained the managerial role with the renamed Waterbury Rough Riders from 1899 to 1901, though the team's performance varied: second place in 1899 (52-43 record), followed by sixth-place finishes in both 1900 (43-53) and 1901 (47-60). During this period, Connor remained active on the field, posting a league-leading .392 in 1899 and aiding player development by recruiting Louis Sockalexis, a former talent, to the roster that year. In 1901, he finished the season with the New Haven team in the Connecticut State League, batting .299 across 107 games for both clubs. Connor's approach to emphasized practical fundamentals and administrative responsibilities, such as scheduling games and recruits, fostering a team environment rooted in his local connections. In July 1901, he sold his Waterbury franchise and acquired the Springfield Ponies, which he managed in the Class D League in 1902 (65-45 record, second place) and the Class D Connecticut Valley League in 1903 (41-64 record, seventh place). By 1902, age and accumulated injuries had curtailed Connor's playing involvement; he focused increasingly on coaching duties, appearing in 62 games in 1902 with a .259 batting average and 75 games in 1903 with a .272 average before retiring from management after selling the Springfield club at season's end.

Retirement and later employment

After retiring from professional baseball management in 1903 at the age of 46, following the sale of his interest in the minor league Springfield Ponies, Roger Connor had no further involvement in organized professional baseball, though he played intermittently for local teams in Waterbury until suffering an injury in 1910. He returned to his hometown of Waterbury, Connecticut, where he transitioned to civilian employment, marking a complete departure from his athletic career. In 1914, Connor was appointed school attendance officer—also known as inspector of schools—for the Waterbury system, a role he held into the . This position entailed enforcing student attendance, supervising janitorial staff, and overseeing the maintenance of buildings, providing him with steady work that supplemented his income from earlier investments. By the , his duties extended to aspects of within the , contributing to his employment stability through 1930. Connor's financial situation remained modest but was impacted by losses from investments in during the 1920s, affected by the and the 1926 hurricane; however, his government salary helped him avoid poverty. He enjoyed a quieter daily life centered on family, spending time with his daughter and five grandchildren, while participating in local community events in Waterbury. Occasionally, he offered insights on for local newspapers, drawing on his expertise as a former star.

Death and legacy

Final years and death

In his final years, Roger Connor faced significant health challenges after retiring to , where he had long resided. Diagnosed with in 1929, he underwent surgery to remove his voice box, which left him unable to speak. Late in 1930, he had prostate surgery and became , succumbing to and chronic heart disease on January 4, 1931, at his home at the age of 73. His death was mourned locally, with his obituary in hailing him as the "Babe Ruth of the 1880s," a testament to his stature as a pioneering . At his bedside were his adopted daughter, Cecilia Connor Colwell, and other family members, including siblings Mary Connor Slattery, Joseph, and Matthew; his wife, Angeline, had predeceased him in 1925. A Mass was held at St. Margaret's Church in Waterbury, after which Connor was interred in an at Old St. Joseph's Cemetery beside his wife. The grave remained unmarked for decades until 2001, when a community effort led by local enthusiasts erected a to honor Waterbury's hometown hero.

Hall of Fame induction and recognition

Connor was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976 by the Veterans Committee, which recognized his status as the pre-Babe Ruth career leader with 138 homers and his exceptional all-around play as a , including elite fielding and base-running skills. His induction highlighted his role as one of the 19th century's premier sluggers, with a career of .316 and 2,467 hits over 18 seasons. In 2017, new historical research confirmed Connor as a switch-hitter, enhancing his legacy by placing him among only 19 Hall of Famers officially listed as such, a distinction that underscores his adaptability and power from both sides of the plate. (SABR) analysis has further reevaluated his achievements, such as his first major league on September 10, 1881—a rare, game-winning inside-the-park hit off the Worcester Ruby Legs—emphasizing its significance in an era of limited power output. Connor's cultural impact endures through biographical works like Roy Kerr's 2011 book Roger Connor: Home Run King of 19th Century Baseball, which details his pioneering role in the sport. He is frequently compared to as the original power-hitting trailblazer, having held the all-time record from 1895 until surpassed it in 1921. Statistically, advanced metrics like rank him highly among 19th-century players, with a score of 65.6 that places him fifth all-time among first basemen and inspires ongoing analysis of hitting dynamics.

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