| abstract | - He introduced the use of the catcher's shin guard in 1907 and was selected in 1945 to the Baseball Hall of Fame. During his career and for most of his life he claimed to have been born in Tralee, Ireland but admitted the truth (Toledo, Ohio) later in life. Born in Toledo, Ohio, he began his major league career as a pitcher, throwing a six-hit shutout on August 27, 1897. However, he eventually moved to catcher (although he could play all nine positions), and was labeled one of the best at that position by managers John McGraw and Branch Rickey. Despite taunts by other players, he experimented with head and thigh protection gear which had been introduced by some college teams, which included the first MLB batting helmet, and this led to the widespread use of more protection for catchers in the early 20th century. Bresnahan played for the Washington Senators (1897), Chicago Orphans/Cubs (1900, 1913-15), Baltimore Orioles (1901-02), New York Giants (1902-08), St. Louis Cardinals (1909-12), and the Cubs again (1913-1915). In 1430 games, he had a batting average of .279 in 4480 at-bats. His historic role is unquestioned, but his Hall of Fame credentials have been questioned since he caught 100 or more games in a season only once (in 1908). Bresnahan had managed the Cardinals while playing for them, and the Cubs in 1915. His overall record was 328-432. Bresnahan died of a heart attack at his home in Toledo at age 65, and was elected to the Hall of Fame the following year; decades later, Sabermetrician Bill James said it was an honor that Bresnahan did not deserve. Bresnahan was buried in Calvary (Roman Catholic) Cemetery in Toledo, Ohio.
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