Tommy Bond
In the eary days of the first organized professional baseball leagues, Tommy Bond was one of the most durable and innovative pitchers in the game. He is credited by some as being the first to master the curveball, which he may have learned early in his career from teammate Candy Cummings. As the main pitcher on the Boston Red Caps, the National League's first dominant team, Bond won 40 or more games three straight seasons. Unfortunately, his pitching career ended in 1884 at the age of 28, due to arm problems, but he earned acclaim as the coach of Harvard's baseball team and later entered politics in Boston. When Bond, who was born in Ireland, died in 1941, he was the last original member of the National League.
Played For
Brooklyn Atlantics, National Association (1874)
Hartford Dark Blues, National Association (1875)
Hartford Dark Blues (1876)
Boston Braves (1877-1881)
Worcester Ruby Legs, National League (1882)
Indianapolis Hoosiers, American Association (1884)
Managed
Worcester Ruby Legs, National League (1882)
Born
Thomas Henry Bond was born on April 2, 1856, in Granard
Died
January 24, 1941, Boston, MA
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: P
Primary Team: BSN
Major League Debut
May 5, 1874
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1874
Coming soon...
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1936 |
Veterans |
1 |
% |
|
The Pitches He Threw
According to his obituary, which was published in the New York Times, on January 26, 1941, Bond "broke into the National League with Hartford in 1876 and won fame with a 'cannon-ball' delivery. The following year he joined the Boston team and changed his delivery, relying more on control and knowledge of the weaknesses of the opposing batters."
Awards and Honors
1877 NL Triple Crown
Learn More about Tommy Bond
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