- Hall of Famers
- The Members
- Hall of Fame Weekend
- Rules for Election
- Membership Spokesman
- Museum
- Experience
- Exhibits
- Library
- Artifacts
- Awards
- Activities
- Plan Your Visit
- Entering the Hall
- Cooperstown
- Events
- Special Experiences
- Offers
- News & Media
- Headlines
- Features
- Hall Directory
- Connections
- Education
- Public Programs
- School Programs
- Internship Program
Home › Hall of Famers ›
Cartwright, Alexander
Alexander Joy Cartwright Jr.
Born:
April 17, 1820, New York, New York
Died:
July 12, 1892, Honolulu, Hawaii
Elected to the Hall of Fame by Veterans Committee:
1938
Biography:
Alexander Cartwright is often referred to as The Father of Modern baseball. Though the appellation may be an overstatement, Cartwright was a founding and influential member of the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club of New York City, baseball's first organized club. Cartwright likely played a key role in formalizing the first published rules of the game, including the concept of foul territory, the distance between bases, three-out innings, and the elimination of retiring baserunners by throwing batted baseballs at them.
Click here to see additional information provided by Baseball-Reference
Did You Know:
that Alexander Cartwright left New York in 1849 and eventually settled in Hawaii where he became fire chief of Honolulu during the 1850s?
The game that he left in the East as his legacy to the nation became a pastime that enriched its followers beyond his wildest dreams.
Lee Allen
Photo Galleries
Video Clips
This Day in Baseball History
On May 22, 1933, Joe Sewell of the New York Yankees strikes out for the first time on the season. The future Hall of Famer and contact hitter extraordinaire will strike out only four times all season long.


