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McPhee, Bid

John Alexander McPhee
Born: November 1, 1859, Massena, New York
Died: January 3, 1943, San Diego, California
Bats: 
Right
Throws: 
Right
Played For: 
Cincinnati Red Stockings (1882-1889), Cincinnati Reds (1890-1899)
Elected to the Hall of Fame by Veterans Committee: 2000
Biography: 

Bid McPhee was an adept leadoff man and superior second baseman, despite playing barehanded for the majority of his 18-year big league career. The last second baseman to play gloveless in the field, he regularly led the league in double plays, fielding average, assists and putouts. Playing his entire career in Cincinnati, McPhee batted .300 or better on four occasions and topped the 100-run mark 10 times en route to a .281 career batting average.

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Did You Know: 
that Bid McPhee, who did not wear a fielder's glove until late in his baseball career, toughened up the skin on his hands by soaking them in salt water?
He was the outstanding player of his time at his position, certainly comparable to Bill Mazeroski. He was breaking records barehanded and when he put on a glove, he set a standard so high that it wasn't broken until 30 years later.
Ralph Moses