Tom Kinslow

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Tom Kinslow
Runs batted in
222
Teams

Thomas F. Kinslow (January 12, 1866 – February 22, 1901) was a professional

Brooklyn Bridegrooms of the National League (NL). During his playing days, his height was listed at 5-foot-10-inch (1.78 m), his weight as 160-pound (73 kg), he batted and threw right-handed, and had blonde hair.[1]

He was a member of the Washington Light Infantry, a local Washington, D.C. militia, and played in many of their amateur baseball games throughout his life. When not playing, he tended to his bar. Noted for being a genial, friendly individual, he was quick to make friends, and was a fan-favorite in his hometown of Washington, D.C. Kinslow was a heavy drinker however, which caused him to miss games and team movements on occasion. Late into his career, these alcohol issues were much less tolerated, eventually hastening his exit from the game. He died at the age of 35, after a year-long battle with tuberculosis.

Early life

Thomas Kinslow was born on January 12, 1866 in Washington, D.C.;[2] his father Michael worked as a laborer and an ice dealer,[3][4] later working in the oyster business.[5] He began playing amateur baseball in the city's first ward on a team known as the "Quicks",[6] as well as a team named the Falcons.[7][8] He later became a member of the Washington Light Infantry, Company C,[9] a local militia, and played as their catcher against the 5th Maryland Regiment on June 29, 1885; a game won by Washington 11–7.[10]

Baseball career

Early career

Kinslow made his MLB debut with the

Washington Nationals of the NL on June 4, 1886 as their starting catcher.[2][11] He injured his finger in the third inning trying to catch a bad pitch thrown by Bob Barr, and had to leave the game.[11] On June 15, he was again injured by a Barr pitch, and forced to leave the game with a dislocated finger.[12] He played in three games for the Nationals in 1886, collecting two hits in eight at bats.[2]

In 1887, he was signed by the

American Association (AA) also claimed they had a deal in place for these players.[15] On September 6, an arbitration board for the NL and AA leagues convened to render their findings. They found that Detroit's contract with the players was dated on July 20, which superseded Cincinnati's contract that was signed on July 27, and awarded Detroit the players.[16] Detroit then sold their contracts with the players to the London Tecumsehs of the International Association.[6] Though he did not play for London in 1887, he did play in two games for the New York Metropolitans of the AA, going hitless in eight at bats.[2][13]

Brooklyn

Kinslow played the next two seasons for the Tecumsehs, and had a

Buffalo Bisons, the only time Kinslow would achieve this feat.[18]

The PL folded following the 1890 season, and Kinslow stayed in Brooklyn by signing with the

Brooklyn Bridegrooms of the NL. He followed John Montgomery Ward, who was hired as team's new manager.[19][20] Shortly afterwards, Kinslow's services were kept exclusive as the team listed him among those players covered under the reserve clause.[21] During the game on July 8, Kinslow was benched by Ward for what was described as insubordination.[22] Kinslow played in 61 games for Brooklyn in 1891, being platooned primarily at catcher with Con Daily, and had a .237 batting average.[23]

In 1892, he continued to platoon with Daily and played in 66 games. He improved his batting average to .305, and hit two home runs.[24] With a third catcher, Tom Daly, no longer with the team in 1893, Kinslow's playing time increased slightly to 78 games. His batting average dropped to .244, but he tied his career-high with four home runs.[25] Although he was a popular player during his time in Brooklyn,[26] Kinslow had caused trouble with the team at some point in the season, and had been restricted from playing in home games by owner Charles Byrne.[27] Upon signing his contract with Brooklyn in 1894, Kinslow wrote a letter to the owner apologizing for his conduct during the previous season, and vowed to improve significantly going forward.[28] His batting average improved to .305 during the 1894 season while playing in 62 games, sharing time with Daily once again.[29]

Late career

On January 26, 1895, Kinslow was traded by Brooklyn to the

Washington Senators, he claimed that he wanted to take the remainder the year off to be ready for the next season.[35][36]

During the off-season, Kinslow tended to the

St. Louis Browns on August 18. He played in an additional 14 games for St. Louis, and was released from the team at the conclusion of the season.[2][42] In his 380 career games played, he had a .266 batting average, 12 home runs, and 222 runs batted in.[2]

Personal life

Kinslow was known to have a genial, sunny disposition, and was quick to make friends.

1900 United States Census, he was living with his father and working as an oyster dealer. He is listed as being married for ten years, but his wife was not living in the same home.[43] He died in his hometown of Washington, D.C. after a year-long battle with consumption (tuberculosis),[6] and is interred at Congressional Cemetery.[2]

References

  1. The Austin Weekly Statesman
    . August 25, 1887.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Tom Kinslow". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  3. ^ "1870 United States Federal Census about Thomas Kinslow". ancestry.com. Ancestry.com. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  4. ^ "1880 United States Federal Census about Thomas Kinslow". ancestry.com. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  5. ^ "Thos. F. Kinslow". Evening Star. March 6, 1893.
  6. ^
    Evening Star (Washington D.C.)
    . February 22, 1901.
  7. ^ "1885 London Cockneys". Baseball-Reference.com.com. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  8. ^ "The Season Opened". The Evening Critic. Washington, D.C. May 1, 1885.
  9. ^ "The Roster". Evening Star. August 15, 1885.
  10. ^ "Baseball". The Washington Critic. Washington, D.C. June 30, 1885.
  11. ^ a b "Notes". Evening Star. June 5, 1886.
  12. ^ "The Ball Players". Evening Star. June 16, 1886.
  13. ^ a b c "Tom Kinslow (minors)". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  14. St. Paul Daily Globe
    . July 28, 1887.
  15. ^ "Sporting News". Daily Evening Bulletin. Maysville. Kentucky. August 23, 1887.
  16. ^ "Detroit Gets There". St. Paul Daily Globe. September 7, 1887.
  17. ^ "The 1890 Brooklyn Wonders Regular Season Roster". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  18. ^ a b "Tom Kinslow Career Home Runs". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  19. ^ "Getting Ready For Business". Evening Star. February 4, 1891.
  20. ^ "Monte Ward". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  21. ^ "The Reserved Players". Pittsburgh Dispatch. February 15, 1891.
  22. ^ "News of the Sporting World". The Roanoke Times. July 9, 1891.
  23. ^ "The 1891 Brooklyn Bridegrooms Regular Season Roster". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  24. ^ "The 1892 Brooklyn Bridegrooms Regular Season Roster". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  25. ^ "The 1893 Brooklyn Bridegrooms Regular Season Roster". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  26. ISBN 9780786417278
    .
  27. The Sun (New York)
    . October 15, 1893.
  28. ^ "Opening The Base Ball Season". Evening Star. February 26, 1894.
  29. ^ "The 1894 Brooklyn Bridegrooms Regular Season Roster". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  30. ^ "Dispute Over Tom Kinslow". Evening Star. January 30, 1895.
  31. ^ "The 1895 Pittsburgh Pirates Regular Season Roster". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  32. ^
    ISBN 9780803209909
    .
  33. ^ "Eagle Baseball Notes". The Wichita Daily Eagle. September 15, 1895.
  34. Wichita Daily Eagle
    . July 5, 1895.
  35. ^ "Base Ball Notes". Evening Star. August 19, 1895.
  36. The Evening Times (Washington, D.C.)
    . August 24, 1895.
  37. ^ a b "Tom Kinslow Is Lively". The Red Cloud Chief. Red Cloud, Nebraska. October 14, 1898.
  38. ^
    The Morning Times (Washington, D.C.)
    . May 21, 1896.
  39. ^ "Game Today". The Morning Times. April 9, 1896.
  40. ^ "Base Ball Notes". Evening Star. April 7, 1896.
  41. ^ "Diamond Dust". The Morning Times. May 22, 1896.
  42. The Times (Washington, D.C.)
    . October 3, 1898.
  43. ^ "1900 United States Federal Census about Thomas Kinslow". ancestry.com. Retrieved August 25, 2013.

External links

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