Giants Catcher Roger Bresnahan Wears First Shin Guards

Catchers gear, such as shin guards, a chest protector and a mask, are an important part of the position, but that was not always the case. In fact, it was not until this day in 1907 that shin protectors would be worn, debuted by New York Giants catcher Roger Bresnahan.

The image of a major league catcher is pretty uniform. They are covered in padding and wearing a mask, resembling a hockey goalie more than any other player on the diamond. Considering the plethora of foul tips, balls in the dirt and other assorted nicks and bruises they acquire over the season, it is difficult to imagine someone playing the position without any protection.

However, during the early days of baseball, that was the case. Catchers would be in that familiar position behind the plate, leaving themselves exposed to the vagrancies of those foul tips and wayward pitches. That is, until New York Giants catcher Roger Bresnahan began to protect himself, using the first shin guards on this day in 1907.

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Instead of the fancy shin guards that catchers use in modern times, these were nothing more than some modified cricket gear. As strange as it may have seemed at the time, those shin guards proved their use almost immediately, as Bresnahan was protected from a foul tip in the fifth inning due to the protection he had in place.

Naturally, having seen the success and usefulness of these guards, other catchers began wearing them. Suddenly, those foul tips and balls in the dirt were not quite as hazardous as they had been, allowing catchers to remain healthier and be far more productive.

This was also not the only piece of protective equipment that Bresnahan created. After being hit in the head the following year, he created a leather batting helmet, one of the first of its kind. The first catcher in the Baseball Hall of Fame, Bresnahan was a pioneer in regards to player safety and protection.

Next: Jackie Robinson signs first major league contract

Catchers may resemble armored tanks these days, but that was not always the case. If not for the foresight of Roger Bresnahan, who knows how long it would have taken for someone to create catcher’s gear as we know it.