Wright of course is known for his baseball legacy way before the National League was formed, playing even before the National Association’s formation in 1871 as part of the legendary 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings, and even before that as an amateur baseball AND cricket player.
By the time the National League was formed he was manager more than player for the Boston club, with brother George as a star along with another brother, Sam seeing time on the squad as well to a lesser degree.
He was responsible for developing ideas such as player-shifting on the field and backing up fielders on throws, cementing his place in the very early-days of the games formation with techniques that are used to this very day.
Harry Wright was unique in that he was a respected leader of the new game from it’s pre-professional days through the National Association years into the Major League’s formation.
Truly a builder of the sport that would become “America’s Game”.
