John Clapp, Famous Baseball Expert

In this issue we publish the portrait of (John Clapp)...noted base ball expert, who is known to all lovers of field sports over the country. He was born at Ithaca, N.Y., July 15, 1851. He began his career on the diamond field in 1867, when he was a member of the Falls City club. In 1868 and 1869 he was a member of the Independent club of Mansfield, Ohio, and made for himself quite a name. During 1870 Clapp gained great fame playing with the famous Amateurs of Owego, N.Y., and in the following year he joined the Clippers of Ilion, N.Y. He was engaged by the Mansfield club of Middleton, Conn., in 1872 and made a capital record. In 1873 he joined the famous Athletic club of Philadelphia and filed the position of catcher during 1873, '74, and '75.

At the time the Athletics made the trip to Europe with the Boston club Clapp accompanied them and surprised the admirers of the game by his wonderful catching ability during the tour through England. The St. Louis club, knowing Clapp's forte, engaged him as catcher during the Centennial year and paid him...the highest salary ever paid a catcher in this country. In 1877 Clapp's great ability made the St. Louis club re-engage him. In 1878 at a large salary he accepted the management of the Indianapolis base ball club of Indianapolis, Indiana, and ably managed the nine for that season. He was selected to manage the Buffalo club in 1879 and also filled the position of catcher. After the season closed he went to San Francisco, Cal., with the Cincinnati club and gave such great satisfaction that he was re-engaged by the Cincinnatis during 1880.

In 1881 we find the famous base ball expert captain of the nine of the Cleveland club of Ohio, in which club he also filled the position of catcher. In 1882 he joined the Metropolitan base ball club of New York, whose wonderful record has raised base ball in the metropolis from the Slough of Despond where it sank years ago. Clapp is without doubt the best catcher in the base ball profession and he is a great favorite both with his associates players and the public. He always has his wits about him and displays great judgment behind the bat...

-The National Police Gazette, October 14, 1882