The first catcher ever elected to the Hall of Fame, Buck Ewing was as complete a ballplayer as there was in the 19th century. A steady performer defensively and with the bat, he hit over .300 in 10 of his 15 full major league campaigns, compiling a .311 career average. His remarkable arm enabled him to throw out runners without rising from his crouch position behind the plate. Ewing captained the New York Giants to the club's first World Championships in 1888 and 1889.