Danny Richardson

Daniel Richardson

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 165 lb.

• Debut May 22, 1884
• Final Game September 24, 1894
• Born January 25, 1863 in Elmira, NY USA
• Died September 15, 1926 in New York, NY USA

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Biographical Information

"Those were glorious days for baseball in Gotham, with its having Johnny Ward and his marvelous base running; that peerless catcher and thrower, Buck Ewing; the mighty Roger Connor; the popular little hustler, Danny Richardson; the crafty Tim Keefe, and the others that brought glory to New York in those palmy days of yore." - Sporting Life's New York correspondent, reminiscing in the January 21, 1899 issue

Danny Richardson was a top defensive whiz during his 11 seasons in the majors, playing a variety of infield and outfield positions, as well as going 7-1 as a pitcher during his second season. Toward the end of his major league days he was involved in a couple of highly-publicized disputes as to where he would play.

Richardson was born in Elmira, NY in 1863. Several major leaguers have been born in Elmira, but through 2011 Danny and Kirt Manwaring are the only two who have appeared in over 1,000 major league games.

Danny broke into the majors at age 21 playing outfield (mostly right field) and shortstop. He was one of the youngest players on the New York Gothams in 1884, although Buck Ewing, at age 24, Monte Ward, also 24, Mickey Welch, 24, and Roger Connor, at age 26, weren't all that much older. Danny was the most-utilized backup player.

In his second year, Danny was given the opportunity to pitch nine games, on a staff which included Mickey Welch and Tim Keefe. Not surprisingly, although he went 7-1, his ERA wasn't as good as those two Hall of Famers. Danny also played third base and outfield.

He stayed with New York teams though 1891 (playing in the Players League in 1890, but still in New York), and he became primarily a second baseman, a position he didn't play at all in 1884 and 1885. In 1888 he appeared solely at second base. He was never all that strong a hitter, although sometimes his Adjusted OPS did rise over 100.

In 1892 there was a very publicized dispute about whether Richardson would stay in New York or go to Washington, but he ended up playing for the Washington Senators in 1892 after eight years in New York. He managed the Senators for part of that season. Then, his subsequent trade to the Brooklyn Grooms in 1893 also involved some publicized friction. Finally he closed out his major league career with the Louisville Colonels in 1894.

After baseball he was a member of a firm that ran a department store in Elmira.

Notable Achievements

• 100 RBI Seasons: 1 (1889)
• 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1890)

Related Sites

• Baseball History Daily article on Danny Richardson

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