Dave Bresnahan

David Joseph Bresnahan

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 180 lb.

• Born December 29, 1961 in Phoenix, AZ USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Dave Bresnahan is the great nephew of Roger Bresnahan. Although he never reached the majors, he is known for a practical joke he played on August 31, 1987, when he threw a potato wildly to the third baseman in order to decoy baserunner Rick Lundblade, and then tagged him with the actual ball when he tried to score on the play. This was in an Eastern League game between the Williamsport Bills and Reading Phillies. However, the powers that be failed to see the humor in the situation, as the umpire, Scott Potter, ruled the runner safe, manager Orlando Gomez removed Bresnahan from the game and fined him $50, and his team, the Cleveland Indians, released him, ending his career (although as a back-up catcher hitting .150, his career was pretty much over by that point, anyway). The play did make him a bit of a folk celebrity, however, and he has been the subject of numerous articles since.

After baseball, he went into real estate in Arizona, a field in which he found a lot more success than in baseball.

Further Reading

• Kevin T. Czerwinski: "Backup catcher's career mashed in 'Potato Caper'; Bresnahan released after tricking runner by throwing spud into outfield", MiLB.com, December 27, 2006. [1]
• Matt Monagan: "The on-field prank that got a catcher released: 'My heart's beating. I can't believe I'm doing this. I'm committed.'", mlb.com, April 8, 2021. [2]

Related Sites

• Blog post from Baseball Prospectus on famous baseball happenings in Williamsport