Fred Cone

Joseph Frederick Cone

• Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown
• Height 5' 10", Weight 171 lb.

• Debut May 5, 1871
• Final Game September 9, 1871
• Born May, 1848 in Rockford, IL USA
• Died April 13, 1909 in Chicago, IL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Fred Cone was born in Rockford, IL, an early hotbed of baseball, and played for the Rockford team from 1868-1870. When the National Association started, he was signed by Harry Wright and played for the Boston Red Stockings. On July 12, 1871, he got five hits in a game. He umpired a total of 23 major league games, starting in the NA from 1873-1875, and continuing in the National League in 1876 and 1877. After baseball, he worked as a hotel clerk in Chicago. According to an account in the New York Times from 1896 about an old-timers' game:

"Fred Cone, who made his advent into Rockford in 1868 with his overalls in cowhide boots, as a member of the Stillman Valley 'Plowboys', now wears a gorgeous diamond in his shirtfront and is the day clerk of the Victoria Hotel."

Related Sites

• BR Minors page
• Fred Cone on Retrosheet.org