John Ewing

John Ewing
(Long John)

• Bats Right, Throws Right

• Debut June 18, 1883
• Final Game October 1, 1891
• Born June 1, 1863 in Cincinnati, OH USA
• Died April 23, 1895 in Denver, CO USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Drawing of Ewing, 1891

"Such pitching as John Ewing did Thursday will not be beaten this season. He held the strong Chicago Club down to a single hit in nine innings . . ." - the Philadelphia Press, quoted in Sporting Life, August 9, 1890

John Ewing, brother of Hall of Famer Buck Ewing and uncle of major leaguer Bob Ewing, was the National League's top pitcher in 1891, leading the league in both ERA and winning percentage while playing for the New York Giants. He outpitched Hall of Famers and fellow teammates Amos Rusie and Mickey Welch that year. It was his last year in the majors.

Ewing pitched four seasons in the majors from 1888 to 1891, and years earlier had briefly appeared as an outfielder in the American Association and the Union Association in 1883 and 1884, respectively.

In 1890, he was on the Players League Giants team, which was managed by Buck. He played in four different leagues in his six years in the majors. He was also in the Southern Association for a couple of seasons. He umpired one game in the American Association in 1889.

The Sporting Life of October 31, 1891 reported that Ewing was refusing to sign for another season unless he was paid more money. However, that winter he was apparently struck with a serious illness: the Lewiston Evening Journal of February 27, 1892 intimated that John nearly died but that he was recovering, and the hope was he would be able to pitch by June. The Toronto Daily Mail of January 9, 1893 reported that John had hoped to come back to the Giants the previous spring, but that his brother Buck feared John's health would not allow him to do so.

John died at age 31 in 1895. His brother Buck also died young, before age 50. Stated Sporting Life on the occasion of Buck's funeral (issue of November 3, 1906): "The . . . great battery of Ewing and Ewing ('Long John' and 'Buck') has been re-united in eternity."

Notable Achievements

• NL ERA Leader (1891)
• NL Winning Percentage Leader (1891)
• 20 Wins Seasons: 1 (1891)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 3 (1889-1891)
• 300 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1889)