John Hibbard

John Denison Hibbard

• Bats Unknown, Throws Left
• School University of Michigan
• Debut July 31, 1884
• Final Game August 2, 1884
• Born December 2, 1864 in Chicago, IL USA
• Died November 17, 1937 in Hollywood, CA USA

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Biographical Information

John Hibbard, like Fleet Walker and Moses Walker, went to the University of Michigan and played in the major leagues in 1884. However, unlike the Walker brothers, Hibbard mostly attended Michigan after his major league days, while the Walkers were first at Michigan and then in the majors. Hibbard was in the National League, while the Walkers were in the American Association.

He was the youngest player on the 1884 White Stockings, while manager/first baseman Cap Anson was one of the oldest.

The book Baseball at the University of Michigan says that Hibbard was the main pitcher for the university team for all four years that he was there, 1884-87. As a result, he would have pitched one year for the team before coming to the majors. He was captain in 1885-86. Hibbard went on to a long career as a metallurgical engineer. At the university level he was known for his "swift pitching". The book has a photo of the 1886 team, including Hibbard.