Tom Gunning

Thomas Francis Gunning

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 160 lb.
• School Boston College, College of the Holy Cross, University of Pennsylvania
• Debut July 26, 1884
• Final Game June 18, 1889
• Born March 4, 1862 in Newmarket, NH USA
• Died March 17, 1931 in Fall River, MA USA

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Biographical Information

Tom Gunning played six seasons in the major leagues, apparently at only one position, catcher. He had been at two colleges before the majors, Boston College and College of the Holy Cross, at the same time as Jimmy Ryan was there. During off-seasons of his playing days he went to the University of Pennsylvania where he received his medical degree. There is no record of his playing baseball there. Among his other work, he became medical examiner and city physician for the city of Fall River, MA.

For a time he was a major league umpire, and drew comment from none other than Pud Galvin: ". . . Papa Galvin is anything but pleased because Tom has called the turn on him and declared that movement of his in catching men napping on bases a balk." - Sporting Life of May 3, 1890. He worked a few National League and American Association games from 1884 to 1889 before becoming a full-time umpire in the Players League in 1890. Tom resigned in June of that year, saying that "Ward was the man who drove him out of the business by his continual kicking against his decisions." This was presumably John Ward.

"He is a reliable back stop, fine thrower, fair batsman and good base-runner." - Sporting Life, April 6, 1887

Related Sites

• Tom Gunning at the SABR Bio Project
• Tom Gnning on Retrosheet.org