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Robert “Death to Flying Things” Ferguson

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Robert “Death to Flying Things” Ferguson Famous memorial

Birth
Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
Death
3 May 1894 (aged 49)
Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA
Burial
Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA GPS-Latitude: 40.6926419, Longitude: -73.873675
Plot
Section 4, Lot 413, Grave 4
Memorial ID
View Source
Major League Baseball Player, Manager. An outstanding 19th century ballplayer, he was captain of the Brooklyn Atlantics that handed the Cincinnati Red Stockings their first loss in two years. He was also a Manager as well, managing every team he played for from 1871 through 1884. Considered to be baseball's first switch-hitter, he was a so-so hitter and an outstanding fielder, given the nickname "Death to Flying Things" because of his ability to catch fly balls in an era when players did not wear gloves. Noted for his character, honesty and judgment, he was a shining example of good sportsmanship during a very unruly period of baseball history. He was elected president of the National Association from 1872-1875. Noted for a bad temper, he later became a NL umpire, where his temper once again got the best of him. He got into an argument one day with a player and decided to end the argument by breaking his arm with a bat. Over his NL career, he accrued a .271 lifetime average and a 299-373 win-loss record as a manager. He died from a stroke at the age of 49.
Major League Baseball Player, Manager. An outstanding 19th century ballplayer, he was captain of the Brooklyn Atlantics that handed the Cincinnati Red Stockings their first loss in two years. He was also a Manager as well, managing every team he played for from 1871 through 1884. Considered to be baseball's first switch-hitter, he was a so-so hitter and an outstanding fielder, given the nickname "Death to Flying Things" because of his ability to catch fly balls in an era when players did not wear gloves. Noted for his character, honesty and judgment, he was a shining example of good sportsmanship during a very unruly period of baseball history. He was elected president of the National Association from 1872-1875. Noted for a bad temper, he later became a NL umpire, where his temper once again got the best of him. He got into an argument one day with a player and decided to end the argument by breaking his arm with a bat. Over his NL career, he accrued a .271 lifetime average and a 299-373 win-loss record as a manager. He died from a stroke at the age of 49.

Bio by: Frank Russo


Inscription

ROBERT FERGUSON
Died May 3, 1894
Aged 49 Years
4 Mo. 3 Days
But Now His Radiant Course Is Run,
For Robert's Course Was Bright:
His Soul Was Like The Glorious Sun,
A Matchless Heavenly Light

ELSIE PELL TASSIE
Died Dec. 24, 1909
EMMA J. TASSIE
Died Nov. 16, 1934



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  • Maintained by: Find a Grave
  • Originally Created by: Frank Russo
  • Added: Oct 19, 2001
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5858591/robert-ferguson: accessed ), memorial page for Robert “Death to Flying Things” Ferguson (31 Jan 1845–3 May 1894), Find a Grave Memorial ID 5858591, citing Cypress Hills Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.