Wright, Harry

Wright, (William Henry) Harry (1835–95) baseball manager; born in Sheffield, England. He immigrated to the U.S.A. with his family while an infant and played cricket throughout his youth. In 1858 he joined the Knickerbocker Club of New York City, one of baseball's first organized teams. In 1869 he was manager of the famed Cincinnati Red Stockings, baseball's first admittedly professional club, which featured his brother, George Wright, at shortstop. He was a National League manager for 18 years (1876–93), starting with the league's first year of existence. One of baseball's true pioneers, he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1953.