Bresnahan Debuts Shin Guards, Revolutionizes Catching
On April 11, 1907 – 1907: Recollecting the many foul tips off his shins, New York Giants catcher Roger Bresnahan decides to do something about it: He puts on shin guards (“cricket leg guards”) over his uniform in the season opener against the Philadelphia Phillies at the Polo Grounds. While some say Michael Kahoe was the first to use shin guards, others give credit to Bresnahan as the first to openly use protective leg gear.
The white shields are rather picturesque, in spite of their clumsiness, and the fans seem to like the new innovation. Bresnahan enjoys the benefits of his invention when a foul tip in the fifth inning raps the protectors sharply, saving him from being hurt.
In the game, with the Phillies leading 3-0 in the ninth inning, more than 1,000 fans in the crowd of 17,000 swarm the field. The players and umpires ask the fans to leave, but to no avail. Soon, hundreds more come on to the field. Umpire Bill Klem finally forfeits the game to the visiting Phillies by a 9-0 score.
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