John Ward sounds like the name of a baseball legend from the 1880's, and that is because he is. Starting his career at the young age of 18 in 1878 for the Providence Grays as a pitcher. But John Ward's story goes much, much deeper than that.
John Ward was sent to college at the University of Pennsylvania at the age of 13. He would get kicked out soon after as he got into a fight with an upperclassman for throwing him down a flight stairs and stealing chickens. Classic 1870's shenanigan’s stealing chickens. During his short time at UPenn, John started a baseball program there and it is stated that at UPenn is where he invented the curveball. Although the invention of the curveball has been debated between Ward and the great Candy Cummings. Ward then tried to be a salesman for a while, but he ended up in Providence, Rhode Island. The Providence Grays had just joined the newly formed National League and needed some help pitching. That is how John Ward, got his start.
"Monte" was the nickname he was given due to going by his middle name Montgomery, was one of the best pitchers in the National League. When he was just 19 and in his second season he won a league leading 47 games. He would win over 100 games before he was 21 which is absolutely unheard of. It is also important to note that in 1880 Monte Ward threw the second ever perfect game in baseball history just 5 days after the first ever perfect game was thrown. The lack of arm care proved to be a problem as Monte had issues with his arm throughout the next few seasons. What did Monte do when he wasn't pitching, he played the outfield and he could hit pretty well hovering around a .250 batting average. He is also known for his speed as he stole 111 bases in 1887.
In 1882 the Providence grays thought that Monte's best days were behind him due to his arm issues, he was 22. The Grays sold him to the New York Giants in the off season. In his last month as a Providence Gray Monte would go out with a bang when he pitched the longest complete game shutout in baseball history when he shut out the Detroit Wolverines in an 18 inning 1-0 victory for the grays. When Monte got traded to the New York Giants he would still pitch and play the field, but he would injure his shoulder sliding into a base and his right arm was basically useless for the rest of the year. So what did Monte do? He learned to throw left handed so he could still continue to play center field for his team. What a god damn trooper.
Monte would go on and be the everyday shortstop for the New York Giants starting in 1885 which is also the same year that our hero would graduate from Columbia law school. That degree helped Monte gain the knowledge to set up the first ever sports labor union. This would be Monte's true legacy as the owners would not allow players to speak with other teams at the time and no one was willing to stand up to the rich and powerful owners.
In 1888 Ward would be part of the 2 all star teams that were part of the Spalding World Tour. The Spalding World Tour traveled around the entire globe spreading the great game of baseball, but more important than baseball, the sports brand of Spalding. While on tour, the Giants sold Monte to the Washington Nationals. Monte being the head of the newly formed players union was not a fan of this and left the tour early to have a little chat with the Giants owners. Monte was good at being stubborn as he simply said he refused to play for the Nationals unless the Nationals paid him the portion in which he was sold for. The sale was nullified and Monte stayed a Giant where he would go on to win his second of this new playoff tournament called the "World Series".
In 1890 Monte Ward created the Players League with a profit sharing system so that way the players got fairly paid for how good they were much like how players are paid today. After 3 years though the league fell through as the owners of the team were upset with the little amount of money being brought in. Monte would rejoin the New York Giants in 1893 and retire a year later in 1894 at the old age of 34.
After his career in baseball ended, he used his Columbia Law School education again to make his way into some legal business serving as a lawyer for baseball players in the National League. He would also become part owner of the Boston Braves. Around 40 years old, usually when players of Monte Ward's ability retire, Monte had his eyes set on another white ball, golf. He would play on the amateur tour and would actually win some tournaments here and there. His greatest golf accomplishment would be coming in 2nd place in the North and South Amateur Championship at Pinehurst in 1903. It is said that the North and South Amateur Championship is equal to one of the 4 majors on the PGA Tour today.
Monte Ward would die on the day of his 65th birthday in 1925. His legacy and the lives that he affected was vast and great. Monte would be remembered for being the first ball player to stand up to the powerful owners, and laid the foundation for players rights in baseball, which eventually went to all sport leagues better known as free agency. Without Monte Ward, maybe the Phillies never sign Bryce Harper, and that would be an absolute tragedy in my eyes. On the field, Monte would be known for being the only, yes the ONLY player in baseball history with 100 wins as a pitcher, and 2,000 hits as a position player. So in a few years when Shohei Ohtani is about to hit 2,000 hits and 100 wins you can flex your knowledge that you learned from Tea with T to that hot chick at the bar when you say that John "Monte" Ward did it over 150 years ago and did not have to blame his translator for his gambling problem. His single game records are things of legends. A 18 inning complete game shutout is as good as it gets, the only thing better would be a perfect game. Oh wait he did that too. Monte would be elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964 having his legacy forever lived in Cooperstown.
And that, is todays Tea, with T
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