One of the most significant people ever to play at St. Bonaventure was John Joseph McGraw. McGraw was born in 1873 in Truxton, New York, just south of Syracuse. He began his professional baseball career in Olean, New York as a pitcher in 1890, but sources say that he was quickly transformed into a third baseman.
In St. Bonaventure's student publication,
The Laurel, Hugh Erb spoke of how McGraw was not particularly delighted with the change and at first his performance at the newly acquired position was considered sub-par. McGraw spent his off- seasons attending St. Bonas from 1892-1895, it is here where he helped tune his style of play, as well as expand his knowledge in the academic world.
John McGraw eventually was acquired by the major league Baltimore Orioles where he played third base until the late 1890s. In 1901 McGraw went to St. Louis, of the American League, but left after one season to take the managerial/player position with the New York Giants. McGraw eventually decided, in 1907, that he would hang up his spikes for the last time and devote his effort strictly to managing.
John McGraw spent over thirty years at the head of the Giants organization and in doing so he managed to acquire ten pennants and three world series titles. He was elected to the
Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937.
