Birchard Hayes

Biographical Information

Birchard Austin Hayes (Born November 4, 1853 in Cincinnati, Ohio) was the son of President Rutherford Hayes. He played for the Croghan of Fremont baseball club during the pre-MLB era and continued to play for the team through 1871 under independent status after the National Association of Base Ball Players collapsed, with nine member clubs turning professional .

President Hayes wrote the following letter to his son complimenting his baseball talents on June 3, 1870: “I see by the Journal you are playing base ball and that you play well. I am pleased with this. I like to have my boys enjoy and practice all athletic sports and games, especially riding, rowing, hunting, and ball playing.”

Birchard died on January 24, 1926.

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