Expert: Steve L - 8/23/2004

Question
Hi Steve,
I came across a very interesting tidbit on New York Giants manager, John McGraw, and would like to include it in a profile I'm writing for a children's magazine, but so far haven't been able to verify if it's true or not.

In the early 1900's, a deaf mute by the name of Luther Taylor played for McGraw. Instead of trading Taylor because of his disability, McGraw made the team learn sign language so they could all communicate on the field. Can you let me know if this has any basis in fact? If it does, please include sources.

Thanks very much.
Dianna

Answer
Dianna:  Luther ("Dummy") Taylor played for McGraw and the Giants from 1900-1908.  McGraw learned the rudiments of sign language so he could communicate with Taylor from the bench, and it's reported that Taylor taught sign language to catcher Roger Bresnahan.  

While I found no reference to McGraw "making the team learn sign language," it's a plausible conclusion that he did.

You might want to check these links:

http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/T/Taylor_Dummy.stm

http://www.thedeadballera.com/Obits/Taylor.Dummy.Obit.html