Tom Kinslow

Who was Tom Kinslow?

Thomas F. Kinslow was a professional baseball player who played catcher in Major League Baseball from 1886 until 1898. He played for eight teams in his ten-season career. Four of those seasons were with Brooklyn Bridegrooms of the National League . During his playing days, his height was listed at 5-foot-10-inch, his weight as 160-pound, he batted and threw right-handed, and had blonde hair.

He was a member of the Washington Light Infantry, a local Washington D.C. milita, and played in many of their amateur baseball games throughout his life. When not playing, he tended to his bar. Noted for being a genial, friendly individual, he was quick to make friends, and was a fan-favorite in his hometown of Washington D.C. Kinslow was a heavy drinker however, which caused him to miss games and team movements on occasion. Late into his career, these alcohol issues were much less tolerated, eventually hastening his exit from the game. He died at the age of 35, after a year-long battle with tuberculosis.