Scott Hastings (baseball)

Winfield Scott Hastings (August 10, 1847 – August 14, 1907) was a major league baseball player and manager in the late 19th century. Primarily a catcher and outfielder, Hastings also appeared as a first baseman, second baseman, and shortstop over the course of his career.

Early career
Born in Hillsboro, Ohio, Hastings enlisted in the 145th Illinois Infantry Regiment in 1864 at 18 years old.

He made his major league debut on May 6, 1871 for the Rockford Forest Citys of the National Association as the starting catcher and manager of the team. The team disbanded after the 1871 season and Hastings moved to the Cleveland Forest Citys for the 1871 campaign as a player-manager again. Rotating between catcher, second base and outfield, Hastings was batting .391 when the team folded on August 19.

Hastings then moved to the Baltimore Canaries to finish out the season, primarily catching and hitting a respectable .306. Hastings remained with the Canaries for the 1873 season, batting .281 and rotating with two other players at the catching position as well as filling in as a fourth outfielder. He moved to the Hartford Dark Blues in 1874, once again platooning at catcher and playing in the outfield when not behind the plate. Hastings had a good year, hitting .325 and leading the team in runs scored.

Later career
Hastings was on the move again for 1875, joining the Chicago White Stockings. Hastings was the regular catcher for Chicago but his average fell to .254. White Stockings owner William Hulbert found Hastings expendable as he signed Deacon White from the Boston Red Stockings to replace him. Hastings caught on with the Louisville Grays for the 1876 season in the new National League. Hastings was the everyday center fielder for the Grays, and although leading the team in runs scored Hastings' average was only .258 and was looking for a new team again after the season.

In 1877, Hastings played for the Cincinnati Reds and was one of six players who caught five games or more. The job was Hastings to lose and he did, batting only .141 for the season, his last in the majors.

Hastings eventually retired to Santa Cruz, California and died at the Sawtelle Veterans Home in 1907.