Bruce Petway

Bruce Franklin Petway (December 23 1885 - July 4 1941) was a Negro League catcher in the early 20th century who came to be known as having one of the best arms on a catcher in the league. He is also said to have been one of the first to have consistently thrown to second base without coming out of the squat.

Petway left a career in medicine to pursue baseball. The right-hander played for a number of Negro League teams, most notably the Leland Giants (1906, 1910), Philadelphia Giants (1907-1909), Chicago American Giants (1911-1918), and the Detroit Stars (1919-1925).

While playing in Cuba in 1910, he reportedly threw Ty Cobb out three times, in three attempts to steal. That year, he batted .390, showing off his hitting skills as well. He also led the Cuban League in stolen bases in 1912, when he picked up 20, a rarity for a catcher even back then.

He played with the Stars into the 20s when he continued to post solid numbers, while simultaneously managing the team, like many stars went on to do back then. With Detroit, he played with such greats as Pete Hill and future New York Black Yankees' star Bill Holland.