Oscar E. "Reddy" Foster (August 1864 – December 19, 1908) was a Major League Baseball (MLB) player for the New York Giants in 1896. His only MLB appearance was on June 3 of that season. He primarily played catcher in his minor league career, which spanned 17 seasons. Foster was a manager as well. He was known for his fiery temper and his heavy drinking. Foster died on December 19, 1908, when he deliberately shot himself in the head with a shotgun.
Oscar E. Foster, nicknamed Reddy, was born sometime in August 1864 in Richmond, Virginia. In 1890, he played 27 games as an outfielder for the Lebanon, Pennsylvania, entry in the Eastern Interstate League. In 27 games, he batted .202 with 12 runs scored, 21 hits, 1 double, 3 triples, 2 home runs, and 9 stolen bases.
In 1894, Foster joined the Richmond Crows of the newly-formed Virginia League, excelling at the catcher position according to baseball historian Frank Russo. No statistics are recorded from his 1894 season. In 1895, he played 102 games, batting .276 with 93 runs scored, 110 hits, 26 doubles, 4 triples, 6 home runs, and 41 stolen bases. He split 1896 between multiple teams. In 51 games for Richmond, he batted .279 with 51 runs scored, 55 hits, 11 doubles, 3 triples, 2 home runs, and 46 stolen bases. Foster also played 59 games for the New York Metropolitans of the Atlantic League, batting .281 with 55 runs scored, 63 hits, 15 doubles, 5 triples, 1 home run, and 40 stolen bases. That gave him a total of 86 stolen bases in the minor leagues in 1896.

Return to Reddy Foster Autograph Profile