He introduced the use of the catcher's shin guard in 1907 and was selected in 1945 to the Baseball Hall of Fame. During his career and for most of his life he claimed to have been born in Tralee, Ireland but admitted the truth (Toledo, Ohio) later in life. Bresnahan had managed the Cardinals while playing for them, and the Cubs in 1915. His overall record was 328-432. Bresnahan died of a heart attack at his home in Toledo at age 65, and was elected to the Hall of Fame the following year; decades later, Sabermetrician Bill James said it was an honor that Bresnahan did not deserve.