Alexander Joy Cartwright, who wrote most of the rules of baseball, introduced the sport to Hawai'i and made an impact in the Islands that went far beyond the diamond.
Cartwright, who umpired the first game of modern baseball played according to his rules in Hoboken, N.J., in 1846, came to Hawai'i in 1849 while on a sailing voyage around the world. He liked the Islands so much he decided to stay and sent for his family in New York.
Cartwright became a leading figure in Honolulu society. He founded a volunteer fire department — now the Honolulu Fire Department — and served as its first chief from 1850 to 1859.
He helped establish The Queen's Hospital (now The Queen's Medical Center), the Honolulu Library and the Seamen's Institute.
He also helped establish Bishop & Co., forerunner of First Hawaiian Bank.
Cartwright was a successful businessman and financial adviser to five of Hawai'i's rulers.
In 1939, Cartwright was inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, N.Y. His plaque credits him with being the "Father of Modern Base Ball," (two words in those days) and for bringing "baseball to the Pacific Coast and Hawaii in pioneer days."
Cartwright died in 1892 at age 72 and is buried in O'ahu Cemetery, Nu'uanu Valley.
