Bresnahan began his professional career in 1897 with the Washington Senators and then moved to the Chicago Cubs in 1898. He was a catcher and right fielder and helped the Cubs win the National League pennant in 1906 and 1907. He was a member of the 1908 World Series winning Cubs team and was an All-Star selection in 1903 and 1906.
In 1910, Bresnahan was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals and was named the team's player-manager. He was the first manager in baseball to wear a catcher's mask and shin guards, earning him the nickname "The Duke of Tralee". During his tenure with the Cardinals, he was able to lead the team to two National League pennants.
Bresnahan was traded to the New York Giants in 1912 and became the team's player-manager for the 1913 and 1914 seasons. He was able to lead the Giants to a World Series championship in 1913, and was posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1945.
Bresnahan retired from playing in 1915 due to injuries and went on to manage the Buffalo Bisons of the International League. He passed away in 1944 due to injuries sustained in a car accident. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in baseball history, and is often cited as the inventor of the catcher's mask and shin guards. His legacy lives on through the Roger Bresnahan Award, which is given to the best defensive catcher in MLB.
⚾