Born in Ireland and raised in Pittsburgh, John Tener grew up to be a big man. At 6-foot-4, he was the tallest major leaguer when he joined the Chicago White Sox in 1888. Tener’s career in professional baseball was short, but he would go on to become a successful banker, member of Congress, the governor of Pennsylvania, and Commissioner of Major League Baseball. As governor he championed the paving of rural roads and fought against illegal sports wagering.
