John "Shotgun" Peters

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Today is the 80th anniversary of a former American Association player. John "Shotgun" Peters, a catcher who appeared in over 450 games in a Kansas City Blues uniform, died on February 21, 1932 at the age of 38 in Kansas City, Missouri, less than one year since he'd hit .325 for the Blues in 126 games that year. "Big Pete" was a member of the Blues organization on a full-time basis from 1927-31 after being given a trial as a 24 year-old in 1918. With 17 seasons in the minors, Peters was an accomplished player, appearing in 1,770 games with 53 home runs, 264 doubles and a batting average of .292.

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