Gus Mancuso

August "Blackie" Mancuso (1905–1984) was an American professional baseball catcher who played in the National League from 1928 to 1945. Born in Galveston, Texas, he spent his longest stretches with the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Giants, also appearing with the Chicago Cubs, Brooklyn Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies. Regarded as one of the top defensive catchers of the 1930s, Mancuso was valued for his handling of pitching staffs and on-field leadership. He was a member of five National League pennant-winning teams and caught five pitchers who were later inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.