Bonesetter Reese

'Father of modern sports medicine'

Bonesetter Reese was a famous groundbreaking athletic trainer in professional baseball in the United States of America, becoming known as the nation's "baseball doctor". He gained fame for his ability to treat injuries, particularly those related to bones and muscles, which earned him the nickname "Bonesetter."

Indeed, some consider him to be the “Father of Modern Sports Medicine” such was his renowned skill and influence in the US. But it was in Wales, and indeed Rhymney, where Reese learned his legendary skills.

John David Rees was born on May 6th,1855 in the Stradey Arms pub in Llanelli where his father William was the publican as well as a labourer in the local silver and lead works. His father died just two months later and his widowed mother, Sarah married David Evans, an iron worker, with the family moving to Rhymney.  

By 1871, his family was living at 1 Jerusalem Street in the town with 15-year-old John working at the nearby Iron Works. Fortuitously, next door at 2 Jerusalem Street lived Thomas Jones and his family. Thomas ‘Rocyn’ Jones was already well-known locally as a ‘Bonesetter’ who helped heal the injuries and strained muscles of local iron workers. 

He passed on his secrets and skills to the young John Rees, along with his own sons - David and Thomas, who were also called ‘Rocyn’ like their father. Together, these local Bonesetters helped their fellow iron workers in Rhymney.

It seems John Rees married David Rocyn Jones’ sister-in-law. With the Rhymney iron industry in decline, they emigrated to the USA in 1887, first to Pittsburgh, where Rees worked initially as a coal miner before moving to Jones & Laughlin Steelworks.

The family moved on to Youngstown Ohio famous, like Rhymney, for its iron works. It was there that John Reese, as his name was now spelled, became respected amongst fellow workers for his “bonesetting” skills and he was asked to help a baseball player from Youngstown, Jimmy McAleer who was playing for the Cleveland Spiders. 

McAleer spread the word about the Welshman's healing skills. In 1903, the Pittsburgh Pirates invited Reese to become their full-time team physician, but he refused and continued to treat any player who wanted his help.

Reese used a combination of massage and manipulation, as well as herbal remedies to treat injuries. His methods were unconventional for the time. But they were highly effective, earning him a reputation as a miracle worker. 

Many famous professional baseball players sought his help, especially pitchers suffering from arm and shoulder injuries. Honus Wagner was one of the baseball greatest players ever. In August 2021, a cigarette card depicting him sold for $6.6 million, the highest then-ever sum for a baseball card. Reese visited Pittsburgh to treat Wagner who recalled he thought he would be hypnotised by the deep blue eyes of the man with enormous hands and a big moustache. 

“He had me stretch out flat on my back and he tried to work my left leg up around my shoulder, like a contortionist. I thought he’d cripple me and wouldn’t relax. For about 30 minutes, he tussled and then I gave in. ‘Now walk,’ he commanded. I told him I couldn’t. ‘Sure you can,’ he answered. The first thing I knew, he gave me a push and I walked. In fact, in a day or two I was back in there good as ever.”

With sports medicine still in its infancy, Reese's hands-on methods provided much-needed relief and extended careers, and his fame spread across America. 

Reese never forgot his roots, however. As a proud Welsh speaker, he returned to Wales on occasions and was inducted into the Welsh-American Gorsedd. His contributions to baseball and sports medicine were significant. 

He is remembered as a pioneer in the field of athletic training and injury treatment and his impact on baseball and his innovative approaches left a huge legacy in the world of sport. At his funeral service, the presiding minister described Reese's contributions as follows: “He began to serve early in his life and kept on. He was faithful to the end. The only life worth living is the life of service".