On why Jennings, with little to no playing experience, was called upon to catch the hard-throwing Golden, Caylor stated: He looked so large and handsome, so very like a catcher...that Manager Chapman was mashed, and straightway engaged him, and clinched the bargain with a dinner. He endured his nickname for the remainder of his career, and sportswriters exaggerated his dismal performance more in the years afterward.
The Grays had a tough time filling all their playing positions due to multiple injuries, and enlisted Jennings to catch pitcher Mike Golden. During the game, he failed to collect a hit in three plate appearances, but did receive one base on balls.