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Born in Toledo, Ohio, he began his major league career as a pitcher, throwing a six-hit shutout on August 27, 1897. However, he eventually moved to catcher (although he could play all nine positions), and was labeled one of the best catchers by managers John McGraw and Branch Rickey. He experimented with head and thigh protection (through taunts by other players), and led to the widespread use of more protection in the early 20th century. He played for the Washington Senators, Chicago Orphans, Baltimore Orioles, New York Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, and Chicago Cubs (in that order). In 1430 games, he had a batting average of .279 in 4480 at-bats.
His Hall of Fame plaque says the following:
ROGER BRESNAHAN BATTERY MATE OF CHRISTY MATHEWSON WITH THE NEW YORK GIANTS, HE WAS ONE OF THE GAME'S MOST NATURAL PLAYERS AND MIGHT HAVE STARRED AT ANY POSITION. THE "DUKE OF TRALEE" WAS ONE OF THE FEW MAJOR LEAGUE CATCHERS FAST ENOUGH TO BE USED AS A LEADOFF MAN.