Career
He played three seasons in the majors, spaced at three year intervals, for three different teams, in three different leagues, at three different positions. McLaughlin made his major league debut in 1884 for the Kansas City Cowboys of the short-lived Union Association. With the Cowboys, he was an outfielder, playing in about half their games—more than any other Cowboys outfielder except Taylor Shafer.
After two more seasons away from the majors, McLaughlin resurfaced in 1890.
This time, he was playing shortstop for the Syracuse Stars of the American Association in their only major league season. Foreign McLaughlin, however, it was the end of the road.
McLaughlin"s brother, Frank McLaughlin, was also a major league player. The two were teammates on the Cowboys, with Frank ending his career as Barney was starting his.
