The topic of discussion at the 25th annual Friends of Ireland luncheon on St. Patrick' Day at the Sunset Restaurant were famous Irish major-league players.
The player closest to home was smilin' Mickey Welch who played with Auburn in the Alliance League in 1889. The following year, he was traded to Troy, at that time a member of the National League. He set a record in 1884 that will probably never will be broken.
He struck out the first nine batters he faced. Welch had a great season in 1885 when he won 44 games, losing only 11, He is the only Auburn player inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown (1973).
The most famous Irish family in baseball were the Delahantys. All five brothers - Ed, Tom, Joe, Frank and Jim - played in the big leagues. Ed was the best hitter and was inducted into the baseball museum in 1946. During his brilliant career, he batted over .400 three times. His best performance was in 1889 when he hit .410. He batted .404 in 1884 and .407 in 1885.
Two more popular Irish players with a local connection were John and "Tug" McGraw. John born in nearby Truxton, managed the New York Giants for 31 years, winning 10 pennants and three World Series. The Auburn Prison ballteam was given the old Giants uniforms by McGraw at the end of each season for several years.
Tug McGraw made a amazing debut in pro baseball as he tossed a no-hitter while pitching for the 1964 Cocoa Beach Mets of the rookie Gulf Coast League. The same year, he was promoted to the Auburn Mets of the New York-Penn League. A year later, he was playing with the big club.
McGraw pitched for the "Amazing Mets" who won the 1969 World Series. A terrific relief pitcher, he had a 9-3 record that year. He also won a game for the Mets in the 1973 Series. Tug played 19 years in the majors, including the1980 Fall Classic with the Philadelphia Phillies.
After his unexpected death last year, the Phillies honored him by wearing a green shamrock sleeve patch with the word "TUG" emblazoned on it.
Three Ireland natives played in the majors. Tony Mullane and Joe Cleary were both born in County Cork. Mullane was an outstanding pitcher and was considered one of the best not inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Mullane signed with Detroit in 1881 and for the next five years won 30 or more games. He posted 37 victories in 1884.
Cleary was a lucky pitcher. During World War II with a shortage of players, Washington signed Cleary. He started one game in 1945, pitched one-third of an inning, allowed seven runs. That was the end of his pro career. However, he pitched 12 years in the minors, posting a 84-84 record. He was the last Ireland native to make it to the big leagues.
Jimmy Archer, a native of Dublin, became a first-string catcher for the Cubs. He was with the Cubs won when they won the pennant in 1910. He set a record when he threw out seven base runners attempting to steal second.
One of the most famous Irish players was Cornelius McGillicuddy, better known as Connie Mack. He collected 72 hits in 1886 as catcher for New Hartford of the Eastern League. Mack managed the Philadelphia Athletics for 50 years, retiring at the age 88.
He struck out the first nine batters he faced. Welch had a great season in 1885 when he won 44 games, losing only 11, He is the only Auburn player inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown (1973).
The most famous Irish family in baseball were the Delahantys. All five brothers - Ed, Tom, Joe, Frank and Jim - played in the big leagues. Ed was the best hitter and was inducted into the baseball museum in 1946. During his brilliant career, he batted over .400 three times. His best performance was in 1889 when he hit .410. He batted .404 in 1884 and .407 in 1885.
Two more popular Irish players with a local connection were John and "Tug" McGraw. John born in nearby Truxton, managed the New York Giants for 31 years, winning 10 pennants and three World Series. The Auburn Prison ballteam was given the old Giants uniforms by McGraw at the end of each season for several years.
Tug McGraw made a amazing debut in pro baseball as he tossed a no-hitter while pitching for the 1964 Cocoa Beach Mets of the rookie Gulf Coast League. The same year, he was promoted to the Auburn Mets of the New York-Penn League. A year later, he was playing with the big club.
McGraw pitched for the "Amazing Mets" who won the 1969 World Series. A terrific relief pitcher, he had a 9-3 record that year. He also won a game for the Mets in the 1973 Series. Tug played 19 years in the majors, including the1980 Fall Classic with the Philadelphia Phillies.
After his unexpected death last year, the Phillies honored him by wearing a green shamrock sleeve patch with the word "TUG" emblazoned on it.
Three Ireland natives played in the majors. Tony Mullane and Joe Cleary were both born in County Cork. Mullane was an outstanding pitcher and was considered one of the best not inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Mullane signed with Detroit in 1881 and for the next five years won 30 or more games. He posted 37 victories in 1884.
Cleary was a lucky pitcher. During World War II with a shortage of players, Washington signed Cleary. He started one game in 1945, pitched one-third of an inning, allowed seven runs. That was the end of his pro career. However, he pitched 12 years in the minors, posting a 84-84 record. He was the last Ireland native to make it to the big leagues.
Jimmy Archer, a native of Dublin, became a first-string catcher for the Cubs. He was with the Cubs won when they won the pennant in 1910. He set a record when he threw out seven base runners attempting to steal second.
One of the most famous Irish players was Cornelius McGillicuddy, better known as Connie Mack. He collected 72 hits in 1886 as catcher for New Hartford of the Eastern League. Mack managed the Philadelphia Athletics for 50 years, retiring at the age 88.
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.