Bob O'Farrell
From BR Bullpen
Robert Arthur O'Farrell
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Weight 180 lb.
- Debut September 5, 1915
- Final Game September 23, 1935
- Born October 19, 1896 in Waukegan, IL USA
- Died February 20, 1988 in Waukegan, IL USA
Contents |
[edit] Biographical Information
Bob O'Farrell is quite possibly the only 21-season veteran with an MVP award who is not in the Hall of Fame. However, he never had 500 at-bats in a season and only twice had 400+ at-bats in one season, and overall, his numbers were rather unspectacular.
A catcher known for his strong arm, O'Farrell began his pro career at age 16 and reached the majors with the Chicago Cubs just prior to his 19th birthday. He became the team's regular backstop by 1920, hitting .324 in 1922 and .319 in 1923. However, he lost his starting job to future Hall of Famer Gabby Hartnett in 1924.
O'Farrell was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1925 and had his best season the following year, winning the National League Most Valuable Player award as the Cards reached the World Series. He threw out Babe Ruth trying to steal second base for the final out of the Series, giving St. Louis a seven game victory over the New York Yankees.
The next season, O'Farrell became player-manager of the Cardinals, replacing Rogers Hornsby, but the team finished second in the NL in his only season at the helm. He was traded to the New York Giants in 1928 and spent four and a half years there, most notably catching Carl Hubbell's no-hitter in 1929. He returned to the Cards for one year, spent half a season as player-manager with the Cincinnati Reds, played briefly for the Chicago Cubs, and ended his playing career with a third stint in St. Louis.
After his baseball career, O'Farrell was the longtime owner and operator of a bowling alley in the Chicago suburbs.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- NL MVP (1926)
- Won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1926
| NL MVP | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1925 | 1926 | 1927 |
| Rogers Hornsby | Bob O'Farrell | Paul Waner |
| Preceded by Rogers Hornsby | St. Louis Cardinals Manager 1927 | Succeeded by Bill McKechnie |
| Preceded by Donie Bush | Cincinnati Reds Manager 1934 | Succeeded by Chuck Dressen |
[edit] Further Reading
- Lawrence Ritter: The Glory of Their Times, The Macmillan Company, New York, 1966, pp. 235-242.
[edit] Related Sites
Categories: Player | Manager | MVP
