Charlie O'Rourke
From BR Bullpen
James Patrick O'Rourke Also known as Jim O'Rourke
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 195 lb.
- School Santa Clara University
- Debut June 16, 1959
- Final Game June 16, 1959
- Born June 22, 1937 in Walla Walla, WA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
In 1958 Charlie O'Rourke, a student at the school and a member of the Santa Clara University baseball team, led a team from the town of Drain, Oregon to the National Championship and was named the MVP of the National Baseball Congress Tournament. On June 6, 1959 he was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals as an amateur free agent. One source says he signed for a $60,000 Bonus, (the SABR biography of Jeoff Long).
This same year the Cardinals signed another young player, 17 year old Tim McCarver, who would go on to a 21 year career in the major leagues.
O'Rourke would make his major league debut on June 16, of that year, appearing in both games of a double-header with the Cardinals, going hitless in two at-bats and was assigned to the Tulsa Oilers of the AA Texas League, shortly thereafter, where he appeared in 44 games hitting .274 with five home runs the balance of the season. This was Charlie's only chance at the Show.
Charlie would be with three teams in 1960, Tulsa, Memphis and Rochester and the split season would see him put up a combined .254 batting average with four home runs in 104 games. He would then spend the 1961 season with the Lancaster Red Roses of the class A Eastern League, hitting .267 and 17 homers in 135 games. 1962 was to be O'Rourkes last season and he spent it with two clubs, the Portsmouth-Norfolk Tides and the Tulsa Oilers falling to a .203 average with 10 home runs in 111 games and he decided to return to his home town of Walla Walla, WA. Charlie had spent four years in the minors hitting at a career .247 clip with 36 homers in 394 games.
After returning home he entered the investment business and now lives in Spokane, WA, where he owns O'Rourke Realty, a property investment company specializing in recreational developments.
[edit] Sources
