Steve O'Neill
From BR Bullpen
Stephen Francis O'Neill
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 10", Weight 165 lb.
- Debut September 18, 1911
- Final Game September 14, 1928
- Born July 6, 1891 in Minooka, PA USA
- Died January 26, 1962 in Cleveland, OH USA
Catcher Steve O'Neill began his playing career with the Elmira Colonels in 1910 and spent most of the next year with the Worcester Busters before joining the Cleveland Naps late in the season. He spent more than a decade with Cleveland, with his best season coming in 1920 when he hit .321 with 3 homers and 55 RBIs. That year, he also played in the World Series that year, hitting .333 in seven games.
Before the 1924 season, O'Neill was traded to the Boston Red Sox, and he was sent to the New York Yankees a year later. After playing in the International League in 1926, he returned to the big leagues as a backup catcher for the St. Louis Browns in 1927 and 1928 Browns.
Overall, in 17 years in the majors, O'Neill hit .263 with just 13 home runs. As of 2007, he has the fourth most passed balls in the modern era (145).
After his big league playing days ended, O'Neill was player/manager with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1929 to 1931, player/coach for the Toledo Mud Hens in 1932, and player/manager for the Mud Hens in 1933 and 1934.
O'Neill began the 1935 season as a Cleveland Indians coach but replaced Walter Johnson as manager in mid-season. In two and a half years at the helm there, he is credited for helping in the development of Bob Feller.
After managing the Buffalo Bisons for three seasons, O'Neill was a member of the Detroit Tigers coaching staff in 1941. He managed the Beaumont Exporters in 1942 and then returned to the majors as Detroit's skipper for the next six years. Under his leadership, the Tigers won the 1945 World Series and finished second in the American League three times.
O'Neill returned to the Indians as a coach in 1949 and, after beginning the next year as a Red Sox coach, replaced Joe McCarthy as Boston manager in midseason. After spending a season and half at the helm there, he managed the Philadelphia Phillies for parts of three seasons. He later scouted for the Indians from 1955 to 1957.
O'Neill was the brother of Jack O'Neill, Jim O'Neill, and Mike O'Neill, and the father-in-law of minor league Hank Nowak.
Contents |
[edit] Notable Achievements
- Won a World Series with the Cleveland Indians in 1920
- AL Pennants: 1 (1945)
- Managed one World Series Champion with the Detroit Tigers in 1945
| Preceded by Walter Johnson | Cleveland Indians Manager 1935-1937 | Succeeded by Ossie Vitt |
| Preceded by Del Baker | Detroit Tigers Manager 1943-1948 | Succeeded by Red Rolfe |
| Preceded by Joe McCarthy | Boston Red Sox Manager 1950-1951 | Succeeded by Lou Boudreau |
| Preceded by Eddie Sawyer | Philadelphia Phillies Manager 1952-1954 | Succeeded by Terry Moore |
[edit] Records Held
- Double plays, catcher, season, 36, 1916
[edit] Year-by-Year Minor League Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1929 | Toronto Maple Leafs | International League | 92-76 | 2nd | none | none |
| 1930 | Toronto Maple Leafs | International League | 87-80 | 4th | none | none |
| 1931 | Toronto Maple Leafs | International League | 83-84 | 5th | none | none |
| 1933 | Toledo Mud Hens | American Association | 70-83 | 5th (t) | Cleveland Indians | |
| 1934 | Toledo Mud Hens | American Association | 68-84 | 6th | none | |
| 1938 | Buffalo Bisons | International League | 79-74 | 4th | none | Lost League Finals |
| 1939 | Buffalo Bisons | International League | 82-72 | 3rd | Cleveland Indians | Lost in 1st round |
| 1940 | Buffalo Bisons | International League | 76-83 | 6th | none | |
| 1942 | Beaumont Exporters | Texas League | 89-58 | 1st | Detroit Tigers | Lost League Finals |
