Tim Murnane

From BR Bullpen

Timothy Hayes Murnane

Bats Left, Throws Right
Height 5' 9.5", Weight 172 lb.
School College of the Holy Cross
Debut April 26, 1872
Final Game October 19, 1884
Born June 4, 1851 in Naugatuck, CT USA
Died February 7, 1917 in Boston, MA USA

[edit] Biographical Information

" . . . one of the most widely known baseball reporters in the country." - from the New York Times obituary of Tim Murnane

" . . . one of most remarkable and colorful characters in the game's history." - from the Hall of Fame's website

Tim Murnane had a tremendous influence on the sport of baseball, as a player, a manager, a baseball executive, an umpire, an eminent sportswriter and a discoverer of talent.

Murnane, who played most of his major league career in the National Association, was the first player from the College of the Holy Cross to play major league baseball. He also played later in the National League and was a player-manager in the Union Association before becoming a baseball executive.

Murnane played eight seasons in the majors (counting the NA as a major league), and led the NA in stolen bases in 1875. He was sixth in batting as a rookie in 1872.

He was a sportswriter in Boston for many years. He was a popular after-dinner speaker and discovered some of the game's early stars.

Since he was affiliated with the Boston Globe from around 1890-1917, he wrote about many of the great stars of that time, including Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker and Babe Ruth.