Mike O'Neill

Note: This page is for 1900s major league pitcher Mike O'Neill; for the minor league outfielder in the 2010s, click here

Michael Joyce O'Neill
played as Michael Joyce in 1901

• Bats Right, Throws Left
• Height 5' 11", Weight 185 lb.
• School East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University
• Debut September 20, 1901
• Final Game October 6, 1907
• Born September 7, 1877 in Maam, Ireland
• Died August 12, 1959 in Scranton, PA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Mike O'Neill is the brother of Jack O'Neill, Jim O'Neill, and Steve O'Neill. In addition to his playing career, he umpired one National League game in 1904.

Mike was the second oldest of the O'Neill boys, and one of two born in Ireland. He came to the majors first, however. Brother Jack broke in with the 1902 Cardinals and became a teammate of Mike's, thus creating the first MLB brother battery. On June 3rd that season, Mike hit a 9th inning grand slam as a pinch-hitter for a come-from-behind 11 - 9 Cardinals win over the Boston Beaneaters. It is the first known pinch grand slam in major league history. Only five other modern era pitchers have also recorded pinch grand slams.

Mike had pitched in only one minor league game before making a successful major league debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1901, completing all four of his starts and posting a 1.32 ERA with 0.951 WHIP. He had another solid season the next year, logging 288 1/3 IP and posting a 16-15 record with a 2.90 ERA, while leading the Cardinals with 3.8 combined WAR as pitcher and outfielder. O'Neill struggled in 1903, but rebounded with a stellar 1904 campaign, compiling 4.0 combined WAR while posting a 2.09 ERA over 220 IP. Mike finished his major league career in 1907 with 9 games as an outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds.

O'Neill had a long minor league career which didn't end until 1918, when he was 40. After his major league days, he was mostly a position player in the minors. He was a player-manager during eight of those minor league seasons, and then years later was solely a manager for two seasons. In 1910, as manager for the Elmira Colonels, he offered brother Steve his first pro contract.

Career Highlights

• Pitched two-hit shutout for St. Louis Cardinals against Philadelphia Phillies on September 27, 1901.
• Hit first known pinch grand slam in major league history, for St. Louis Cardinals against Boston Beaneaters on June 3, 1902.

Notable Achievements

• 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1902)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 2 (1902 & 1904)

Year-by-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Notes
1910	Elmira Colonels	New York State League	76-57	3rd
1912	Utica Utes	New York State League	82-57	1st League Champs
1913	Utica Utes	New York State League	74-65	4th
1914	Utica Utes	New York State League	77-55	3rd
1915	Syracuse Stars	New York State League	60-60	5th
1916	Syracuse Stars	New York State League	81-52	1st League Champs
1917	Syracuse Stars	New York State League	64-51	3rd
1918	Shreveport Gassers	Texas League	35-53	6th	League suspended operations July 7
1928	Syracuse Stars	New York-Penn League	67-74	6th
1929	Scranton Miners	New York-Penn League	64-75	6th