Jack O'Connor (catcher) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jack O'Connor
Catcher / Outfielder / Manager
Born: (1866-06-02)June 2, 1866 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Died: November 14, 1937(1937-11-14) (aged 71) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
April 20, 1887, for the Cincinnati Red Stockings
Last appearance
October 9, 1910, for the St. Louis Browns
MLB statistics
Batting average	.263
Home runs	19
Runs batted in	738
Stolen bases	219
Managerial record	47–107
Winning %	.305
Teams
As player Cincinnati Red Stockings (1887–1888) Columbus Solons (1889–1891) Cleveland Spiders (1892–1898) St. Louis Perfectos/Cardinals (1899–1900) Pittsburgh Pirates (1900–1902) New York Highlanders (1903) St. Louis Browns (1904, 1906–1907, 1910) As manager St. Louis Browns (1910)

John Joseph O'Connor (June 2, 1866 – November 14, 1937), also known as Peach Pie, was an American utility player in Major League Baseball in the American Association, the National League, and the American League, primarily used as an outfielder. O'Connor appeared in games across four decades.

O'Connor was involved in a scandal in 1910 when, as player-manager of the St. Louis Browns, he attempted to help Nap Lajoie win the batting title over Ty Cobb. O'Connor ordered a rookie third baseman to play in a position that allowed Lajoie to bunt and reach first base easily. Later, O'Connor and a coach tried to bribe the official scorer to change a call to a hit. Although Cobb won the title, the scandal led to an investigation, and O'Connor and the coach were fired and informally banned from baseball for life. Research in 1981 revealed that Cobb's statistics were incorrectly counted, and Lajoie should have won the batting title.

Career

O'Connor began his career as a left fielder and catcher for the Cincinnati Red Stockings, and he soon moved his way around the infield. He also played for the Columbus Solons from 1889 to 1891, and in 1892, he joined the Cleveland Spiders, where he would stay until 1898, when the owners of the St. Louis Browns were buying their players from the Spiders, who ceased to exist in 1899. O'Connor moved west to play with the Perfectos until 10 games into the 1900 season, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He played one season with the New York Highlanders before finishing his career back in St. Louis with the Browns. O'Connor is one of only 29 players in baseball history to date who have appeared in Major League games in four decades.

Managerial record

See also

• List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders
• List of Major League Baseball players who played in four decades