Bob O'Farrell
Encyclopedia
Robert Arthur "Bob" O'Farrell (October 19, 1896 – February 20, 1988) was an American
professional
baseball
player and manager
. He played in Major League Baseball
as a catcher
for 21 seasons with the Chicago Cubs
, St. Louis Cardinals
and the New York Giants
. O'Farrell also played for the Cincinnati Reds
, albeit briefly. He was considered as one of the greatest defensive catchers of his generation.
where he grew up a Chicago White Sox
fan. He signed with the Cubs in 1915
after playing an exhibition game for his local semi-professional team. His first manager was former catcher, Roger Bresnahan
, who helped O'Farrell develop his catching skills. After a season on the bench, O'Farrell was sent to Three-I League where he spent two years before returning to the Cubs for the 1918
season. He served as backup catcher working behind Bill Killefer
as the Cubs went on to claim the National League
pennant before losing to the Boston Red Sox
in the 1918 World Series
. O'Farrell went hitless in three at bats during the series.
In 1920
O'Farrell caught the majority of the Cubs' games and posting a .248 batting average
as, Killefer was injured during the season. He began the 1921
season as backup catcher until August when, Killefer was named the Cubs new manager. O'Farrell had a breakout season in 1922
when he hit for a .322 average along with 4 home run
s, 60 runs batted in and a .439 on base percentage
. He also became one of the best defensive catchers in baseball, leading National League catchers in games caught, putout
s, assists
, baserunners caught stealing
and in caught stealing percentage. He became skillful at framing pitches by moving his catcher's mitt towards the strike zone after having caught a pitch, in an effort to influence the umpire to call a strike. O'Farrell had an even better year offensively in 1923
, producing career-highs in home runs (12), runs batted in (80), stolen bases (10) along with a .319 batting average.
In July 1924
, O'Farrell suffered a fractured skull when a foul ball
broke his catcher's mask. He had asked a club house attendant to bring him a newer mask however, not wanting to delay the game, decided to continue to play with the older mask when he was struck in the head. He missed most of the season, and lost his job when future Baseball Hall of Famer Gabby Hartnett
played well in his absence. The Cubs decided to keep Hartnett as their starting catcher and traded O'Farrell to the St. Louis Cardinals at the start of the 1925
season for Mike Gonzalez and Howard Freigau
.
O'Farrell experienced the highlight of his career in 1926
when he hit for a .293 average with a career-high 30 doubles
, 7 home runs and 68 runs batted in as he helped the Cardinals clinch the National League pennant
. He also led National League catchers in games caught and in putouts. In the 1926 World Series
against the New York Yankees
, O'Farrell produced a .301 batting average but, is remembered for throwing out Babe Ruth
trying to steal second base for the last out
of the seven-game series as the Cardinals claimed their first-ever world championship. In November, he was voted the winner of the National League Most Valuable Player Award with 79 out of the possible 80 votes. He was the first catcher to win a Most Valuable Player Award.
In December , the Cardinals traded their manager Rogers Hornsby
to the New York Giants
for Frankie Frisch
and Jimmy Ring
while O'Farrell was named player-manager. He led the Cardinals to a second place finish, behind the Pittsburgh Pirates
even though the Cardinals won three more games than the previous season. He only played in 61 games that season because of a sore arm. The owner of the Cardinals at that time, Sam Breadon
was unhappy that the Cardinals didn't win the pennant, and that O'Farrell was leaving his pitchers in too long during games. He was given a $5,000 bonus to step down and replaced by Bill McKechnie
. O'Farrell was traded to the New York Giants for George Harper
in May 1928
. The trade caught many observers by surprise as, it left the Cardinals without an experienced catcher while the Giants had a surplus of catchers.
O'Farrell played as a part-time catcher for the Giants, sharing catching duties with Shanty Hogan
during John McGraw
's final four years as manager of the club. He hit for a .306 batting average in 1929
and followed that with a .301 average in 1930
. By the 1931
season, the 34 year old O'Farrell was past his prime as his batting average dipped to .224. In October 1932
, O'Farrell was traded back to the St. Louis Cardinals for catcher Gus Mancuso
as part of new Giants manager Bill Terry
's rebuilding campaign. He spent one season serving as backup catcher to Jimmie Wilson
before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds in January 1934
.
The General Manager of the Reds, Larry MacPhail
, named O'Farrel as the team's player-manager. By July, the Reds had fallen to last place in the National League standings and, on July 27, O'Farrell requested his unconditional release from the team. It was later reported that after the Reds had lost nine consecutive games, O'Farrell was engaged in a conversation with MacPhail when he quipped, "Well, you can't win 'em all." A supposedly infuriated MacPhail hired Charlie Dressen as the new Reds manager the following day. In August, he returned to the Chicago Cubs where he worked as a backup catcher to Gabby Hartnett. O'Farrell was released by the Cubs at the end of the year and signed to play with the Cardinals for the 1935
season. He appeared in only 14 games for the Cardinals, playing his final major league game on September 23 at the age of 38, and was released by the Cardinals in December . O'Farrell played two more seasons in the minor leagues
with the Rochester Red Wings
. In he managed the Bloomington Bloomers
before retiring from professional baseball at the age of 41.
, accumulating 1,120 hits
in 4,101 at bats for a .273 career batting average along with 51 home runs, 549 runs batted in and a .360 on base percentage. He finished his career with a .976 fielding percentage
. He led the National League three times in putouts and twice in assists.
After retirement he ran a bowling alley in Waukegan which was open for over 30 years. O'Farrell died in Waukegan at the age of 91.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player and manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
. He played in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
as a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
for 21 seasons with the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
and the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. O'Farrell also played for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, albeit briefly. He was considered as one of the greatest defensive catchers of his generation.
Baseball career
O'Farrell was born in Waukegan, IllinoisWaukegan, Illinois
Waukegan is a city and county seat of Lake County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 87,901. The 2010 population was 89,078. It is the ninth-largest city in Illinois by population...
where he grew up a Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
fan. He signed with the Cubs in 1915
1915 Chicago Cubs season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
after playing an exhibition game for his local semi-professional team. His first manager was former catcher, Roger Bresnahan
Roger Bresnahan
Roger Philip Bresnahan , nicknamed "The Duke of Tralee" for his Irish roots, was an American player in Major League Baseball who starred primarily as a catcher and a player-manager...
, who helped O'Farrell develop his catching skills. After a season on the bench, O'Farrell was sent to Three-I League where he spent two years before returning to the Cubs for the 1918
1918 Chicago Cubs season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
season. He served as backup catcher working behind Bill Killefer
Bill Killefer
William Killefer , was an American professional baseball player, coach and manager who had a 48-year career in Major League Baseball. Killefer, who was nicknamed "Reindeer Bill" due to his speed afoot, played as a catcher for the St. Louis Browns, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs...
as the Cubs went on to claim the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
pennant before losing to the Boston Red Sox
1918 Boston Red Sox season
The 1918 Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing 1st in the American League with a record of 75 wins and 51 losses. The season was cut short due to World War I. They defeated the Chicago Cubs in 6 games in the World Series...
in the 1918 World Series
1918 World Series
The 1918 World Series featured the Boston Red Sox, who defeated the Chicago Cubs four games to two. The Series victory for the Red Sox was their fifth in five tries, going back to . The Red Sox scored only nine runs in the entire Series; the fewest runs by the winning team in World Series history...
. O'Farrell went hitless in three at bats during the series.
In 1920
1920 Chicago Cubs season
- Offseason :* February, 1920: Fred Lear was purchased from the Cubs by the New York Giants.- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in...
O'Farrell caught the majority of the Cubs' games and posting a .248 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
as, Killefer was injured during the season. He began the 1921
1921 Chicago Cubs season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
season as backup catcher until August when, Killefer was named the Cubs new manager. O'Farrell had a breakout season in 1922
1922 Chicago Cubs season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
when he hit for a .322 average along with 4 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, 60 runs batted in and a .439 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
. He also became one of the best defensive catchers in baseball, leading National League catchers in games caught, putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
s, assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
, baserunners caught stealing
Caught stealing
In baseball, a runner is charged, and the fielders involved are credited, with a time caught stealing when the runner attempts to advance or lead off from one base to another without the ball being batted and then is tagged out by a fielder while making the attempt...
and in caught stealing percentage. He became skillful at framing pitches by moving his catcher's mitt towards the strike zone after having caught a pitch, in an effort to influence the umpire to call a strike. O'Farrell had an even better year offensively in 1923
1923 Chicago Cubs season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
, producing career-highs in home runs (12), runs batted in (80), stolen bases (10) along with a .319 batting average.
In July 1924
1924 Chicago Cubs season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
, O'Farrell suffered a fractured skull when a foul ball
Foul ball
In baseball, a foul ball is a batted ball that:* Settles on foul territory between home and first base or between home and third base, or* Bounds past first or third base on or over foul territory, or...
broke his catcher's mask. He had asked a club house attendant to bring him a newer mask however, not wanting to delay the game, decided to continue to play with the older mask when he was struck in the head. He missed most of the season, and lost his job when future Baseball Hall of Famer Gabby Hartnett
Gabby Hartnett
Charles Leo "Gabby" Hartnett was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played almost his entire career in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Chicago Cubs. Until the career of Johnny Bench, Hartnett was considered the greatest catcher in the history of the National League...
played well in his absence. The Cubs decided to keep Hartnett as their starting catcher and traded O'Farrell to the St. Louis Cardinals at the start of the 1925
1925 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 44th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 34th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 77-76 during the season and finished 4th in the National League.- Regular season :...
season for Mike Gonzalez and Howard Freigau
Howard Freigau
Howard Earl Freigau , is a former professional baseball player who played third base from 1922-1928. He attended college at Ohio Wesleyan University. He died from drowning in 1932....
.
O'Farrell experienced the highlight of his career in 1926
1926 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 45th season in St. Louis, Missouri and their 35th in the National League. The Cardinals went 89-65 during the season and finished first in the National League, winning their first National League pennant...
when he hit for a .293 average with a career-high 30 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 7 home runs and 68 runs batted in as he helped the Cardinals clinch the National League pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
. He also led National League catchers in games caught and in putouts. In the 1926 World Series
1926 World Series
The 1926 World Series was the championship series of the 1926 Major League Baseball season, featuring the St. Louis Cardinals against the New York Yankees...
against the New York Yankees
1926 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the team's 24th season in New York, and its 26th season overall. The team finished with a record of 91-63, winning their fourth pennant, finishing three games ahead of the Cleveland Indians. New York was managed by Miller Huggins. The Yankees played at Yankee...
, O'Farrell produced a .301 batting average but, is remembered for throwing out Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
trying to steal second base for the last out
Out (baseball)
In baseball, an out occurs when the defensive, or fielding, team effects any of a number of different events, and the umpire rules a batter or baserunner out. When a player is called out, he is said to be retired...
of the seven-game series as the Cardinals claimed their first-ever world championship. In November, he was voted the winner of the National League Most Valuable Player Award with 79 out of the possible 80 votes. He was the first catcher to win a Most Valuable Player Award.
In December , the Cardinals traded their manager Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby, Sr. , nicknamed "The Rajah", was an American baseball infielder, manager, and coach who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball . He played for the St. Louis Cardinals , New York Giants , Boston Braves , Chicago Cubs , and St. Louis Browns...
to the New York Giants
1927 New York Giants (MLB) season
The New York Giants season was a season in American baseball. The team finished third in the National League with a record of 92-62, 2 games behind the Pittsburgh Pirates.- Offseason :...
for Frankie Frisch
Frankie Frisch
Francis “Frankie” Frisch , nicknamed the "Fordham Flash" or "The Old Flash", was a German American Major League Baseball player of the early twentieth century....
and Jimmy Ring
Jimmy Ring
James Joseph "Jimmy" Ring was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Giants and St. Louis Cardinals . Ring batted and threw right-handed.Ring was used sparingly by the Cincinnati Reds from 1917-18...
while O'Farrell was named player-manager. He led the Cardinals to a second place finish, behind the Pittsburgh Pirates
1927 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The 1927 Pittsburgh Pirates season was a season in American baseball. That year, the Pirates won the National League pennant, which was their second in three years and their last until 1960...
even though the Cardinals won three more games than the previous season. He only played in 61 games that season because of a sore arm. The owner of the Cardinals at that time, Sam Breadon
Sam Breadon
Samuel Breadon was an American executive who served as the president and majority owner of the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball from 1920 through 1947...
was unhappy that the Cardinals didn't win the pennant, and that O'Farrell was leaving his pitchers in too long during games. He was given a $5,000 bonus to step down and replaced by Bill McKechnie
Bill McKechnie
William Boyd McKechnie was an American third baseman, manager and coach in Major League Baseball. He was the first manager to win World Series titles with two different teams , and remains one of only two managers to win pennants with three teams, also capturing the National League title in 1928...
. O'Farrell was traded to the New York Giants for George Harper
George Harper (outfielder)
George Washington Harper , is a former professional baseball player who played outfield in the Major Leagues from 1916-1929. He played for the Detroit Tigers , Cincinnati Reds , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Giants , St. Louis Cardinals , and Boston Braves...
in May 1928
1928 New York Giants (MLB) season
- Offseason :* January 10, 1928: Rogers Hornsby was traded by the Giants to the Boston Braves for Shanty Hogan and Jimmy Welsh.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
. The trade caught many observers by surprise as, it left the Cardinals without an experienced catcher while the Giants had a surplus of catchers.
O'Farrell played as a part-time catcher for the Giants, sharing catching duties with Shanty Hogan
Shanty Hogan
James Francis "Shanty" Hogan was a Major League Baseball catcher from 1925 to 1937. Hogan was listed at 6'1", 240 pounds — an exceptionally large player, especially for his era. Due to this, there are many anecdotes relating to Hogan and food...
during John McGraw
John McGraw
John McGraw may refer to:* John McGraw , , New York lumber tycoon, and one of the founding trustees of Cornell University* John McGraw , , Governor of Washington state from 1893–1897...
's final four years as manager of the club. He hit for a .306 batting average in 1929
1929 New York Giants (MLB) season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
and followed that with a .301 average in 1930
1930 New York Giants (MLB) season
The New York Giants season was the 48th in franchise history. The team finished third in the National League with a record of 87-67, 5 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals.- Regular season :...
. By the 1931
1931 New York Giants (MLB) season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
season, the 34 year old O'Farrell was past his prime as his batting average dipped to .224. In October 1932
1932 New York Giants (MLB) season
The 1932 New York Giants season was a season in American baseball. The team finished tied for sixth in the National League, 18 games behind the Chicago Cubs.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, O'Farrell was traded back to the St. Louis Cardinals for catcher Gus Mancuso
Gus Mancuso
August Rodney Mancuso , nicknamed "Blackie", was a professional baseball player, coach, scout and radio sports commentator. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals , New York Giants , Chicago Cubs , Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies...
as part of new Giants manager Bill Terry
Bill Terry
William Harold Terry was a Major League Baseball first baseman and manager. Considered one of the greatest players of all time, Terry was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1954. In 1999, he ranked number 59 on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, and was a nominee...
's rebuilding campaign. He spent one season serving as backup catcher to Jimmie Wilson
Jimmie Wilson
James Wilson , nicknamed "Ace," was an American professional athlete in soccer and baseball.He began his professional sports career as a soccer outside right in the National Association Football League and American Soccer League before becoming a catcher, manager and coach in Major League Baseball...
before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds in January 1934
1934 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. The team finished eighth and last in the National League with a record of 52-99, 42 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
.
The General Manager of the Reds, Larry MacPhail
Larry MacPhail
Leland Stanford "Larry" MacPhail, Sr. was an American lawyer, and an executive and innovator in Major League Baseball.-Biography:...
, named O'Farrel as the team's player-manager. By July, the Reds had fallen to last place in the National League standings and, on July 27, O'Farrell requested his unconditional release from the team. It was later reported that after the Reds had lost nine consecutive games, O'Farrell was engaged in a conversation with MacPhail when he quipped, "Well, you can't win 'em all." A supposedly infuriated MacPhail hired Charlie Dressen as the new Reds manager the following day. In August, he returned to the Chicago Cubs where he worked as a backup catcher to Gabby Hartnett. O'Farrell was released by the Cubs at the end of the year and signed to play with the Cardinals for the 1935
1935 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 54th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 44th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 96-58 during the season and finished 2nd in the National League.- Offseason :...
season. He appeared in only 14 games for the Cardinals, playing his final major league game on September 23 at the age of 38, and was released by the Cardinals in December . O'Farrell played two more seasons in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
with the Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
. In he managed the Bloomington Bloomers
Bloomington Bloomers
The Bloomington Bloomers were an Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League team based in Bloomington, Illinois that existed on-and-off from 1903 to 1939. In 1935, they were affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals, and in 1939 they were affiliated with the Milwaukee Brewers...
before retiring from professional baseball at the age of 41.
Career statistics
In a 21 year career, O'Farrell played in 1,492 gamesGames played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
, accumulating 1,120 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 4,101 at bats for a .273 career batting average along with 51 home runs, 549 runs batted in and a .360 on base percentage. He finished his career with a .976 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
. He led the National League three times in putouts and twice in assists.
After retirement he ran a bowling alley in Waukegan which was open for over 30 years. O'Farrell died in Waukegan at the age of 91.
External links
- Baseball reference
Accomplishments