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Jack Doyle (baseball)
Encyclopedia
John Joseph "Jack" Doyle (October 25, 1869 – December 31, 1958) was an Irish
-American
first baseman
in Major League Baseball
whose career spanned 17 seasons, mainly in the National League
.
He was born in Killorglin
, Ireland
, and emigrated
to the U.S. when he was a child, his family settling in Holyoke, Massachusetts
.
, he embarked on a baseball career that would last 70 years. He made his first appearance at the major league
level by signing and playing two years for the Columbus Solons
of the American Association
. Doyle would play for ten clubs from -, batting
.299 in 1,564 games with 516 stolen base
s. He began as a catcher
-outfielder
and became a first baseman
in . His best years were in 1894, when he batted .367 for the New York Giants
, and in , when he hit .354 with 62 stolen bases for the Baltimore Orioles
. He is credited with being the first pinch-hitter in pro ball, with Cleveland
at Brooklyn
on June 7, . Patsy Tebeau
was the manager
and Doyle came through with a game-winning single
.
For the season, he took over the everyday duties at first base and became team captain
. Manager John Montgomery Ward
not only make the decision to replace his former teammate and friend Roger Connor
, but released him as well. Connor was a very popular player, and this decision drew the ire and scrutiny from the fans and media alike. Ward defended his decision, and claimed the move came down to the fact that he liked Doyle's playing style, describing him as a hustler
. Replacing Connor at first base proved worth the risk as Jack batted .367 that season, and he totaled 100 runs batted in, and stole 42 bases.
, fans
, opposing players, and even, at times, his own teammates. On one occasion, in Cincinnati on July 4, , while in the 3rd inning of the second game of a doubleheader, Doyle slugged umpire Bob Emslie
after being called out on a steal attempt. Fans jumped from the stands as the two got into it, and players finally separated the two fighters. Two policemen
chased the fans back into the stands and then arrest
ed and fined Doyle. On July 1, , when he was being harassed by a Polo Grounds
fan, he jumped into the stands and hit him once with his left hand, reinjuring it after having broken it several weeks earlier.
He carried on a lengthy feud with John McGraw that started when they were teammates at Baltimore. McGraw, of course, had to have the last word. In , McGraw was appointed manager of the Giants, and his first act was to release Doyle, even though he was batting .301 and fielding
.991 at the time. Even with these seemingly out-of-control traits, Doyle was deemed a natural leader and was selected as team captain in New York, Brooklyn and Chicago
, and served as an interim manager for the Giants in and Washington Senators
in .
, Doyle became manager of Toledo of the Western Association
. One year later, in , he was named the manager of the Des Moines Champions, so named because they won the league championship the previous year, and they won it again under Doyle's helm. Following his championship season at Des Moines, he managed Milwaukee in
of his hometown of Holyoke. Doyle returned to the game as an umpire and worked in the National League for 42 games in . Later on he would join the Chicago Cubs
as a scout in . In his many years with the Cubs, Doyle was credited with signing or recommending the acquisition of such stars as Gabby Hartnett
, Hack Wilson
, Billy Herman
, Stan Hack
, Bill Jurges, Charlie Root
, Bill Lee
, Augie Galan
, Riggs Stephenson
and Phil Cavarretta
. He remained in that capacity until his death at age 89 on New Year's Eve 1958. He was buried at St. Jerome Cemetery in Holyoke.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
-American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
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...
whose career spanned 17 seasons, mainly in 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...
.
He was born in Killorglin
Killorglin
Killorglin is a town in County Kerry, Ireland. It is located on the river Laune, which has a rowing club and a new boathouse. The population of Killorglin is 4,150 although this expands considerably during Puck Fair due to visitors and returning emigrants.Killorglin is a major activity centre...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and emigrated
Immigration to the United States
Immigration to the United States has been a major source of population growth and cultural change throughout much of the history of the United States. The economic, social, and political aspects of immigration have caused controversy regarding ethnicity, economic benefits, jobs for non-immigrants,...
to the U.S. when he was a child, his family settling in Holyoke, Massachusetts
Holyoke, Massachusetts
Holyoke is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States, between the western bank of the Connecticut River and the Mount Tom Range of mountains. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a population of 39,880...
.
Playing career
After attending Fordham UniversityFordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
, he embarked on a baseball career that would last 70 years. He made his first appearance at the major league
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...
level by signing and playing two years for the Columbus Solons
Columbus Solons
The Columbus Solons were a baseball team in the American Association from 1889 to 1891. In three seasons, they won 200 games and lost 209 for a winning percentage of .489. Their home games were played at Recreation Park in Columbus, Ohio....
of the American Association
American Association (19th century)
The American Association was a Major League Baseball league that existed for 10 seasons from to . During that time, it challenged the National League for dominance of professional baseball...
. Doyle would play for ten clubs from -, batting
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 :...
.299 in 1,564 games with 516 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s. He began 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...
-outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
and became a first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
in . His best years were in 1894, when he batted .367 for 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....
, and in , when he hit .354 with 62 stolen bases for the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles (19th century)
The Baltimore Orioles were a 19th-century American Association and National League team from 1882 to 1899. The club, which featured numerous future Hall of Famers, finished in first place three consecutive years and won the Temple Cup championship in 1896 and 1897...
. He is credited with being the first pinch-hitter in pro ball, with Cleveland
Cleveland Spiders
The Cleveland Spiders were a Major League Baseball team which played between 1887 and 1899 in Cleveland, Ohio. The team played at National League Park from 1889 to 1890 and at League Park from 1891 to 1899.- 1887-1891 :...
at Brooklyn
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
on June 7, . Patsy Tebeau
Patsy Tebeau
Oliver Wendell Tebeau was an American first and third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. Tebeau batted and threw right-handed. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri....
was the 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...
and Doyle came through with a game-winning single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
.
For the season, he took over the everyday duties at first base and became team captain
. Manager John Montgomery Ward
John Montgomery Ward
John Montgomery Ward , known as Monte Ward, was an American Major League Baseball pitcher, shortstop and manager. Ward was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Renovo, Pennsylvania...
not only make the decision to replace his former teammate and friend Roger Connor
Roger Connor
Roger Connor was a 19th century Major League Baseball player, born in Waterbury, Connecticut. Known for being the player whom Babe Ruth succeeded as the all-time home run champion, Connor hit 138 home runs during his 18-year career, and his career home run record stood for 23 years after his...
, but released him as well. Connor was a very popular player, and this decision drew the ire and scrutiny from the fans and media alike. Ward defended his decision, and claimed the move came down to the fact that he liked Doyle's playing style, describing him as a hustler
Hustler
Hustler is a monthly pornographic magazine aimed at men and published in the United States. It was first published in 1974 by Larry Flynt. It was a step forward from the Hustler Newsletter which was cheap advertising for his strip club businesses at the time. The magazine grew from a shaky start to...
. Replacing Connor at first base proved worth the risk as Jack batted .367 that season, and he totaled 100 runs batted in, and stole 42 bases.
Dirty Jack
Because of his aggressive playing style, Doyle was known as “Dirty Jack,” often feuding with umpiresUmpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
, fans
Fan (person)
A Fan, sometimes also called aficionado or supporter, is a person with a liking and enthusiasm for something, such as a band or a sports team. Fans of a particular thing or person constitute its fanbase or fandom...
, opposing players, and even, at times, his own teammates. On one occasion, in Cincinnati on July 4, , while in the 3rd inning of the second game of a doubleheader, Doyle slugged umpire Bob Emslie
Bob Emslie
Robert Daniel Emslie was a Canadian pitcher in Major League Baseball who went on to set numerous records for longevity as an umpire...
after being called out on a steal attempt. Fans jumped from the stands as the two got into it, and players finally separated the two fighters. Two policemen
Police officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
chased the fans back into the stands and then arrest
Arrest
An arrest is the act of depriving a person of his or her liberty usually in relation to the purported investigation and prevention of crime and presenting into the criminal justice system or harm to oneself or others...
ed and fined Doyle. On July 1, , when he was being harassed by a Polo Grounds
Polo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...
fan, he jumped into the stands and hit him once with his left hand, reinjuring it after having broken it several weeks earlier.
He carried on a lengthy feud with John McGraw that started when they were teammates at Baltimore. McGraw, of course, had to have the last word. In , McGraw was appointed manager of the Giants, and his first act was to release Doyle, even though he was batting .301 and fielding
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...
.991 at the time. Even with these seemingly out-of-control traits, Doyle was deemed a natural leader and was selected as team captain in New York, Brooklyn and Chicago
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...
, and served as an interim manager for the Giants in and Washington Senators
Washington Senators (1891-1899)
The Washington Senators were a 19th century baseball team. The team was also known as the Washington Statesmen and the Washington Nationals. The team played at Boundary Field....
in .
Minor league success
In 1905, after playing one game with the New York HighlandersNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, Doyle became manager of Toledo of the Western Association
Western Association
The Western Association was the name of five different leagues in American minor league baseball during the 19th and 20th centuries.The oldest league, originally established as the Northwestern League in 1883, was refounded as the Western Association on October 28, 1887...
. One year later, in , he was named the manager of the Des Moines Champions, so named because they won the league championship the previous year, and they won it again under Doyle's helm. Following his championship season at Des Moines, he managed Milwaukee in
Other career capacities
In 1908-09, the only years of his adult life spent outside of baseball, he served as police commissionerPolice commissioner
Commissioner is a senior rank used in many police forces and may be rendered Police Commissioner or Commissioner of Police. In some organizations, the commissioner is a political appointee, and may or may not actually be a professional police officer. In these circumstances, there is often a...
of his hometown of Holyoke. Doyle returned to the game as an umpire and worked in the National League for 42 games in . Later on he would join 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...
as a scout in . In his many years with the Cubs, Doyle was credited with signing or recommending the acquisition of such stars as 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...
, Hack Wilson
Hack Wilson
Lewis Robert "Hack" Wilson was an American professional baseball player who played 12 seasons with the New York Giants, Chicago Cubs, Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies...
, Billy Herman
Billy Herman
William Jennings Bryan "Billy" Herman was an American second baseman in Major League Baseball during the 1930s and 1940s. He was known for his stellar defense and consistent batting...
, Stan Hack
Stan Hack
Stanley Camfield Hack , nicknamed "Smiling Stan," was an American third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Chicago Cubs and was the National League's top third baseman in the late 1930s and early 1940s...
, Bill Jurges, Charlie Root
Charlie Root
Charles Henry Root was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs for sixteen seasons from 1926 through 1941. He holds the club record for games, innings pitched, and career wins with 201....
, Bill Lee
Bill Lee (right-handed pitcher)
William Crutcher "Big Bill" Lee was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1934 through 1947 for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, and Boston Braves....
, Augie Galan
Augie Galan
August John Galan was a left fielder in Major League Baseball. From 1934 through 1949, he played for the Chicago Cubs , Brooklyn Dodgers , Cincinnati Reds , New York Giants and Philadelphia Athletics . Galan threw right-handed and began his career as a switch hitter...
, Riggs Stephenson
Riggs Stephenson
Jackson Riggs Stephenson was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball. Nicknamed Old Hoss, Stephenson played for the Cleveland Indians from to and the rest of his career from to with the Chicago Cubs...
and Phil Cavarretta
Phil Cavarretta
Philip Joseph Cavarretta was an American Major League Baseball first baseman, outfielder, and manager.Cavarretta spent almost his entire baseball career with the Chicago Cubs. He was voted the National League Most Valuable Player after leading the Cubs to the pennant while winning the batting...
. He remained in that capacity until his death at age 89 on New Year's Eve 1958. He was buried at St. Jerome Cemetery in Holyoke.
Honors
In the Irish Baseball League, the annual award for best slugger is named "The 'Dirty' Jack Doyle Silver Slugger Award.See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases
- List of players from Ireland in Major League Baseball