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Jack O'Brien (MLB outfielder)
Encyclopedia
John Joseph O'Brien was an outfielder
in Major League Baseball
. Between 1899
and , O'Brien played with the Washington Senators
in the National League
(1899), and for the Washington Senators
(1901), Cleveland Blues
(1901), and Boston Americans
(1903) of the American League
. A native of Watervliet, New York
, he batted left-handed
and threw right-handed.
O'Brien spent part of two seasons with the Washington teams and Cleveland before moving to Boston. His most productive season came in 1899 as a rookie, he posted hit .282 and reached career-highs in home run
s (6), RBI
(51), runs
(68), stolen base
s (17) and games played
(127). But he is best remembered as the first player to pinch-hit in a World Series
game, when he struck out
for Boston catcher Lou Criger
in the 9th inning of Game One of the 1903
series against Pittsburgh
. What O'Brien was unique in the true meaning of the word, and had the chance of remaining so forever despite his brief and undistinguished career. He was a .259 hitter in 326 games, including nine home runs with 133 RBI and 171 runs.
O'Brien died his homeland of Watervliet at the age of 60.
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...
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...
. Between 1899
1899 in baseball
-National League final standings:-Events:*May 15 - Willie Keeler, known as one of the smallest players and best bunters in baseball, drives the ball past startled left fielder Ed Delahanty of the Philadelphia Phillies for an inside-the-park grand slam and an 8–5 victory for the Brooklyn...
and , O'Brien played with the 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 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...
(1899), and for the Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
(1901), Cleveland Blues
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
(1901), and Boston Americans
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(1903) of the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
. A native of Watervliet, New York
Watervliet, New York
Watervliet is a city in Albany County in the US state of New York. The population was 10,254 as of the 2010 census. Watervliet is north of Albany, the capital of the state, and is bordered on the north, west, and south by the town of Colonie. The city is also known as "the Arsenal City".- History...
, he batted left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
and threw right-handed.
O'Brien spent part of two seasons with the Washington teams and Cleveland before moving to Boston. His most productive season came in 1899 as a rookie, he posted hit .282 and reached career-highs in 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 (6), RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
(51), runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
(68), 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 (17) and games played
Games 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,...
(127). But he is best remembered as the first player to pinch-hit in a World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
game, when he struck out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
for Boston catcher Lou Criger
Lou Criger
Louis Criger was a Major League Baseball player for the Cleveland Spiders , St. Louis Cardinals , Boston Americans/Red Sox , St. Louis Browns , and the New York Highlanders .Criger became the first Opening Day catcher in Boston American League franchise's history...
in the 9th inning of Game One of the 1903
1903 World Series
The 1903 World Series was the first modern World Series to be played in Major League Baseball. It matched the Boston Americans of the American League against the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League in a best-of-nine series, with Boston prevailing five games to three, winning the last...
series against Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. What O'Brien was unique in the true meaning of the word, and had the chance of remaining so forever despite his brief and undistinguished career. He was a .259 hitter in 326 games, including nine home runs with 133 RBI and 171 runs.
O'Brien died his homeland of Watervliet at the age of 60.