John O'Connell (catcher)
Encyclopedia
John Charles O'Connell (June 13, 1904 – October 17, 1992) was a baseball player for Major League Baseball
. His career was short, and he only played for three games as a catcher
in two different seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates
in their 1928
and 1929 season
. O'Connell was one of five catchers on the roster in 1928 and among four in 1929, and he saw very little playing time with Charlie Hargreaves
serving as the starting catcher on the team those years. Prior to joining the Pirates, O'Connell attended Duquesne University
.
He made his major league debut on August 16, 1928 at the age of 24. He played only a few innings and batted only once. It was the only game he played during the 1928 season. He returned near the end of the 1929 season and played two more games for the Pittsburgh Pirates, where his only hit in seven at bat
s was a double
, in which he would score a run
. He did not return for the 1930 season and never played in Major League Baseball again. His career stats include three games played, eight at bats, one run, one hit
(a double), one base on balls
, one strikeout
, and a .125 batting average
. O'Connell died in Canton, Ohio
on October 17, 1992 at the age of 88.
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...
. His career was short, and he only played for three games 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...
in two different seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates
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...
in their 1928
1928 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 47th season in franchise history. The team scored the most runs in the National League. However, they also allowed the third most and slipped down to fourth place in the standings.-Offseason:...
and 1929 season
1929 Pittsburgh Pirates 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'Connell was one of five catchers on the roster in 1928 and among four in 1929, and he saw very little playing time with Charlie Hargreaves
Charlie Hargreaves
Charles Russell Hargreaves , is a former professional baseball player who played catcher from 1923-1930.-External links:...
serving as the starting catcher on the team those years. Prior to joining the Pirates, O'Connell attended Duquesne University
Duquesne University
Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Duquesne first opened its doors as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost in October 1878 with an enrollment of...
.
He made his major league debut on August 16, 1928 at the age of 24. He played only a few innings and batted only once. It was the only game he played during the 1928 season. He returned near the end of the 1929 season and played two more games for the Pittsburgh Pirates, where his only hit in seven at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s was a double
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....
, in which he would score a run
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...
. He did not return for the 1930 season and never played in Major League Baseball again. His career stats include three games played, eight at bats, one run, one hit
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....
(a double), one base on balls
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
, one strikeout
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....
, and a .125 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 :...
. O'Connell died in Canton, Ohio
Canton, Ohio
Canton is the county seat of Stark County in northeastern Ohio, approximately south of Akron and south of Cleveland.The City of Caton is the largest incorporated area within the Canton-Massillon Metropolitan Statistical Area...
on October 17, 1992 at the age of 88.