O’ Boys: A Baseball Team of Irishmen For St Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day just wasn’t the same this year in the city of Cincinnati. One of its most popular Irish residents, Jim O’ Toole, passed away last December.

O’ Toole was the ace of the Reds pitching staff in the early 1960s, and he even started several World Series games against the Yankees in the 1961 Fall Classic. That was the season the left hander won 19 games with a 3.10 earned run average while logging 252 innings for the National League champions.

After earning 94 victories in his nine year career with Cincinnati, O’ Toole spent his last season with the Chicago White Sox in 1968. As soon as he retired, he returned to Cincinnati, which is where he spent the rest of his life. Most people in the Queen City, especially those who were too young to get to see him pitch, became acquainted with O’ Toole through his eleven children.

O’ Toole may not have been the greatest Irish pitcher of all-time, but he would certainly make any roster of players whose last names begin with the famous “O” followed by an apostrophe. Here are the possible teammates who would start with him on such a team.

Catcher, Charlie O’ Brien

In a long career, he played for the Brewers, Mets and six other teams from 1985-2000.

First Base, Pete O’ Brien

The left handed hitter manned the number three position for the Rangers of the eighties.

Second Base, Danny O’ Connell

A versatile middle infielder, he also played third and short with a number of teams from 1950-62.

Shortstop, Frank O ‘ Rourke

This Irishman had a career that spanned from 1912 to 1931, consisting of stints with Boston, Detroit, Brooklyn, Washington and St. Louis.

Third Base, Tom O’ Malley

In the eighties and nineties, he suited up for six different teams at the hot corner.

Left Field, Lefty O’ Doull

This all-star left fielder finished second in Most Valuable Player voting as a member of Philadelphia in 1929, when he hit 32 home runs with 122 RBI while leading the league with a .398 batting average. Even more impressive is his career average of .349.

Center Field, Troy O’ Leary

Most of his eleven years were spent with Boston, the best of which was 1999. He hit 28 home runs, drove in 103, and batted .280.

Right Field, Paul O’ Neill

After winning the 1990 World Series with Cincinnati, O’ Neill became a huge part of the Yankee dynasty that dominated the rest of that decade.

Designated Hitter, Jim O’ Rourke

Splitting time between catcher and outfield, he played for eight teams from 1870-1904.

Pitcher, Hank O’ Day

This Hall of Fame pitcher dominated in the early years of the Big Leagues, playing from 1884 until 1890.

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