Steve O'Neill
Encyclopedia
Stephen Francis O'Neill (July 6, 1891 – January 26, 1962) was an American
catcher
, manager
, coach
and scout in Major League Baseball
.
Born to Irish immigrants in Minooka, Pennsylvania (now a part of Scranton
), O'Neill was one of six brothers who escaped a life in the coal mines by playing in the major leagues. Other notable members of the O'Neill family were Jack
, a catcher in the National League
(1902–06); Mike
, a right-handed pitcher in the NL (1901–04, 1907); and Jim, an infielder with the American League
Washington Senators
(1920, 1923). Baseball historian William C. Kashatus noted that Michael and Jack "would become the first brother battery in major league history". The O'Neill brothers "were known to exchange their signals in Gaelic
in order to fool the opposing coaches". Later, two of Steve O'Neill’s daughters married professional baseball players, one of whom was Skeeter Webb
, who worked for O'Neill when he managed the Detroit Tigers
during the 1940s.
Steve had by far the most successful playing career of the O'Neill brothers, serving as a catcher for 17 years in the American League. He played with the Cleveland Indians
(1911–23), Boston Red Sox
(1924), New York Yankees
(1925), and St. Louis Browns
(1927–28). His playing career curtailed by an injury sustained in a car accident, O'Neill compiled a batting average
of .263 in 1,586 games, and, in his only World Series
appearance in 1920
, hit .333 in seven games as the backstop for the world champion Indians.
When his playing career ended, O'Neill turned to managing and gained a reputation for cultivating talented young players, some of whom went on to become Hall of Famers. He managed the Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League
from 1929 to 1931. As a major league manager with four teams—the Indians (1935–37), Tigers (1943–48), Red Sox (1950–51) and Philadelphia Phillies
(1952–54)—O'Neill never had a losing record. His Tigers won the 1945 World Series
(when they defeated the Chicago Cubs
in the Cubs’ last Fall Classic appearance) and O’Neill was known for turning around under-performing teams, often in mid-season. His career winning percentage over 14 seasons was a stalwart .559 (1,040 victories against 821 lost). He also served as a coach for Cleveland, Detroit and Boston. Legendary players who benefited from O'Neill's guidance included Lou Boudreau
, Bob Feller
, Hal Newhouser
, and Robin Roberts. O'Neill was inducted into the International League Hall of Fame.
O'Neill died at age 70 in Cleveland, Ohio
, after suffering a heart attack
. He is buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Minooka.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
, 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...
, coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
and scout 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...
.
Born to Irish immigrants in Minooka, Pennsylvania (now a part of Scranton
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Scranton is a city in the northeastern part of Pennsylvania, United States. It is the county seat of Lackawanna County and the largest principal city in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area. Scranton had a population of 76,089 in 2010, according to the U.S...
), O'Neill was one of six brothers who escaped a life in the coal mines by playing in the major leagues. Other notable members of the O'Neill family were Jack
Jack O'Neill (baseball)
John Joseph "Jack" O'Neill was catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals , Chicago Cubs and Boston Beaneaters . He batted and threw right-handed....
, a catcher 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...
(1902–06); Mike
Mike O'Neill (baseball player)
Michael Joyce O'Neill was a starting pitcher and left fielder in Major League Baseball. From 1901 through 1907, he played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds . O'Neill batted and threw right-handed...
, a right-handed pitcher in the NL (1901–04, 1907); and Jim, an infielder with 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...
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...
(1920, 1923). Baseball historian William C. Kashatus noted that Michael and Jack "would become the first brother battery in major league history". The O'Neill brothers "were known to exchange their signals in Gaelic
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
in order to fool the opposing coaches". Later, two of Steve O'Neill’s daughters married professional baseball players, one of whom was Skeeter Webb
Skeeter Webb
James Laverne "Skeeter" Webb was a Major League Baseball infielder who played twelve season in the major leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals , Cleveland Indians , Chicago White Sox , Detroit Tigers , and Philadelphia Athletics...
, who worked for O'Neill when he managed the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
during the 1940s.
Steve had by far the most successful playing career of the O'Neill brothers, serving as a catcher for 17 years in the American League. He played with the Cleveland Indians
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...
(1911–23), Boston Red Sox
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"...
(1924), New York Yankees
New 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...
(1925), and St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
(1927–28). His playing career curtailed by an injury sustained in a car accident, O'Neill compiled a 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 :...
of .263 in 1,586 games, and, in his only 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...
appearance in 1920
1920 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 5, 1920 at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York-Game 2:Wednesday, October 6, 1920 at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York-Game 3:Thursday, October 7, 1920 at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York-Game 4:...
, hit .333 in seven games as the backstop for the world champion Indians.
When his playing career ended, O'Neill turned to managing and gained a reputation for cultivating talented young players, some of whom went on to become Hall of Famers. He managed the Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
from 1929 to 1931. As a major league manager with four teams—the Indians (1935–37), Tigers (1943–48), Red Sox (1950–51) and Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(1952–54)—O'Neill never had a losing record. His Tigers won the 1945 World Series
1945 World Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 3, 1945 at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, Michigan-Game 2:Thursday, October 4, 1945 at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, Michigan-Game 3:Friday, October 5, 1945 at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, Michigan...
(when they defeated 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...
in the Cubs’ last Fall Classic appearance) and O’Neill was known for turning around under-performing teams, often in mid-season. His career winning percentage over 14 seasons was a stalwart .559 (1,040 victories against 821 lost). He also served as a coach for Cleveland, Detroit and Boston. Legendary players who benefited from O'Neill's guidance included Lou Boudreau
Lou Boudreau
Louis "Lou" Boudreau was an American Major League Baseball player and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970...
, Bob Feller
Bob Feller
On December 8, 1941, Feller enlisted in the Navy, volunteering immediately for combat service, becoming the first Major League Baseball player to do so following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. Feller served as Gun Captain aboard the USS Alabama, and missed four seasons during his service...
, Hal Newhouser
Hal Newhouser
Harold "Prince Hal" Newhouser was an American pitcher for Major League Baseball who played 17 seasons from 1939 to 1955, mostly with the Detroit Tigers of the American League...
, and Robin Roberts. O'Neill was inducted into the International League Hall of Fame.
O'Neill died at age 70 in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
, after suffering a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
. He is buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Minooka.
Sources
External links
- Steve O'Neill at Find a GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...