The Base Ball Life of Patrick O'Farrell

[hayesb26]

Excellent. Glad to see you went ahead with the trade. Should be fun to see how it pans out over the years.

[Big Six]

Thanks, hayesb. The results of the poll were clearly in favor of the trade, by more than a 2:1 margin. I'd hae been fine with not making the deal, if that's the way the poll had turned out.

The opportunity to play around with some "what if" questions is one of the things that has been fun for me over the course of Pat's dynasty. That's why I decided to integrate some Negro League stars into the major leagues, and why I've allowed the "surprise stars" to emerge.

[Big Six]

Boston Herald, May 18, 1923

RED SOX WIN; JUDGE LOST FOR SEASON
First Baseman Tears Back Muscle
Gehrig Called Up From Providence

BOSTON--There was plenty of good news that emerged from yesterday's game against the Philadelphia Athletics. Hugh Bedient pitched a solid game, holding the potent Philadelphia batsmen to three runs on eight hits. Johnny Bassler drove in a pair of runs with a booming triple, and Max Carey had three hits. The Sox played errorless ball, and defeated the Athletics, 4-3. The victory enabled the Sox to move a full two games in front of the Detroit Tigers for first place in the American League.

However, a single piece of bad news cast a gloom over the Red Sox clubhouse after the game. In the fifth inning, first baseman Joe Judge leaped to snare a line drive off the bat of Jack Lelivelt. The sure-handed Judge made the play, but when he returned to earth, he crumpled into a heap, clutching his lower back.

Judge could not rise without assistance, and as he was helped off the field, his face was twisted in pain. He was taken immediately to the hospital, and by the time the game ended, word of his injury had reached manager Bill Carrigan and the other players. Judge has torn a muscle in his back, and will require surgery. He will not be able to return to action until next season.

Judge's injury means that new acquisition Lou Gehrig will make his Boston debut more quickly than anticipated. "Lou has played well in Providence," Carrigan explained. "He has spent the entire season in the Eastern League, and he is batting .324. We need a first baseman now, and Gehrig is the best one we have."

Gehrig, 19, will probably see the most action at the initial sack in Judge's absence, although the versatile Fred Snodgrass will also appear there, Carrigan said. The addition of Ray Schalk to the catching corps frees Snodgrass for duty elsewhere.

"It is not realistic to expect Lou Gehrig to carry this team yet," Carrigan cautioned. "That will be the job of the veterans. I believe Gehrig can help us stay on top, however."

[Carlton]

SO instead of being "Pipped" one will be "Judged" out of their position?



Oh and glad you got Cracker Schalk

Those who say he is not a HOFer are unenlightened,

BILL DICKEY  0.683 
GABBY HARTNETT  0.673 
MICKEY COCHRANE .627  
YOGI BERRA 0.630 
ROY CAMPANELLA 0.610 
JOHNNY BENCH 0.615 
MIKE PIAZZA 0.487 
GARY CARTER 0.658 
IVAN RODRIGUEZ 0.569 
JASON KENDALL 0.591 
WALLY SCHANG 0.493 
SPUD DAVIS 0.570 
JOE TORRE 0.458 
ROGER BRESNAHAN 0.518 
CARLTON FISK 0.507 
BILL FREEHAN 0.591 
CHIEF MEYERS 0.673 
SHERM LOLLAR 0.577 
RICK FERRELL 0.591 
CHARLES JOHNSON 0.724 
CHRIS HOILES 0.525 
ERNIE LOMBARDI 0.445 
CHARLIE BENNETT 0.592 
TED SIMMONS 0.424 
RAY SCHALK 0.806 

Just LOOK at that defensive ranking compared to other Catchers!

The DEFENSIVE Categories used were: Games Caught as a Percentage of Team's Games Played (GC), Assists per Game (A/G), Errors per Game (E/G), Fielding Average Minus League Fielding Average for Catchers (F-LFLD%), Doubleplays per Game (DP/G), and Passed Balls per Game (PB/G).

[Big Six]

When I saw Judge's season-ending injury come up, I literally said "NO WAY!" The question will be whether or not Gehrig, at 19, will be productive enough over the remainder of the season to take Judge's job. The "real" Gehrig didn't become a regular until 1925.

I'm not surprised that Schalk is at the top of that list, but how MUCH of an advantage he has over everybody, except maybe Charles Johnson, is amazing. I remember playing the All-Time All-Star board game when I was a kid. It rated players for defense on a scale from about -5 to +14, and I remember Schalk was WAY up there...+14, maybe.

Yeah, the Yankees' AI manager/GM undervalued Schalk, just as he was in real life. Pat Collins can rake, but Schalk's defense is incredible. Schalk wasn't getting much playing time in New York, and he's basically splitting time with Johnny Bassler in Boston. Bassler can also play some third base and outfield, so it's possible to keep his lefthanded bat in the lineup when Schalk catches.

Bassler was a pretty good player too, although his career was short. He placed in the top 10 in the MVP voting for three years in the 1920s

By the way, today is actually Wally Pipp's birthday!

[BigCity]

Originally Posted by Big Six

When I saw Judge's season-ending injury come up, I literally said "NO WAY!"

Makes you wonder if Markus added some code that finds a way to bring up a superstar, eh?

By the way, BigSix, I love the fact your still keeping this up. I would love to see a clean story (minus the thread responses) eventually that could be posted for "easy reading"

[Big Six]

It does make you think, doesn't it?

Thanks, BigCity. You're actually not the first person who's suggested that to me. I'm probably going to copy all my posts into a Word file and update it from time to time. Then, if people wanted to read it, they could ask me to email it to them.

[Big Six]

Congress Hotel
520 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois

Miss Elizabeth Ann O'Farrell
148 Cherry Street
Stockbridge, Massachusetts

Dear Beth,

I promised you I would write you a special letter, just for you, when I went on my next road trip. I am, as you have probably already guessed, in Chicago, where we are playing a series of games against the White Sox. Unfortunately, we did not win our game yesterday. We played our best, but the White Sox beat us, 7-4. Art Nehf, our pitcher, was very disappointed, but we tried very hard to make him feel better.

I knew how Mr. Nehf felt, because I was not very happy with the way I played, either. I got one hit and drove in one of our runs, but I also made the third out of two different innings when we had runners on second and third bases. Fortunately, we have a game again tomorrow, so we have another chance to win. Things don't always work out the way we like, but we should never stop trying.

Even though we lost, we are still in first place, because the Tigers lost too. Have you noticed how well the Washington Senators have been playing? They have won six games in a row now, and they are only one game behind us, just like the Tigers are. I think it is exciting when several teams have a chance to win the pennant, although I do prefer the Red Sox to have a large lead.

You had asked how our newest player, Lou Gehrig, has been doing. I am happy to report that so far, he has been a success. Since he has been playing for the Red Sox, he has batted thirty-three times and has made eleven hits. I know that you can figure out his batting average all by yourself! He has not hit a home run yet, but we expect that he will soon. He is very strong, and many believe he might one day hit as many home runs as Babe Ruth.

You also asked if I missed having Babe Ruth on our team. In some ways, yes, I do. I think he is an outstanding ball player, and his home runs helped us win lots of games and two World Series. However, as the newspaper said, I don't think he was always happy playing for the Red Sox. I wonder if he is happier playing for the Yankees, since they are in eighth place?

Finally, I want to tell you how proud I am of you for doing so well in school this year! I will be just as proud of you if you don't win the Mathematics or English prizes for your class, too. You are a sweet, wonderful girl, and Mommy tells me that you are a big help to her in caring for your younger brothers and sister. I believe that is even more important than winning prizes in school, Beth.

I miss you very, very much, and I cannot wait to see you, Mike, Mary Catherine, Johnny, Billy, and Mommy when you all arrive in Boston next month! We shall go out for a fabulous dinner at the Parker House or at the Union Seafood House, and of course, we will have a picnic in the Public Garden.

Give my love to all the family for me!

Love,
Daddy

[Big Six]

The Sporting News, June 9, 1923

CONSISTENT O'FARRELL EXCELLING AGAIN
Year After Year, Sox' Second Baseman At Top of Game

BOSTON--He is thirty-five years old, with fifteen full major league seasons under his belt. However, that belt has not been taken out more than one notch, and if he has lost more than a single step, nobody has noticed it yet. A fixture at second base for the Boston Red Sox since 1908, Pat O'Farrell is perhaps a more valuable player now than he has been at any time in his career. The Red Sox agree, as he has sparked them to a return to the top of the standings as May turns to June.

Pat has perhaps adjusted to the changes in the game of baseball more easily than any veteran star. "There is a greater emphasis on hitting for power than there was a few years ago. I have tried not to change the way I approach at the plate too much, but I confess I am taking more big cuts at the ball than I did before," Pat confesses with a sparkle in his eye. Indeed, after never having hit more than nine home runs in a single season, beginning in 1920 Pat has increased his total each year. He put 17 over the fences in 1922, and with seven homers, he is ahead of that pace this season.

At the same time, however, O'Farrell has not abandoned the "old-time" strategy of stealing bases. Pat has stolen at least 70 bags in every season since 1914, and again, he has increased his production in his thirties. His league-leading total of 86 steals was his lowest output since 1919. "I have taken good care of myself, and I have been fortunate enough not to have had any leg injuries in several years, so I can still run," he explained. The mastery of the art of base stealing that he has acquired over the years has apparently more than made up for any speed he has lost. With forty steals, he once again leads the major leagues, and he has only been thrown out five times attempting to steal.

O'Farrell is running second in the American League batting race, with a .372 mark that is thirteen points below Jack Lelivelt's pace-setting figure. He has pounded fourteen doubles and eight triples, both ranking him among the league's best. Here, too, his production is at least as high as at any point in his career, and as the seasons roll by, Pat finds his name rising steadily up the all-time lists in many categories.

With his fourth triple of the season, he passed Sam Crawford and became the career leader in this category, and he entered the season with more walks and steals than anyone who ever played the game. Among players still active, only two men have made more base hits and hit more home runs; he is second among those still active in runs batted in, runs scored, and doubles. It is quite likely that he will improve upon these positions in the years to come, too.

"I still enjoy playing the game as much as ever," O'Farrell said with a smile. "I watch what I eat, and remain active during the winter months. I have no plans to retire anytime soon."

More than a few American League pitchers undoubtedly wish O'Farrell would reconsider that statement.

[Big Six]

June 10, 1923

PATRICK OFARRELL
BOSTON AMERICAN LEAGUE BASEBALL CLUB
FENWAY PARK
BOSTON MASSACHUSETTS

DEAR PAT STOP
HAVE BEEN CALLED UP TO ST PAUL STOP
HOPE TO SEE YOU IN MAJOR LEAGUES SOON STOP
THANKS FOR EVERYTHING STOP
ARCHIE

***********
After hitting .303-5-42 in 59 games, with a .396 OBP at Pittsfield, the White Sox decided to expose "Moonlight" to some tougher competition. His friend Ted Lyons also moved up, so the major leagues are only one step away.

Archie is a four-star prospect, and here are his ratings, with his ability in front of the slash, and his talent after it:

Contact: 40/77
Gap Power: 64/72
Power: 15/36
Eye: 14/64
Avoid Ks: 44/52

Archie is currently ranked as the 7th most promising prospect in baseball. Here is a listing of the top ten:

1. Lou Gehrig, 1B (Red Sox)
2. Turkey Stearnes, LF (Tigers)
3. Judy Johnson, 3B (Red Sox)
4. Gabby Hartnett, C (Cubs)
5. Tex Jeanes, CF (Indians)
6. Hack Wilson, CF (Giants)
7. Archie Graham, RF (White Sox)
8. Charlie Grimm, 1B (Giants)
9. Goose Goslin, RF (Athletics)
10. Bill Foster, P (Athletics)

[Big Six]

Boston Post, June 27, 1923

RED SOX POUND CHICAGOS, 15-6
Gehrig Hits First Major League Home Run
O’Farrell’s Five Walks Establish New Record

CHICAGO—Lou Gehrig got a pitch he liked from Joe Williams, and hit it a long way.

Pat O’Farrell got twenty pitches from Joe Williams he did not like, elected not to swing at any of them, and walked five times to establish a new American League single game record.

The White Sox actually outhit the Red Sox, 15-14, but Negro veteran Joe Williams generously walked eleven men in five innings, and the Bostons finally won an endless, sloppy game, 15-6.

It was another in a string of rough outings for Williams, who since his arrival in the major leagues has rarely displayed the skills that have made him one of the most legendary pitchers in the history of black baseball. Smoky Joe’s record now stands at five wins and eleven losses, and at age thirty-eight, his formidable skills may be deserting him…

[Big Six]

Boston Globe, June 29, 1923

ALL-STARS TAKE THE FIELD AT FENWAY TODAY
Midsummer Classic Will Feature Six Red Sox

BOSTON--With the Red Sox once again topping the American League standings , it is not surprising that many of Bill Carrigan's players will have the opportunity to appear before their most loyal rooters at today's All-Star game.

Red Sox ace Hugh Bedient, who is tied with Grover Alexander for the league lead with fifteen victories, will be the starting pitcher for the junior circuit. Behind him will be a pair of Sox infielders, third baseman Frank Frisch and second baseman Pat O'Farrell. Expect a particularly enthusiastic greeting for O'Farrell, the most beloved of the Sox, who will be starting the All-Star game for the fourteenth season--a record no other player can match.

Outfielder Max Carey and pitchers Art Nehf and Charlie Hartman have been selected as reserves, while manager Carrigan will be on the coaching staff.

The National League squad features players from New York and Philadelphia, who are currently tied for first place in the standings. Giants third baseman Tillie Shafer has the most All-Star experience on the Nationals, as he will appear in his tenth All-Star game.

Chicago outfielder Oscar Charleston and Philadelphia infielder John Henry Lloyd will make history today, as the first Negroes to be selected to a major league All-Star game.

The starting lineups for today's games follow, with pertinent statistics provided for each player:


NATIONAL LEAGUE
Tillie Shafer, New York, 3B (.342-6-54, 10th All-Star game)
Ross Youngs, New York, RF (.376-5-74, 2nd All-Star game)
Oscar Charleston, Chicago, CF (.322-11-43, 1st All-Star game)
Rogers Hornsby, St. Louis, SS (.317-6-52, 5th All-Star game)
Ken Williams, Philadelphia, LF (.359-9-72, 3rd All-Star game)
Wally Schang, Philadelphia, C (.316-4-48, 2nd All-Star game)
John Henry Lloyd, Philadelphia, 2B (.317-4-47, 1st All-Star game)
George Kelly, New York, 1B (.306-6-64, 2nd All-Star game)
Pol Perritt, St. Louis, P (13-8, 3.63, 5th All-Star game)


AMERICAN LEAGUE
Joe Sewell, Cleveland, SS (.296-4-35, 2nd All-Star game)
Jack Lelivelt, Philadelphia, LF (.352-2-20, 6th All-Star game)
Pat O'Farrell, Boston, 2B (.358-9-36, 14th All-Star game)
Babe Ruth, New York, RF (.301-28-64, 4th All-Star game)
Frank Frisch, 3B, Boston (.316-10-54, 1st All-Star game)
Harry Heilmann, Detroit, CF (.329-4-40, 2nd All-Star game)
George Sisler, St. Louis, 1B (.324-11-54, 2nd All-Star game)
Red McKee, Detroit, C (.271-9-64, 5th All-Star game)
Hugh Bedient, Boston, P (15-4, 2.99, 3rd All-Star game)

***************
Pat's American League squad lost to the visiting National Leaguers, 7-3. In the first inning, Pat popped up to second against Perritt. He led off the fourth against Joe Lotz with a single. After Ruth struck out, Pat swiped second on the first pitch to Frisch, and then moved to third on Frisch's grounder. The inning ended with him on third base. In his next trip to the plate, he made the final out of the fifth innning by grounding out to short.

In the eighth, teammate Max Carey pinch-hit for Pat, so his day was over.

Bedient pitched three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out two. Frisch was hitless in four trips, while Carey struck out in his pinch-hitting appearance. Hartman pitched two innings, allowing three hits, but kept the National Leaguers off the scoreboard. Nehf did not see action.

[Big Six]

84 Westland Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts

July 28, 1923

Mr. Roy Hitt
Cincinnati National League Baseball Club
Crosley Field
Cincinnati, Ohio

Dear Roy,

I was thrilled when I came downstairs for breakfast this morning, and my daugher Elizabeth called out to me, "Daddy! Roy Hitt won yesterday!" As you can see, your pursuit of your 300th victory was followed with a great deal of interest in my household, and we were all rooting for you to achieve it quickly.

Sarah, as well as the three young O'Farrells who are old enough to understand your accomplishment, join me in offering my heartiest congratulations. I have the greatest respect for you as a player and as a gentleman, and the experiences I had as a member of your All-Americans traveling team will always be among the most treasured of my career.

Once again, my cap is off to you on the occasion of your milestone victory. I hope there are many more in your future, Roy.

Sincerely,
Pat O'Farrell

[Big Six]

Statler Hotel
Washington Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri

Mrs. Sarah O'Farrell
84 Westland Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts

August 25, 1923

My dearest Sarah,

Our train arrived in St. Louis before dawn, but as I stepped out of the train station to catch a taxi to the hotel, it felt as if I had opened an oven door. The heat here is always oppressive in August, but I believe this is the worst I have ever felt it. I read in this morning's paper that five people died here yesterday from its effects. News like that puts my nearly sleepless night into a more realistic perspective.

Or is it that, as I near my thirty-sixth birthday, I am feeling the effects of such things more acutely? I have noticed that the sports writers use adjectives such as "seasoned" and "veteran" to modify my name more often now. As long as I remain a productive player, I suppose I will not merit such terms as "aging" and "battle-scarred," which no player wishes to see.

I have noticed that my body is fighting a battle within itself this summer. I am tired, more so than I have ever been late in the season, but the excitement of the pennant race is giving me boosts of adrenaline that have, so far, managed to help me forget my bouts of weariness. I lost some points off my batting average during July," but recently I have been hitting the ball very well again. Still, I notice that it takes me a little longer to loosen my muscles before a game, and that a hot bath feels even better at its conclusion than it did before.

Mike McNally has been hitting the ball so well that Bill is using him regularly at first base, with Gehrig spelling him about every third or fourth game. Lou took the news well, and I am impressed with his positive attitude. He loves to talk about base ball, and will sit with us "veteran" players on the train for hours, absorbing knowledge like a sponge. Despite Ruth's power hitting exploits--did you see that he has 48 home runs now?--I continue to believe that, especially in the long run, we will have the best of the trade that brought Gehrig, Schalk, and Brady to us.

We are still two games ahead of the Tigers, and neither team made any further personnel changes before the trading deadline. I am glad about this, as I believe the group of fellows we have here now are just the sort who can win a pennant and a World Series. Bill has done a marvelous job of keeping the men on the bench happy by giving them playing time, and the dugout is full of players who have seen many a pennant fight. That experience, combined with the enthusiasm of the younger players, creates a potent formula for success.

I will be anxious to see if the White Sox will bring Archie Graham up when the roster limits increase on the 1st. He has certainly had a fine season, and I know nothing would thrill him more than to have an opportunity to play in the major leagues. That opportunity looks like it will undoubtedly come, but I know Archie would rather it happen sooner than later.

I must close my letter now, as it is time for us to leave the hotel for the park now. We are facing Hal Schwenk today, and he is a tough pitcher on a perfect day. On a blisteringly hot one like today, he can be untouchable, so we shall have our work cut out for us.

Hug and kiss the young O'Farrells for me, and I shall write to you at least once more while we are on this Western swing.

All my love,
Pat

[William4192]

The big trade of Ruth for Gehrig may be the exact moment when Rough Bill lost his job and Pat gained it.

[Big Six]

Somehow I think you might be wrong about that, William. The Sox are still in the thick of the race, even without the Babe, and Brady and Schalk look like good additions to the team. And if Gehrig turns out to be Gehrig, then in ten years this might look like a steal.

[dumrox]

So the Sox are doing well without Ruth, how are the Yankees faring with the Bambino? Any improvement?

Also, did Pat ever, albeit briefly, take over the career HR lead? If I recall correctly, there appeared to be a small window a season or two ago where you thought he might.

[Big Six]

The Yankees are in sixth right now, at the top of a clump of three teams that are separated by two games. They move between sixth, seventh, and eighth place, usually depending on which of the bottom dwellers are currently having to face the Red Sox, Tigers, or Senators.

Alas, Pat never took the lead in the lifetime home run race. Jim Nealon is still active, and I believe he has 151 homers. Ruth has passed both Pat and Nealon and now has the lead, which I'm guessing he'll hold onto for a while.

[William4192]

I would have loved to see Pat take the lead, even for one day!

[Big Six]

That would have been cool, William! He has the career lead in several other categories, though...walks, triples, and stolen bases so far, and possibly a couple of others before he's done.