The Base Ball Life of Patrick O'Farrell

[sflcat]

I *heart* Pat

which is a great tribute to your dynasty since

a) I'm no where close to being a Red Sox fan (I'd probably root for the Yankees before the Sox)

b) I'm not a big baseball fan, period....at least of the modern game.

[Big Six]

New York Times, June 30,. 1928

AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STARS TRIUMPH, 8-4
Junior Circuit Breaks Tie With Four-Run Ninth
Judy Johnson Has Four Hits

NEW YORK--The festivities surrounding baseball's annual All-Star game often overshadow the action on the field itself, but such was not the case about the game that was played yesterday afternoon at Ebbets Field. The American League, paced by Boston Red Sox shortstop Judy Johnson, broke a 4-4 tie with a quartet of tallies in the top of the ninth inning, a finish that sent the capacity crowd home with the distinct impression that they had received their money's worth.

Johnson hit a long home run off a fastball from National League starter Red Lucas of the Giants in the second inning, and then doubled home another run in the fourth off Pittsburgh's Burleigh Grimes. He also participated in the winning rally, spanking a single off losing pitcher George Uhle of Cincinnati and scoring on a base hit by Norman "Turkey" Stearnes of Detroit.

Johnson led a contingent of five players from the American League leading Boston Red Sox, which included three infielders. Third baseman Frank Frisch and first baseman Lou Gehrig joined Johnson, who made his first All-Star appearance yesterday.

Notably absent from the mostly-Boston infield crew was the most constant presence in the history of the Midsummer Classic: second baseman Pat O'Farrell, who seems to finally be showing the effects of forty years on Earth and twenty years in the game. His heir apparent as the supreme second sacker in the American League, Charlie Gehringer of the Tigers, is having a season that could perhaps most appropriately be described as vintage O'Farrell: a .370 batting average, nine home runs, and 58 RBI.

It was rumored last week that Bill Carrigan, who managed the American League squad, was being pressured to add O'Farrell to the team. Unconfirmed reports stated that either Carrigan or O'Farrell squashed this plan quickly, as they did not want to deny a more deserving player a place on the squad or have an exception made for Pat as an "honorary" selection.

Center fielder Kiki Cuyler joined the aforementioned Sox in the starting lineup, and pitcher Neal Brady, who leads both major leagues with a record of 16-2, worked the fourth and fifth innings for the American Leaguers.

The many fans who came to the Brooklyn ballpark to see Babe Ruth perform some longball heroics had to be satisfied with a few prodigious batting practice blasts. Ruth, whose 34 home runs put him in a position to break his own all-time, single season record, only hit the ball out of the infield once after the game began, and that was a Texas League single...

[liamdaly]

Even though I know Pat's a fictional character, it's still sad to see the streak come to an end...

I don't often comment, but I've been reading since the beginning and even after two years, I'm hooked -- great writing, Big Six

[Big Six]

Originally Posted by liamdaly

Even though I know Pat's a fictional character, it's still sad to see the streak come to an end...

I don't often comment, but I've been reading since the beginning and even after two years, I'm hooked -- great writing, Big Six

Thanks, Liam. I'm still hooked as well, which is why the thread will live even after Pat retires.

[Big Six]

Chicago Tribune, June 30, 1928

CUBS TRADE WEIS FOR THREE MINOR LEAGUERS
Catcher Kinsella The Most Promising Acquisition

CHICAGO--At the All-Star break, the Cubs made a three-for-one trade with the Cincinnati Reds, exchanging reserve infielder Butch Weis for three minor leaguers.

The most promising new Cub farmhand is 19-year-old catcher John Kinsella, who has drawn some rave reviews by hitting eighteen home runs in his first 73 Class B ballgames. Kinsella is batting only .241, however, and strikes out often, so with him it is often feast or famine right now. There is time, however, for him to close the holes in his swing before Gabby Hartnett, who is not yet thirty, will need to be replaced.

"We like Kinsella's defensive abilities as much as his bat," Cubs manager Bill Killefer, a catcher in his day, remarked...

[Big Six]

Originally Posted by sflcat

I *heart* Pat

which is a great tribute to your dynasty since

a) I'm no where close to being a Red Sox fan (I'd probably root for the Yankees before the Sox)

b) I'm not a big baseball fan, period....at least of the modern game.

Thanks, sflcat! When I created Pat, I hoped he would be the kind of player people could *heart*. I was getting tired of the posturing of so many modern stars, and I thought a humble, All-American guy like Pat might be a welcome antidote to some of that foolishness.

It's been a lot of fun to see that, at least in this case, nice guys can finish first, too.

[Big Six]

Boston Globe, July 12, 1928

THREE HUNDRED FOR SMOKY JOE!!!
Wood Defeats Indians 10-4 for Milestone Win
Sox Now Winners of Seven Straight

CLEVELAND--Yesterday at League Park, one of the finest pitchers ever to toe the slab added his name to the list of those who have won 300 major league ballgames. Joe Wood, who has been one of the most enduring symbols of the Boston Red Sox' excellence, defeated the Indians, 10-4 to earn the landmark victory. It was the seventh straight win for Bill Carrigan's first-place Sox.

Wood's return to glory has been one of the most heartwarming stories of the last two Red Sox seasons. After suffering a series of minor injuries, Wood reached the bottom of his barrel when he was relegated to the minor leagues in 1926. He suddenly seemed unable to retire big league batters, either as a starter or as a relief man.

Bill Carrigan never lost faith in the fireballer from Kansas, and when he recalled Wood and inserted him back into the rotation, Joe responded more positively than anyone, except perhaps Joe himself, could have ever dreamed. He won twenty ballgames for the 1927 World Champions; Joe had not reached that level of excellence since 1920, when the Sox had last won the Series.

Smoky Joe's three hundredth victory looked a lot like many of the first 299. At age thirty-eight, he can still throw hard, and his fastball whizzed into Ray Schalk's big mitt with old-time pizazz. When Wood threw a curve, it danced and darted, missing Indian bats all day long. One Indian reached first base via the walk, while ten received their K and went back to their dugout.

Meanwhile, Wood's teammates were making sure he would earn the victory with very little trouble, scoring ten times in the first five innings. Lou Gehrig hammered a pitch from rookie Les Barnhart far over the center field fence for the first run of the game.

The homer was Lou's 25th of the season, and the RBI his 89th; both totals rank him behind only Babe Ruth among major leaguers. Gehrig's batting average of .377 is nearly eighty points better than the Bambino's, however. And, most importantly, Lou's team has won sixteen more games than any other team in the American League, and seventeen more than Babe's team.

The man whose sister became the bride of today's winning pitcher twelve years ago also aided his relative's cause. Pat O'Farrell, who has been on the field for the overwhelming majority of Wood's victories, singled twice and walked twice in five trips to the dish, scoring two runs.

O'Farrell continues to hit the ball with much more authority than he displayed earlier this season. His batting average for the month of July is .320, and while his power seems to have disappeared, he is once again getting on base via the walk. Carrigan now pencils Pat into the leadoff spot in the order, and the Irishman seems to thrive there...

[Big Six]

Sinton Hotel
Cincinnati, Ohio

Mr. and Mrs. William Graham
325 1st Avenue, SW
Chisholm, Minnesota

July 25, 1928

Dear Mom and Dad,

Unless you have read the newspaper, you are probably wondering what I am doing in Cincinnati, a National League city. Well, I have been traded to a National League team.

Two days ago, the White Sox traded me to the Cubs as part of a deal that involved six players. Duke Gillespie and I went to the Cubs, and in return the White Sox received Charlie Hollocher, Pete Scott, and two minor leaguers. One is a catcher named John Kinsella, who has hit almost thirty home runs in Class B this season.

I suppose there are some positive things about being traded to the Cubs. I won't have to learn a new city, although I will probably move to an apartment on the North Side, closer to Wrigley Field. I am also getting the opportunity to play alongside the man whom I believe to be the most complete player in all of baseball, Oscar Charleston. You may remember that I met Oscar briefly on the barnstorming tour, and I was flattered that he recalled our meeting as well. Perhaps best of all, I've been traded from a team in last place to a team that won the pennant last year!

I am disappointed, however, that I will not get to be Charlie Hollocher's teammate. Charlie was one of the first players to welcome me when I joined the All-Americans on the tour, and we have kept in touch since then, since we both play in Chicago. I suppose we can still have dinner together from time to time, even though we now play for the other team!

I will close this letter now, as I am going to dinner tonight with a few of my new teammates. Gabby Hartnett, the catcher, and George Grantham, the second baseman, have invited me to a steak house that is very popular with the players.

I hope you will still be visiting me in Chicago next month, despite the fact that you won't be able to see the Red Sox play. Perhaps, however, you will get to see us play them in the World Series. We are only eight games behind the Pirates, and there is plenty of time for us to catch them.

Your loving son,
Archie

[Big Six]

I discovered Archie Graham and John Kinsella had been traded for each other when I went to the White Sox' team page to see how Moonlight had done last week.

I click on the roster, and no Archie.
"What happened to him? Is he hurt?"
I go to Transactions to look at the DL, and he's not there.
"Surely the lamebrained AI manager didn't send him to the minors!"
Nope, Archie's not with the White Sox anymore.
"Deadline trading; of course. I hope they got somebody good for him."
On to the Transaction Report...and there I see it...

Out of the thousand or more players who could have been a part of this trade, the two Field of Dreams characters were chosen.

I haven't heard any voices yet, so don't worry. But if I do, I won't ignore them, not after this.

[TCleary46]

I just finished reading the entire thread and all I can say is that this is amazing writing. As a huge Red Sox fan it has been so much fun to follow the team (and Pat) for twenty years.

Other than Pat I have become very attached to Smokey Joe Wood and am very glad he has won 300.

If you get the chance, would it be possible to post Smokey Joe's career stats?

[Level]

thats downright weird about kinsella and archie being traded for one another. i suppose this trade is a blockbuster as hollacher is a top tier 2b (correct me if im wrong), kinsella could be a star and archie might be an all-star one day.

[Big Six]

Originally Posted by TCleary46

I just finished reading the entire thread and all I can say is that this is amazing writing. As a huge Red Sox fan it has been so much fun to follow the team (and Pat) for twenty years.

Other than Pat I have become very attached to Smokey Joe Wood and am very glad he has won 300.

If you get the chance, would it be possible to post Smokey Joe's career stats?

Sure, TCleary. Would it be OK if I post them at the end of the 1928 season? If it looks like it will take a while, I'll do it sooner.

Wood has always been a favorite player of mine, ever since I first heard about him when I was a kid. I'm a lifelong fan of my hometown Orioles, but I always liked the Sox because my grandfather did. I would give anything to be at Fenway Park to see the game Wood pitched against Walter Johnson in September 1912, with Wood's 14-game winning streak on the line...after the Big Train had won 16 in a row. It doesn't get better than that.

Thanks for your interest in the story! I'll be following your Red Sox universe just as closely.

[Big Six]

Originally Posted by Level

thats downright weird about kinsella and archie being traded for one another. i suppose this trade is a blockbuster as hollacher is a top tier 2b (correct me if im wrong), kinsella could be a star and archie might be an all-star one day.

Yeah, it could turn out to be a big one. Duke Gillespie has an ERA of 2.95, which would place him first in the National League. Hollocher has been one of the best shortstops in the NL for a while, but lately, Woody English has been getting as much playing time as Charlie.

Archie is hitting well over .300, and you're right about Kinsella. He has a chance to be good--I created him to be outstanding defensively, but the power is a surprise. He has a Power talent rating of 28, so I'm not sure it will hold up as John climbs the ladder to the majors. His arm and glove will certainly play in the majors, though.

[William4192]

Big Six,

If you have not played God yet, let it play out. From the start you said you were going to write about his career. If PAT decides to play (even in minors), just tell his story. That is the fun part to me. If he plays in minors next year, he can be a player/manager. The best part about this is you have not interferred so it is "real". Let Pat decide, and you report

[Big Six]

An email message appeared in the Red Sox team mailbox as I was simming last night, and it included the definitive word on the question of Pat's retirement, straight from the man himself.

"I will be retiring at the end of the season. It's time to give the younger players a chance."

*************
Boston Globe, August 5, 1928

O'FARRELL TO RETIRE AT END OF SEASON
Beloved Star Will End Career After 22 Big League Seasons

BOSTON--For months, rumors about the retirement of Pat O'Farrell have flown about like so many line drives, but today the one man who can speak with authority about the subject let his voice be heard.

O'Farrell, flanked by his wife Sarah and his friend and manager, Bill Carrigan, announced today that he will retire from the game of baseball at the conclusion of the 1928 season. The announcement was made quietly and with class, in the manner of everything else Pat has done since he first took the field for the Red Sox in 1907.

"I always figured I would know when it was time to retire," O'Farrell stated simply. "It's time to let the younger players have a chance."

O'Farrell admitted he nearly walked away from the game in June, when he was struggling through one of the worst slumps of his career. "I wondered then if I was ever going to be able to play decent ball again," he said softly. "I didn't want to drag the team down, because we have a club that can win the World Series again. The day before I was going to announce my retirement, I got two hits, and that made me reconsider my decision." He smiled broadly and squeezed his wife's shoulders. "Sarah told me I would never forgive myself if I quit in the middle of a season."

The forty-year-old infielder then began to play good, steady ball; no longer the man who was arguably the best player in baseball throughout the 1910s, O'Farrell has still been an asset to a Red Sox aggregation that is running away with the American League pennant. O'Farrell does not drive the ball like he once did, but his ability to get on base has made him a good fit atop Carrigan's batting order. Once there, he is still the finest baserunner in the game, taking extra bases and seldom getting caught. He is second in the American League in stolen bases, and his total of 46 would lead the other league.

"I've always wanted my final game to come in the World Series, and I want to walk off the field the last time as a World Series champion. I cannot think of a better way to say goodbye," O'Farrell said, visibly moved, his voice faltering a bit.

Nor can the millions of fans who have followed the career of the Stockbridge Irishman during a brilliant career that now spans two decades.

O'Farrell and I were rookies together, he as a player, I as a scribe. I have always attempted to retain an emotional detachment from the players and teams about which I must report, but today, I find myself unable to remain cool and objective. Today I am a fan, and like many of you, my heart is a little heavier now.

[seth70liz76]

I'm glad he made the decision, rather than put you in an uncomfortable spot. Now, what happens if the Sox decide to release him . . .

[Big Six]

Originally Posted by seth70liz76

I'm glad he made the decision, rather than put you in an uncomfortable spot. Now, what happens if the Sox decide to release him . . .

I usually have the Sox set to "human manager," and I'll make sure Pat stays on the team. If he starts to play too badly, I'll just bench him.

I think that's a realistic way to handle it. Boston has a 16-game lead, so it's very likely they'd play some younger guys down the stretch anyway. Martin Dihigo could use some playing time, and so could Jack Rothrock. Dihigo is one of the best prospects in baseball, and Rothrock should be a useful major leaguer.

Besides, if a real front office decided to release the greatest player in the team's history, a guy who's been with the club for over 20 years and has already announced he's retiring at the end of the season, the fans would riot!

[Tib]

It does offer the dramatic possibility of what I like to call the Last Stand of the Old Warrior, where the ancient veteran gets one last moment in the spotlight and a chance to come through yet again for his team. See also, Alexander, Pete and Gibson, Kirk.

[seth70liz76]

Good to see he'll get the chance to have that last World Series glory. But it could happen: Rizzuto and Ruth, among others were not allowed to go out in a dignified manner despite all of thier contributions. As long as he can still help the Sox win, that's the key.

[William4192]

Good for Pat. Any light on the next step in his life? Any plans?