16 March 2007

Lentorama 2007: The Non-Canonized Catholic Person of the Day

Today you get Patsy Donovan, born on this day 1865 in Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland (where I've been!), who moved to the US and broke into baseball in 1886 with the New England League's team in Haverhill, Massachusetts (where I've been!). He'd eventually make the majors and play 17 seasons with the Pirates, Cardinals, Senators, and Superbas (and served as player-coach for a few, too).

At his retirement, Donovan held the major league record for games played by a right fielder. He was a career .300 hitter, and was in the top 10 career for games played, assists, and double plays.

After retirement, he was a scout and manager for the Red Sox. In the scouting role he was key in the team landing Babe Ruth, as he got tipped off from one of the Xaverian brothers at the Babe's orphanage. So, in a way, he's to blame for everything.

Sullivan died on Christmas Day in 1953. I'm willing to bet that wasn't on his list.

No comments:

 Book Log Extra: New York Times 100 Best Books of the 21st Century The New York Times  took a break from trying to get Joe Biden to drop out...