Tip O'Neill (baseball)

For other people named James O'Neill, see James O'Neill (disambiguation).
Tip O'Neill

Outfielder
Born: May 25, 1858(1858-05-25)
Springfield, Ontario
Died: December 31, 1915(1915-12-31) (aged 57)
Montreal, Quebec
Batted: Right Threw: Right 
MLB debut
May 5, 1883 for the New York Gothams
Last MLB appearance
August 30, 1892 for the Cincinnati Reds
Career statistics
Batting average     .326
Runs batted in     757
Runs scored     880
Teams
Career highlights and awards
  • American Association Triple Crown: 1887
  • American Association batting champion: 1888
  • American Association RBI champion: 1886
  • American Association runs scored leader: 1887
  • American Association hits leader: 1887, 1888
  • American Association doubles leader: 1887
  • 1 200-hit season
  • 5 seasons with 100+ runs scored
  • 3 seasons with 100+ RBI

James Edward "Tip" O'Neill (May 25, 1858 – December 31, 1915) was a Canadian left fielder in Major League Baseball in the late 19th century.

Nicknamed "The Woodstock Wonder" though born in nearby Springfield, Ontario, O'Neill played ten seasons, 1883-1892, for the New York Gothams, the St. Louis Browns of the American Association, the Cincinnati Reds, and the Chicago Pirates of the Players' League. He batted .326 over his career. He also pitched for two seasons, winning 16 games and losing 16 games, with an ERA of 3.39.

O'Neill led the league at least once in most hitting categories, including batting average in 1887 (.435) and 1888 (.335). During the 1887 season, bases on balls were counted as hits, which inflated O'Neill's batting average as reported at the time to .492 (scored regularly, O'Neill hit .435). In 1887, O'Neill won the only hitting triple crown in American Association history, hitting .435 with 14 home runs and 123 RBI. That same season, he drew 50 walks, which gave him (according to the rules of the time) 275 Hits. That figure has since been lowered to 225.

The award presented to the top Canadian baseball player of the year, as selected by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, is called the Tip O'Neill Award.

Former Speaker of the House and U.S. Representative Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill was nicknamed after him in his youth.[1]

O'Neill was president of the Western League until his death in 1915.[2]

O'Neill moved to Montreal and owned a saloon. He died in a streetcar accident on December 31, 1915. He is buried at St. Mary Cemetery in Woodstock, Ontario.

See also

External links

References

  1. ^ Hodgson, G. (1994, January 7). Obituary: Thomas P. O'neill. The Independent (London), pp. 14.
  2. ^ Racine Journal-News, Racine WI. SPORTING NOTES. January 22, 1915. pg. 21
Preceded by
Ned Williamson		 Single season doubles record holders
1887 - 1899		 Succeeded by
Ed Delahanty
Preceded by
Bid McPhee		 American Association Home Run Champion
1887		 Succeeded by
John Reilly
Grover Cleveland Alexander • Joaquín Andújar • Johnny Beazley • Andy Benes • Harry Brecheen • Ernie Broglio • Chris Carpenter • Bob Caruthers • Mort Cooper • Clarence Currie • Curt Davis • Dizzy Dean • Jose DeLeon • John Denny • Murry Dickson • Bill Doak • Red Donahue • Bob Forsch • Dave Foutz • Art Fromme • Bob Gibson • Kid Gleason • Dan Griner • Harvey Haddix • Jesse Haines • Bob Harmon • Pink Hawley • Ken Hill • Larry Jackson • Darryl Kile • Silver King • Max Lanier • Dave LaPoint • Brooks Lawrence • Kyle Lohse • Johnny Lush • Joe Magrane • Matt Morris • Jakie May • Chappie McFarland • Jumbo McGinnis • Lynn McGlothen • Lee Meadows • Wilmer Mizell • Tip O'Neill • Donovan Osborne • Jeff Pfeffer • Tom Poholsky • Howie Pollet • Jack Powell • Toad Ramsey • Flint Rhem • Slim Sallee • Bill Sherdel • Curt Simmons • Bryn Smith • Gerry Staley • Jack Stivetts • Todd Stottlemyre • Johnny Stuart • Jack B. Taylor • Jack W. Taylor • Bob Tewksbury • John Tudor • Pete Vuckovich • Adam Wainwright • Lon Warneke • Herm Wehmeier • Bob Weiland • Ted Wilks • Vic Willis • Stan Yerkes • Cy Young
1876–1899
1900–1941
Major League Baseball batters who have won the Triple Crown