| Jack Doyle | |
|---|---|
 | |
| First baseman /Manager | |
| Born:(1869-10-25)October 25, 1869 Killorglin, Ireland | |
| Died: December 31, 1958(1958-12-31) (aged 89) Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 20, 1889, for the Columbus Solons | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 13, 1905, for the New York Highlanders | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .299 |
| Home runs | 25 |
| Runs batted in | 971 |
| Stolen bases | 518 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Managerial record at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
As player
As manager | |
John Joseph Doyle (October 25, 1869 – December 31, 1958) was anIrish bornfirst baseman inMajor League Baseball whose career spanned 17 seasons, mainly in theNational League.[1]He was born inKillorglin, Ireland, andemigrated to the U.S. when he was a child, his family settling inHolyoke, Massachusetts.[2]
After attendingFordham University, he embarked on a baseball career that would last 70 years. He made his first appearance at themajor league level by signing and playing two years for theColumbus Solons of theAmerican Association. Doyle would play for ten clubs from1889 to1905,batting .299 in 1,569 games with 518stolen bases. He began as acatcher–outfielder and became a first baseman in1894. His best years were in 1894, when he batted .367 for theNew York Giants, and in1897, when he hit .354 with 62 stolen bases for theBaltimore Orioles.[1] He is credited with being the firstpinch-hitter in pro ball, withCleveland atBrooklyn on June 7,1892.Patsy Tebeau was themanager and Doyle came through with a game-winningsingle.[2]
For the1894 season, he took over the everyday duties at first base and becameteam captain.[3] ManagerJohn Montgomery Ward not only made the decision to replace his former teammate and friendRoger Connor, but released him as well. Connor was a very popular player, and this decision drew the ire and scrutiny from the fans and media alike. Ward defended his decision and claimed the move came down to the fact that he liked Doyle's playing style, describing him as ahustler.[4] Replacing Connor at first base proved worth the risk, as Jack batted .367 that season, and he totaled 100 runs batted in and stole 42 bases.[1]
Because of his aggressive playing style, Doyle was known as "Dirty Jack", often feuding withumpires,fans, opposing players, and even, at times, his own teammates.[5] On one occasion, in Cincinnati on July 4,1900, while in the 3rd inning of the second game of adoubleheader, Doyle slugged umpireBob Emslie after beingcalled out on a steal attempt. Fans jumped from the stands as the two fought before being chased back by policemen. After players finally separated Doyle from Emslie, he was arrested and fined.[2] On July 1,1901, when he was being harassed by aPolo Grounds fan, he jumped into the stands and hit him once with his left hand, reinjuring it after having broken it several weeks earlier.[6]
He carried on a lengthy feud withJohn McGraw that started when they were teammates at Baltimore. McGraw, of course, had to have the last word. In1902, McGraw was appointed manager of the Giants, and his first act was to release Doyle, even though he was batting .301 andfielding .991 at the time. Even with these seemingly out-of-control traits, Doyle was deemed a natural leader and was selected as team captain in New York, Brooklyn andChicago, and served as an interim manager for the Giants in1895 andWashington Senators in1898.[2]
In 1905, after playing one game with theNew York Highlanders, Doyle became manager of Toledo of theWestern Association. One year later, in1906, he was named the manager of the Des Moines Champions, so named because they won the league championship the previous year, and won it again under Doyle's helm. Following his championship season at Des Moines, he managed Milwaukee in1907.[5]
In 1908–09, the only years of his adult life spent outside of baseball, he served aspolice commissioner of his hometown of Holyoke.[2] Doyle returned to the game as an umpire and worked in the National League for 42 games in1911.[7] Later on he would join theChicago Cubs as ascout in1920. In his many years with the Cubs, Doyle was credited with signing or recommending the acquisition of such stars asGabby Hartnett,Hack Wilson,Billy Herman,Stan Hack,Bill Jurges,Charlie Root,Bill Lee,Augie Galan,Riggs Stephenson andPhil Cavarretta.[5] He remained in that capacity until his death on New Year's Eve 1958 at the age of 89. He was buried at St. Jerome Cemetery in Holyoke.[7]
In theIrish Baseball League, the annual award for best slugger is named "The 'Dirty' Jack Doyle" Silver Slugger Award.[8]
· Baseball Almanac