Eddie O'Brien (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Edward Joseph O'Brien is an American
former Major League Baseball
shortstop
, outfielder
and pitcher
. He played his entire five-year baseball career for the Pittsburgh Pirates
(1953, 1955–58). His twin brother, Johnny
, is a former second baseman
and pitcher.
O'Brien attended Saint Mary's High School in South Amboy, now Cardinal McCarrick High School
, where he has been inducted into the school's sports hall of fame.
He attended Seattle University
, where he played on the basketball team for the Chieftains (along with his brother Johnny) and participated in a stunning 84-81 upset over the Harlem Globetrotters
on January 21, 1952.
While in Pittsburgh, Johnny and Eddie O'Brien became the first twins in major league history to play for the same team in the same game. They are also one of only four brother combinations to play second base/shortstop on the same major league club. The others are Garvin
and Granny Hamner
, for the Philadelphia Phillies
in 1945; Frank
and Milt Bolling
, with the Detroit Tigers
in 1958, and Billy
and Cal Ripken
, for the Baltimore Orioles
during the 1980s.
In Jim Bouton's book "Ball Four," a memoir of the 1969 baseball season, O'Brien—who in that year had served as bullpen coach for the Seattle Pilots
expansion club—was represented as Bouton's consistent antagonist.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
, outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
and pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. He played his entire five-year baseball career for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
(1953, 1955–58). His twin brother, Johnny
Johnny O'Brien
John Thomas O'Brien is a former backup second baseman and pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Braves . O'Brien batted and threw right-handed...
, is a former second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
and pitcher.
O'Brien attended Saint Mary's High School in South Amboy, now Cardinal McCarrick High School
Cardinal McCarrick High School
Cardinal McCarrick High School is a Catholic secondary school located in South Amboy, New Jersey.As of the 2007-08 school year, the school had an enrollment of 469 students and 31.3 classroom teachers , for a student–teacher ratio of 13.0....
, where he has been inducted into the school's sports hall of fame.
He attended Seattle University
Seattle University
Seattle University is a Jesuit Catholic university located in the First Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, USA.SU is the largest independent university in the Northwest US, with over 7,500 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs within eight schools, and is one of 28 member...
, where he played on the basketball team for the Chieftains (along with his brother Johnny) and participated in a stunning 84-81 upset over the Harlem Globetrotters
Harlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theater and comedy. The executive offices for the team are currently in downtown Phoenix, Arizona; the team is owned by Shamrock Holdings, which oversees the various investments of the Roy E. Disney family.Over...
on January 21, 1952.
While in Pittsburgh, Johnny and Eddie O'Brien became the first twins in major league history to play for the same team in the same game. They are also one of only four brother combinations to play second base/shortstop on the same major league club. The others are Garvin
Garvin Hamner
Wesley Garvin Hamner was an American professional baseball player. A second baseman and shortstop, he appeared in one season for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball...
and Granny Hamner
Granny Hamner
Granville Wilbur Hamner was an American shortstop and second baseman in Major League Baseball. Hamner was one of the key players on the "Whiz Kids", the National League champion Philadelphia Phillies...
, for the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in 1945; Frank
Frank Bolling
Frank Elmore Bolling is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Detroit Tigers and with the Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves . Bolling batted and threw right-handed...
and Milt Bolling
Milt Bolling
Milton Joseph Bolling is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Boston Red Sox , Washington Senators and Detroit Tigers . Bolling batted and threw right-handed...
, with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
in 1958, and Billy
Billy Ripken
William Oliver Ripken is an American radio personality for XM Satellite Radio, a studio analyst for MLB Network's "MLB Tonight," and is a former infielder in Major League Baseball from –...
and Cal Ripken
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Calvin Edwin "Cal" Ripken, Jr. , nicknamed "Iron Man", is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Baltimore Orioles ....
, for the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
during the 1980s.
In Jim Bouton's book "Ball Four," a memoir of the 1969 baseball season, O'Brien—who in that year had served as bullpen coach for the Seattle Pilots
Seattle Pilots
The Seattle Pilots were an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington for one season, . The Pilots played home games at Sick's Stadium and were a member of the West Division of Major League Baseball's American League...
expansion club—was represented as Bouton's consistent antagonist.