Fancy O'Neil
Encyclopedia
Michael "Fancy" O'Neil was an Irish
professional baseball player whose career in the National Association
consisted of one game for the Hartford Dark Blues
. The game took place on October 23, 1874 when he played all nine innings in right field
in a 13–1 loss to the Boston Red Stockings
. Peter Morris, a member of SABR, claims that O'Neil's nickname of "Fancy" is from his time as a boxer
, as well as that he was born in Ireland
to parents Michael and Sarah. He grew up in New York
and Hartford, Connecticut
, exact birth and death information is difficult to ascertain as O'Neil did not have a fixed occupation or address, as well as trouble with the law.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
professional baseball player whose career in the National Association
National Association of Professional Base Ball Players
The National Association of Professional Base Ball Players , or simply the National Association , was founded in 1871 and continued through the 1875 season...
consisted of one game for the Hartford Dark Blues
Hartford Dark Blues
The Hartford Dark Blues were a 19th century baseball team. The team was based in Hartford, Connecticut.-History:They were a member of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players in 1874 and 1875 and the National League in 1876 and 1877...
. The game took place on October 23, 1874 when he played all nine innings in right field
Right fielder
A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
in a 13–1 loss to the Boston Red Stockings
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. Peter Morris, a member of SABR, claims that O'Neil's nickname of "Fancy" is from his time as a boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, as well as that he was born in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
to parents Michael and Sarah. He grew up in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
, exact birth and death information is difficult to ascertain as O'Neil did not have a fixed occupation or address, as well as trouble with the law.