Hank O'Day
Encyclopedia
Henry Francis O'Day was an American
right-handed pitcher
, umpire
and manager
in Major League Baseball
who worked as a National League
(NL) umpire for 30 years between 1895 and 1927, and was the only person in major league history to appear as a player, manager and umpire.
His 3,986 total games as an official ranked third in major league history when he retired, and his 2,710 games as a plate umpire still rank second in major league history to Bill Klem
's total of 3,543. O'Day also umpired in 10 World Series
– second only to Klem's total of 18 – including five of the first seven played. He is largely known for his controversial decision in a pivotal 1908
game, a ruling which still causes debate today.
in 1884, and in his seven-year career he posted a record of 73–110. After stops with the Pittsburgh Alleghenys
(1885), Washington Nationals (1886–89) and New York Giants
(1889), he blossomed with two strong wins in the 1889
World Series
, then enjoyed his best season by going 22–13 in his final year with the New York Giants in the Players' League. However, he developed arm trouble as a result of pitching over 300 innings that year, and ended his playing career in the minor leagues in 1893.
, whose hiring O'Day had recommended – including four of the first five played; for the first three, he was the only NL umpire for the Series: 1903
, 1905
, 1907
, 1908
, 1910
, 1916
, 1918
, 1920
, 1923
and 1926
.
In The National League Story (1961), Lee Allen described O'Day as "a crusty old pitcher who had umpired in the league as early as 1888 and had the scars to prove it."
On September 23, 1908, O'Day was involved in the most controversial field decision in major league history. He was working as the plate umpire in the game between the Cubs
and the Giants, which ended when Al Bridwell
's single drove in the apparent winning run. However, baserunner Fred Merkle
never advanced from first base to second, in keeping with the common practice of the era. When the Cubs produced a ball – not necessarily the game ball, which had been thrown into the stands – and claimed a force play at second base, which would negate the run, the debate erupted. Base umpire Bob Emslie
had been watching the play at first base to verify that the batter had reached base, but had not seen the play at second. O'Day ruled that the force play had been valid and that the run did not count, causing the game to end in a tie. Some reports say that O'Day didn't rule on the play until late that evening; however O'Day's letter to National League President Harry Pulliam
indicates he made the ruling right there on the field — O'Day states decisively "I would not allow McCormick's Run to score". League president Pulliam upheld his decision, and the Cubs overtook New York (winning a makeup of that tie game) to win the pennant by a single game.
O'Day's letter to Pulliam follows (spelling and punctuation as in the original):
O'Day called balls and strikes for no-hitters in four decades, a distinction which has been matched only by Harry Wendelstedt
. During the 1920 World Series, O'Day was the second base umpire when Bill Wambsganss
executed the only unassisted triple play
in Series history.
In 1912
, O'Day agreed to become the manager of the Cincinnati Reds
, whom he guided to a 75–78 record. After returning to umpiring in 1913, he managed the Cubs to a 78–76 finish in 1914
, and then went back to umpiring for good. Both teams which he managed finished in fourth place. He retired following the 1927 season and became the NL's scout for new umpires.
O'Day began his career in an era during which only one umpire worked in most games, and he spent the remainder in a time when only two were used. In addition, this period witnessed constant violence against umpires, from both players and spectators. To deal with the resulting solitary life of his profession, O'Day chose to live an intensely private life, avoiding the hangers-on who habituated the major league hotels and travel routes, and assiduously maintaining a taciturn aloofness from those who demonstrated an eagerness to get to know him. He did, however, develop a lasting friendship with fellow umpire Emslie, one of his pitching opponents in the 1880s, after both had been in the league for a number of years; he also enjoyed long friendships with John Heydler
, who had been a fellow umpire in the 1890s and later became O'Day's supervisor as NL president, and Connie Mack
, who had been O'Day's catcher for 3 years in Washington.
O'Day died of bronchial pneumonia at age 72 in Chicago, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
right-handed 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...
, umpire
Umpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
and manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
in 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...
who worked as a National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
(NL) umpire for 30 years between 1895 and 1927, and was the only person in major league history to appear as a player, manager and umpire.
His 3,986 total games as an official ranked third in major league history when he retired, and his 2,710 games as a plate umpire still rank second in major league history to Bill Klem
Bill Klem
William Joseph Klem, born William Joseph Klimm , known as the "father of baseball umpires", was a National League umpire in Major League Baseball from 1905 to 1941...
's total of 3,543. O'Day also umpired in 10 World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
– second only to Klem's total of 18 – including five of the first seven played. He is largely known for his controversial decision in a pivotal 1908
1908 in baseball
-Statistical leaders:-American League final standings:-National League final standings:-January-March:*February 27 - The sacrifice fly rule is adopted. No time at bat is charged if a run scores after the catch of a fly ball...
game, a ruling which still causes debate today.
Early life
O'Day was born in Chicago, Illinois, one of six children of two deaf parents. He made his debut as a major league player with the Toledo Blue StockingsToledo Blue Stockings
The Toledo Blue Stockings formed as a minor league baseball team in Toledo, Ohio in 1883. They won the Northwestern League championship in 1883. Their home ballpark was League Park....
in 1884, and in his seven-year career he posted a record of 73–110. After stops with the Pittsburgh Alleghenys
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...
(1885), Washington Nationals (1886–89) and New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
(1889), he blossomed with two strong wins in the 1889
1889 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: New York Giants 6, Brooklyn Bridegrooms 3*National League: New York Giants*American Association: Brooklyn Bridegrooms-National League final standings:-American Association final standings:-National League statistical leaders:...
World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
, then enjoyed his best season by going 22–13 in his final year with the New York Giants in the Players' League. However, he developed arm trouble as a result of pitching over 300 innings that year, and ended his playing career in the minor leagues in 1893.
Umpiring
Soon afterward, O'Day returned to the NL as an umpire, and he eventually developed a reputation as the finest official in the league. He umpired in 10 World Series – a total exceeded only by the 18 worked by Bill KlemBill Klem
William Joseph Klem, born William Joseph Klimm , known as the "father of baseball umpires", was a National League umpire in Major League Baseball from 1905 to 1941...
, whose hiring O'Day had recommended – including four of the first five played; for the first three, he was the only NL umpire for the Series: 1903
1903 World Series
The 1903 World Series was the first modern World Series to be played in Major League Baseball. It matched the Boston Americans of the American League against the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League in a best-of-nine series, with Boston prevailing five games to three, winning the last...
, 1905
1905 World Series
- Game 1 :Monday, October 9, 1905 at Columbia Park in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaA pitchers' duel took place between Christy Mathewson and Eddie Plank. Both pitchers got out of jams and were able to shut the offense down. In the Giants top of the fifth, Mathewson singled, but was forced by Roger...
, 1907
1907 World Series
The 1907 World Series featured the Chicago Cubs and the Detroit Tigers, with the Cubs winning the Series four games to none for their first championship....
, 1908
1908 World Series
The 1908 World Series matched the defending champion Chicago Cubs against the Detroit Tigers in a rematch of the 1907 Series. In this first-ever rematch of this young event, the Cubs won in five games for their second consecutive title....
, 1910
1910 World Series
The 1910 World Series featured the Philadelphia Athletics and the Chicago Cubs, with the Athletics winning in five games to earn their first championship.Jack Coombs of Philadelphia won three games and Eddie Collins supplied timely hitting...
, 1916
1916 World Series
In the 1916 World Series, the Boston Red Sox beat the Brooklyn Robins four games to one.Casey Stengel shone on offense for the Robins in the 1916 Series but the Red Sox pitching core ultimately proved too much for the denizens of Flatbush...
, 1918
1918 World Series
The 1918 World Series featured the Boston Red Sox, who defeated the Chicago Cubs four games to two. The Series victory for the Red Sox was their fifth in five tries, going back to . The Red Sox scored only nine runs in the entire Series; the fewest runs by the winning team in World Series history...
, 1920
1920 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 5, 1920 at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York-Game 2:Wednesday, October 6, 1920 at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York-Game 3:Thursday, October 7, 1920 at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York-Game 4:...
, 1923
1923 World Series
In the 1923 World Series, the New York Yankees beat the New York Giants in six games. This would be the first of the Yankees' 27 World Series championships...
and 1926
1926 World Series
The 1926 World Series was the championship series of the 1926 Major League Baseball season, featuring the St. Louis Cardinals against the New York Yankees...
.
In The National League Story (1961), Lee Allen described O'Day as "a crusty old pitcher who had umpired in the league as early as 1888 and had the scars to prove it."
On September 23, 1908, O'Day was involved in the most controversial field decision in major league history. He was working as the plate umpire in the game between the Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and the Giants, which ended when Al Bridwell
Al Bridwell
Albert Henry Bridwell was an American shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the a number of teams in the early 20th century, most notably the New York Giants, when the team was managed by John McGraw. Bridwell hit the single which caused the crucial "Merkle boner" running error of the...
's single drove in the apparent winning run. However, baserunner Fred Merkle
Fred Merkle
Frederick Charles Merkle , also known as "Bonehead" Merkle, was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball...
never advanced from first base to second, in keeping with the common practice of the era. When the Cubs produced a ball – not necessarily the game ball, which had been thrown into the stands – and claimed a force play at second base, which would negate the run, the debate erupted. Base umpire Bob Emslie
Bob Emslie
Robert Daniel Emslie was a Canadian pitcher in Major League Baseball who went on to set numerous records for longevity as an umpire...
had been watching the play at first base to verify that the batter had reached base, but had not seen the play at second. O'Day ruled that the force play had been valid and that the run did not count, causing the game to end in a tie. Some reports say that O'Day didn't rule on the play until late that evening; however O'Day's letter to National League President Harry Pulliam
Harry Pulliam
Harry Clay Pulliam was an American baseball executive who served as the sixth President of the National League, from 1903 until his death , in the period in which the NL and the fledgling American League settled their hostilities and formed a National Agreement which led to the creation of the...
indicates he made the ruling right there on the field — O'Day states decisively "I would not allow McCormick's Run to score". League president Pulliam upheld his decision, and the Cubs overtook New York (winning a makeup of that tie game) to win the pennant by a single game.
O'Day's letter to Pulliam follows (spelling and punctuation as in the original):
New York, Sept 23/08
Harry C. Pulliam, Esq.
Pres. Nat. League
Dear sir,
In the game to-day at New York between New York and the Chicago Club. In the last half of the 9th inning, the score was a tie 1–1. New York was at the Bat, with two Men out, McCormick of N. York on 3rd Base and Merkle of N. York on 1st Base; Bridwell was at the Bat and hit a clean single Base-Hit to Center Field. Merkle did not run the Ball out; he started toward 2nd Base, but on getting half way there he turned and ran down the field toward the Club House. The Ball was fielded in to 2nd Base for a Chgo. Man to make the play, when McGinnity ran from the Coacher's Box out in the Field to 2nd Base and interfered with the Play being made. Emslie, who said he did not watch Merkle, asked me if Merkle touched 2nd Base. I said he did not. Then Emslie called Merkle out, and I would not allow McCormick's Run to score. The Game at the end of the 9th inning was 1–1. The People ran out on the Field. I did not ask to have the Field cleared, as it was too dark to continue play.
Yours respt.
(signed)
Henry O'Day
O'Day called balls and strikes for no-hitters in four decades, a distinction which has been matched only by Harry Wendelstedt
Harry Wendelstedt
Harry Hunter Wendelstedt, Jr. is a former umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the National League from 1966 to 1998. He umpired in the World Series in 1973, 1980, 1986, 1991 and 1995, serving as crew chief in 1980 and 1995...
. During the 1920 World Series, O'Day was the second base umpire when Bill Wambsganss
Bill Wambsganss
William Adolf Wambsganss was a second baseman in Major League Baseball. From 1914 through 1926, Wambsganss played for the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, and Philadelphia Athletics...
executed the only unassisted triple play
Unassisted triple play
In baseball, an unassisted triple play occurs when a defensive player makes all three putouts by himself in one continuous play, without any teammates touching the ball . In Major League Baseball , it is one of the rarest of individual feats, along with hitting four home runs in one game and the...
in Series history.
In 1912
1912 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: Boston Red Sox over New York Giants -Awards and honors:*Chalmers Award**Tris Speaker, Boston Red Sox, OF** Larry Doyle, New York Giants, 2B-MLB statistical leaders:-American League final standings:...
, O'Day agreed to become the manager of the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, whom he guided to a 75–78 record. After returning to umpiring in 1913, he managed the Cubs to a 78–76 finish in 1914
1914 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: Boston Braves over Philadelphia Athletics -Awards and honors:*Chalmers Award** Eddie Collins, Philadelphia Athletics, 2B** Johnny Evers, Boston Braves, 2B-MLB statistical leaders:-American League final standings:...
, and then went back to umpiring for good. Both teams which he managed finished in fourth place. He retired following the 1927 season and became the NL's scout for new umpires.
O'Day began his career in an era during which only one umpire worked in most games, and he spent the remainder in a time when only two were used. In addition, this period witnessed constant violence against umpires, from both players and spectators. To deal with the resulting solitary life of his profession, O'Day chose to live an intensely private life, avoiding the hangers-on who habituated the major league hotels and travel routes, and assiduously maintaining a taciturn aloofness from those who demonstrated an eagerness to get to know him. He did, however, develop a lasting friendship with fellow umpire Emslie, one of his pitching opponents in the 1880s, after both had been in the league for a number of years; he also enjoyed long friendships with John Heydler
John Heydler
John Arnold Heydler was an American executive in Major League Baseball.-Biography:Born in La Fargeville, New York, he began working as a printer, eventually being employed at the U.S. Government Printing Office....
, who had been a fellow umpire in the 1890s and later became O'Day's supervisor as NL president, and Connie Mack
Connie Mack (baseball)
Cornelius McGillicuddy, Sr. , better known as Connie Mack, was an American professional baseball player, manager, and team owner. The longest-serving manager in Major League Baseball history, he holds records for wins , losses , and games managed , with his victory total being almost 1,000 more...
, who had been O'Day's catcher for 3 years in Washington.
Later life
Projecting a grim and forbidding demeanor to most observers throughout his career, he was nonetheless quite moved by the expressions of affection he received following an appendectomy in 1926; individuals throughout the game who regarded him as unapproachable, and perhaps somewhat grouchy, had come to revere his great reputation for integrity and ethics, and his unwavering insistence that the rules must be honored in both letter and spirit.O'Day died of bronchial pneumonia at age 72 in Chicago, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery.
External links
- Baseball Hall of Fame - 2008 Veterans Committee candidate profile
- SABR Biography
- BaseballLibrary.com - biography and career highlights
- Retrosheet
- Obituary at The Deadball Era
- Photos at DeadBallEra.com
- Hank O'Day at Find a GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...