Jack Boyle
Encyclopedia
John Anthony Boyle nicknamed "Honest Jack", was an American
catcher
and first baseman
in Major League Baseball
. His younger brother, Eddie Boyle
, played in .
, Boyle began his professional baseball career in 1886, playing in one game for the Cincinnati Red Stockings
of the American Association
.
in exchange for Hugh Nicol
.
Jack caught only a couple of games until July 3. An injury to the regular catcher, Al "Doc" Bushong
, gave him his opportunity. He caught 87 straight games for the Bro
Boyle accompanied Charles Comiskey
to the Chicago Pirates
of the Players League
team in 1890, but returned with him to St. Louis the following year. In 1892 Jack signed with the New York Giants for a sum of $5,500. This was the largest salary ever paid to a major leaguer at this time.
After one season with New York, he was traded (with Jack Sharrott and cash) on March 11, 1893, to the Philadelphia Phillies
in exchange for Roger Connor
. There followed five years as a star catcher for the Philadelphia club. On July 9, 1898, he was sold by Philadelphia to the Giants for $1000. However, he did not play a single game for them and was returned to Philadelphia on August 15, 1898.
He also served as an umpire
in the National League
(4 games) and American Association
(1 game) between 1888 and 1897.
Boyle was 46 years of age when he died of Bright's Disease
at his home on Academy Avenue, Price Hill in Cincinnati, Ohio
. He was interred at the St. Joseph New Cemetery in Cincinnati.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
and first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
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...
. His younger brother, Eddie Boyle
Eddie Boyle
Edward J. Boyle was a catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Louisville Colonels and the Pittsburgh Pirates during the season. Listed at 6' 3", 200 lb., Boyle batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio...
, played in .
Early years
Born in Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
, Boyle began his professional baseball career in 1886, playing in one game for the Cincinnati Red Stockings
Cincinnati Red Stockings
The Cincinnati Red Stockings of were baseball's first fully professional team, with ten salaried players. The Cincinnati Base Ball Club formed in 1866 and fielded competitive teams in the National Association of Base Ball Players 1867–1870, a time of a transition that ambitious Cincinnati,...
of the American Association
American Association (19th century)
The American Association was a Major League Baseball league that existed for 10 seasons from to . During that time, it challenged the National League for dominance of professional baseball...
.
Career
On November 12, 1886, he was traded (along with $350) to the St. Louis BrownsSt. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
in exchange for Hugh Nicol
Hugh Nicol
Hugh N. Nicol was an American outfielder in Major League Baseball. His debut game took place on May 3, 1881. His final game took place on August 2, 1890. During his career, he played for Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Stockings of the National League and St. Louis Browns of the American...
.
Jack caught only a couple of games until July 3. An injury to the regular catcher, Al "Doc" Bushong
Doc Bushong
Albert John "Doc" Bushong was a catcher in Major League Baseball.Bushong bounced around various professional leagues from 1875 to 1891. His greatest success came with the 1885-1886 St...
, gave him his opportunity. He caught 87 straight games for the Bro
Boyle accompanied Charles Comiskey
Charles Comiskey
Charles Albert "The Old Roman" Comiskey was a Major League Baseball player, manager and team owner. He was a key person in the formation of the American League and later owned the Chicago White Sox...
to the Chicago Pirates
Chicago Pirates
The Chicago Pirates were a baseball team in the Players' League for a single season in 1890. The team played their home games at South Side Park . Their powerful National League rivals were the Chicago White Stockings. The Pirates recruited most of the White Stocking's players, and for this reason...
of the Players League
Players League
The Players' National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs, popularly known as the Players' League , was a short-lived but star-studded professional American baseball league of the 19th century...
team in 1890, but returned with him to St. Louis the following year. In 1892 Jack signed with the New York Giants for a sum of $5,500. This was the largest salary ever paid to a major leaguer at this time.
After one season with New York, he was traded (with Jack Sharrott and cash) on March 11, 1893, to 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 exchange for Roger Connor
Roger Connor
Roger Connor was a 19th century Major League Baseball player, born in Waterbury, Connecticut. Known for being the player whom Babe Ruth succeeded as the all-time home run champion, Connor hit 138 home runs during his 18-year career, and his career home run record stood for 23 years after his...
. There followed five years as a star catcher for the Philadelphia club. On July 9, 1898, he was sold by Philadelphia to the Giants for $1000. However, he did not play a single game for them and was returned to Philadelphia on August 15, 1898.
He also served as an 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...
in the 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...
(4 games) and American Association
American Association (19th century)
The American Association was a Major League Baseball league that existed for 10 seasons from to . During that time, it challenged the National League for dominance of professional baseball...
(1 game) between 1888 and 1897.
Final years
He opened a saloon in the Ohio River city on Seventh Street which grew into a successful business for him.Boyle was 46 years of age when he died of Bright's Disease
Bright's disease
Bright's disease is a historical classification of kidney diseases that would be described in modern medicine as acute or chronic nephritis. The term is no longer used, as diseases are now classified according to their more fully understood causes....
at his home on Academy Avenue, Price Hill in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
. He was interred at the St. Joseph New Cemetery in Cincinnati.