Jack Onslow
Encyclopedia
John James Onslow was an American
player, manager
, coach
and scout in Major League Baseball
.
At age 60, Onslow became one of the oldest rookie
managers in MLB annals when he was named skipper of the Chicago White Sox
in the fall of 1948, succeeding Hall of Fame pitcher
Ted Lyons. Onslow managed the South Siders for the entire season, finishing sixth in the American League
with a 63-91 record. But he could not get along with his boss, Chisox general manager
Frank Lane
, and clashed with players and the media. After a poor start in , when the White Sox dropped 22 of their first 30 contests, Onslow was replaced by one of his coaches, Red Corriden
. His career record as a manager: 71 wins, 113 defeats (.386).
Born in Scottdale, Pennsylvania
, Onslow played 36 games as a major league catcher
for the 1912 Detroit Tigers
and 1917 New York Giants
, batting
.169, but was a popular baseball figure as a longtime coach for a number of teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates
(1925–26), Washington Senators
(1927), St. Louis Cardinals
(1928), Philadelphia Phillies
(1931–32) and Boston Red Sox
(1934). In addition, he scouted for the White Sox and Boston Braves
for several years and held a similar job with the Red Sox when he died, at 72, in Concord, Massachusetts
, from a heart attack
in . To people around the game, Onslow was known as one of the most garrulous raconteurs of his day.
Onslow also managed minor league
clubs for six seasons. His Memphis Chicks
won 92 games in 1948, finishing second in the Southern Association
, prompting his promotion to manager of the parent White Sox. Onslow's younger brother, Eddie
, also played Major League Baseball and managed in the minor leagues.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
player, 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...
, coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
and scout 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...
.
At age 60, Onslow became one of the oldest rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
managers in MLB annals when he was named skipper of the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
in the fall of 1948, succeeding Hall of Fame 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...
Ted Lyons. Onslow managed the South Siders for the entire season, finishing sixth in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
with a 63-91 record. But he could not get along with his boss, Chisox general manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
Frank Lane
Frank Lane
Frank Lane was an American executive in professional baseball, most notably serving as a general manager in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox, St...
, and clashed with players and the media. After a poor start in , when the White Sox dropped 22 of their first 30 contests, Onslow was replaced by one of his coaches, Red Corriden
Red Corriden
John Michael "Red" Corriden was a player, coach, manager and scout in American Major League Baseball. A shortstop and third baseman in his playing days, Corriden appeared in 223 major league games with the St. Louis Browns , Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs , batting .205...
. His career record as a manager: 71 wins, 113 defeats (.386).
Born in Scottdale, Pennsylvania
Scottdale, Pennsylvania
Scottdale is a borough in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburgh. Scottdale is the home of the Southmoreland Scotties. Early in the 20th century, Scottdale was the center of the Frick coke interests...
, Onslow played 36 games as a major league 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...
for the 1912 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...
and 1917 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....
, batting
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.169, but was a popular baseball figure as a longtime coach for a number of teams, including 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...
(1925–26), Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
(1927), St. Louis Cardinals
St. 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...
(1928), 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...
(1931–32) and Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(1934). In addition, he scouted for the White Sox and Boston Braves
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....
for several years and held a similar job with the Red Sox when he died, at 72, in Concord, Massachusetts
Concord, Massachusetts
Concord is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 17,668. Although a small town, Concord is noted for its leading roles in American history and literature.-History:...
, from a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
in . To people around the game, Onslow was known as one of the most garrulous raconteurs of his day.
Onslow also managed minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
clubs for six seasons. His Memphis Chicks
Memphis Chicks
The Memphis Chicks were an American minor league baseball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The Chicks were charter members of the Southern Association from 1901 until November 18, 1960, when the club folded and was transferred to Macon, Georgia for 1961.The Chicks suffered a...
won 92 games in 1948, finishing second in the Southern Association
Southern Association
The Southern Association was a higher-level minor league in American organized baseball from 1901 through 1961. For most of its existence, the Southern Association was two steps below the Major Leagues; it was graded Class A , Class A1 and Class AA...
, prompting his promotion to manager of the parent White Sox. Onslow's younger brother, Eddie
Eddie Onslow
Edward Joseph Onslow was a first baseman in American Major League Baseball. He played for the Detroit Tigers , Cleveland Indians and Washington Senators...
, also played Major League Baseball and managed in the minor leagues.