Rip Egan
Encyclopedia
John Joseph "Rip" Egan was a professional baseball
player (pitcher) throwing right-handed and later an umpire
. Egan played seven seasons in professional baseball, including one in Major League Baseball
. On April 30, 1894, Egan made his major league debut with the Washington Senators. In his only game, Egan gave-up six runs
, all earned and struck out
two. After his playing career was over, Egan managed
in the minor leagues
and was a major league umpire. Egan was sometimes known as "Jack". He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, married Eleanor McGarrahan (July 14, 1898) and raised two daughters, Judith and Eleanor.
of the Eastern League. Later that season, Egan was signed by the major league Washington Senators. In his debut on April 30, 1894, Egan pitched five innings
and gave-up five runs
. That game would prove to be his final major league game as a player. Egan continued to play in the minor leagues in 1895. That season, he played for the Class-B Omaha Omahogs of the Western Association
. With the Omahogs, Egan went 16–14 in 36 games, 31 starts
with one shutout
. For the next two seasons (1896–1897), Egan played for the Class-A Detroit Tigers
(a minor league team at the time) of the Western League. Statistics were not kept during his first season with the Tigers, however, during his second Egan went 11–14 with a 3.36 earned run average
(ERA), one shutout and 64 strikeouts in 29 games, 24 starts. In 1898, Egan joined the Class-A Kansas City Blues, also of the Western League. He went 16–12 with five shutouts in 31 games, 27 starts. That season, Egan led the league in shutouts. He spent his final season with Kansas City in 1899. Statistics were not kept for that season. In 1900, Egan split the season between the Class-A Cleveland Lake Shores of the American League
and the Class-B Omaha Omahogs of the Western League. With Omaha, Egan went 4–3 in seven games, all starts. Finally, with Cleveland, he went 1–1 in two games, both starts. He was released from Cleveland in mid-May because the team had to make cuts in their payroll
. That year would prove to be his final season as a player in professional baseball.
in the American League
. In David W. Anderson's book, More Than Merkle: A History of the Best and Most Exciting Baseball Season in Human History, it cites Egan as a "highly regarded" umpire, however, during the 1908 season, he took criticism from the Cleveland
press because of a call he made in a "key late-season game" between the Cleveland Naps and the St. Louis Cardinals
. Egan umpired two no-hitters. The first was thrown by Frank Smith
on September 20, 1908. The second no-hitter was thrown by Joe Benz
on May 31, 1914. Egan was an umpire during the 1913 World Series
. He was also an umpire in the Eastern League. After the 1914 season, Egan was not retained by the American League and there was speculation that he would join the Federal League
.
career with the minor league Milwaukee Brewers
. Next season, he managed the minor league Class-A Minneapolis Millers
. In 1920, he returned to the Brewers and his tenure ended after the 1921 season. During his time with the Brewers, it was reported that while riding the same train back to Milwaukee as the Kansas City Blues
, Egan served alcohol to their pitcher until 3 a.m. in hopes of keeping the Blues from playing at full potential for the doubleheader
they were scheduled to play the next day against the Brewers. His trick did not work as Milwaukee was held to just two hits
. In 1926, Egan was the manager and president
of the Scranton Miners
. In the 1930s, Egan coached baseball at Providence College
. Egan was also a scout for the Boston Red Sox
and the Pittsburgh Pirates
. During his time with the Red Sox, he was responsible for signing numerous players including Ray Champagne, and Mickey Harris
. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
described Egan as having "one of the finest all-around records and backgrounds in baseball today" after he signed with the Pirates as a scout in 1946. On December 22, 1950, Egan died in Cranston, Rhode Island
and was buried in Section 5, Lot 155 at St. Ann Cemetery.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player (pitcher) throwing right-handed and later 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...
. Egan played seven seasons in professional baseball, including one 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...
. On April 30, 1894, Egan made his major league debut with the Washington Senators. In his only game, Egan gave-up six runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, all earned and struck out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
two. After his playing career was over, Egan managed
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 the minor leagues
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...
and was a major league umpire. Egan was sometimes known as "Jack". He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, married Eleanor McGarrahan (July 14, 1898) and raised two daughters, Judith and Eleanor.
Playing career
Egan began his professional playing career in 1894 with the minor league Providence ClamdiggersProvidence Grays
The Providence Grays were a Major League Baseball team based in Providence, Rhode Island who played in the National League from until . The Grays played at Messer Field in the Olneyville neighborhood. The team won the National League title twice, in and...
of the Eastern League. Later that season, Egan was signed by the major league Washington Senators. In his debut on April 30, 1894, Egan pitched five innings
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
and gave-up five runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
. That game would prove to be his final major league game as a player. Egan continued to play in the minor leagues in 1895. That season, he played for the Class-B Omaha Omahogs of the Western Association
Western Association
The Western Association was the name of five different leagues in American minor league baseball during the 19th and 20th centuries.The oldest league, originally established as the Northwestern League in 1883, was refounded as the Western Association on October 28, 1887...
. With the Omahogs, Egan went 16–14 in 36 games, 31 starts
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
with one shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
. For the next two seasons (1896–1897), Egan played for the Class-A 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...
(a minor league team at the time) of the Western League. Statistics were not kept during his first season with the Tigers, however, during his second Egan went 11–14 with a 3.36 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
(ERA), one shutout and 64 strikeouts in 29 games, 24 starts. In 1898, Egan joined the Class-A Kansas City Blues, also of the Western League. He went 16–12 with five shutouts in 31 games, 27 starts. That season, Egan led the league in shutouts. He spent his final season with Kansas City in 1899. Statistics were not kept for that season. In 1900, Egan split the season between the Class-A Cleveland Lake Shores of 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...
and the Class-B Omaha Omahogs of the Western League. With Omaha, Egan went 4–3 in seven games, all starts. Finally, with Cleveland, he went 1–1 in two games, both starts. He was released from Cleveland in mid-May because the team had to make cuts in their payroll
Payroll
In a company, payroll is the sum of all financial records of salaries for an employee, wages, bonuses and deductions. In accounting, payroll refers to the amount paid to employees for services they provided during a certain period of time. Payroll plays a major role in a company for several reasons...
. That year would prove to be his final season as a player in professional baseball.
Umpire career
From 1907 to 1914, Egan was an umpireUmpire (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 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...
. In David W. Anderson's book, More Than Merkle: A History of the Best and Most Exciting Baseball Season in Human History, it cites Egan as a "highly regarded" umpire, however, during the 1908 season, he took criticism from the Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
press because of a call he made in a "key late-season game" between the Cleveland Naps and the 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...
. Egan umpired two no-hitters. The first was thrown by Frank Smith
Frank Smith (1900s pitcher)
Frank Elmer Smith was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1904 to 1915. He played for the Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Terrapins, and Brooklyn Tip-Tops. Nicknamed "Piano Mover" because that was his offseason job, Smith was a mainstay of the White...
on September 20, 1908. The second no-hitter was thrown by Joe Benz
Joe Benz
Joseph Louis Benz was a pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1911-1919. He played for the Chicago White Sox. Benz's two main pitches were the spitball and the knuckleball.-See also:...
on May 31, 1914. Egan was an umpire during the 1913 World Series
1913 World Series
In the 1913 World Series, the Philadelphia Athletics beat the New York Giants four games to one.The A's pitching gave the edge to a closer-than-it-looked Series in 1913...
. He was also an umpire in the Eastern League. After the 1914 season, Egan was not retained by the American League and there was speculation that he would join the Federal League
Federal League
The Federal League of Base Ball Clubs, known simply as the Federal League, was an American professional baseball league that operated as a "third major league", in competition with the established National and American Leagues, from to...
.
Later life
In 1918, Egan began his managerialManager (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...
career with the minor league Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers (minor league baseball team)
The Milwaukee Brewers were a Minor League Baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They played in the American Association from 1902 through 1952.-A Milwaukee Tradition:...
. Next season, he managed the minor league Class-A Minneapolis Millers
Minneapolis Millers
The Minneapolis Millers were an American professional minor league baseball team that played in Minneapolis, Minnesota, until 1960. In the 19th century a different Minneapolis Millers were part of the Western League.The team played first in Athletic Park and later Nicollet Park.The name Minneapolis...
. In 1920, he returned to the Brewers and his tenure ended after the 1921 season. During his time with the Brewers, it was reported that while riding the same train back to Milwaukee as the Kansas City Blues
Kansas City Blues (American Association)
The Kansas City Blues are a former minor league baseball team located in Kansas City, Missouri, in the Midwestern United States. The team was one of the eight founding members of the American Association....
, Egan served alcohol to their pitcher until 3 a.m. in hopes of keeping the Blues from playing at full potential for the doubleheader
Doubleheader (baseball)
A doubleheader is a set of two baseball games played between the same two teams on the same day in front of the same crowd. In addition, the term is often used unofficially to refer to a pair of games played by a team in a single day, but in front of different crowds and not in immediate...
they were scheduled to play the next day against the Brewers. His trick did not work as Milwaukee was held to just two hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
. In 1926, Egan was the manager and president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of the Scranton Miners
Scranton Miners
The Scranton Miners were an Eastern Professional Basketball League basketball team based in Scranton, Pennsylvania that was a member of the American Basketball League. Arthur Pachter was the Owner and coach for many years...
. In the 1930s, Egan coached baseball at Providence College
Providence College
Providence College is a private, coeducational, Catholic university located about two miles west of downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States, the state's capital city. With a 2010–2011 enrollment of 3,850 undergraduate students and 735 graduate students, the College specializes in academic...
. Egan was also a scout for the 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"...
and 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...
. During his time with the Red Sox, he was responsible for signing numerous players including Ray Champagne, and Mickey Harris
Mickey Harris
Maurice Charles "Mickey" Harris was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox , Washington Senators and Cleveland Indians . Harris was born in New York, NY...
. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, also known simply as the "PG," is the largest daily newspaper serving metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.-Early history:...
described Egan as having "one of the finest all-around records and backgrounds in baseball today" after he signed with the Pirates as a scout in 1946. On December 22, 1950, Egan died in Cranston, Rhode Island
Cranston, Rhode Island
Cranston, once known as Pawtuxet, is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. With a population of 80,387 at the 2010 census, it is the third largest city in the state. The center of population of Rhode Island is located in Cranston...
and was buried in Section 5, Lot 155 at St. Ann Cemetery.
External links
- Family scrapbook scanned 2011 showing articles and cartoons about Rip Eagan PDF posted on GoogleDocs)