Jimmy Boyle
Boyle as a college player
Catcher
Born: (1904-01-19)January 19, 1904
Cincinnati, Ohio
Died: December 24, 1958(1958-12-24) (aged 54)
Cincinnati, Ohio
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 20, 1926, for the New York Giants
Last MLB appearance
June 20, 1926, for the New York Giants
Teams

Jimmy "Browntown" Boyle (January 19, 1904 in Cincinnati, Ohio – December 24, 1958 in Cincinnati, Ohio), a catcher for the 1926 New York Giants, has the distinction of having one of the shortest known Major League Baseball careers. Although Boyle is only one of about 900 ballplayers who have played in only a single major league game, he is distinguished by having played for only one inning, the ninth inning of a game against Pittsburgh in June of that year (which the Giants lost 8–0). After three outs, Boyle never got to bat and never played again; he is even further distinguished by having never played in the minors, moving straight to the Giants from college. He asked manager John McGraw for his release and it was granted August 2, 1926.

Playing History

Boyle was called up to New York in the summer of 1926, arriving by Pullman train car. He signed a contract for $250 to play with the Giants, minus a $30 deposit for both his home and away uniforms. His brief career started at the top of the ninth inning when John McGraw sent him to replace Paul Florence behind homeplate at the Polo Grounds. That would be the extent of his career in the Majors.[1]

Family History

Boyle's family emigrated from Ireland in the 1800s and settled in Cincinnati.[2] His father James worked as a brewery truck driver and a fireman.[1]

Jimmy was a second-generation ballplayer (uncommon in an era when there had only been two generations of ball players); his two uncles Jack and Eddie Boyle were catchers for the Phillies and Pirates, respectively. As well, his brother Buzz Boyle played for the Brooklyn Dodgers.[2]

Boyle played football and baseball at Xavier University in Cincinnati; he was class president and enjoyed "feminine companions and Chesterfield cigarettes" according to his yearbook.[3]

He is the grandfather of sportswriter Steve Rushin. His granddaughter remembers seeing his signed Giants contract next to a photo of him in uniform in their house.[2]

Jimmy died of leukemia on Christmas Eve, 1958.[1]

Sources

References

  1. 1 2 3 Rushin, Steve (2013). The 34-Ton Bat: The Story of Baseball as Told Through Bobbleheads, Cracker Jacks, Jockstraps, Eye Black, and 375 Other Strange and Unforgettable Objects. Little, Brown. ISBN 978-0316200943.
  2. 1 2 3 ESPN (2010). Fathers & Daughters & Sports, Featuring Jim Craig, Chris Evert, Mike Golic, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Sally Jenkins, Steve Rushin, Bill Simmons, and Others. Ballantine Del Rey. ISBN 9780345522078.
  3. ↑ "Musketeer yearbook". Xavier Yearbook. Cincinnati: Xavier University. 3. 1926.


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