[Archive]

Posted By: Kevin Cummings

First off, the E card is definitely not Rowdy Jack, although like Paddy O'Connor he does appear in the M116 set.

O'Connor was a tough guy, as you had to be when you played in the 1890s. O'Connor's childhood buddy, Patsy Tebeau, coached the abysmal Cleveland Spiders and toughness was their whole game (because they sure couldn't play baseball). Although not known as an outstanding player, he was one of the youngest catchers ever to play pro ball (starting at age 18 in 1887 with the Cincinnati Red Stockings) and did achieve some firsts - first to catch 100 or more games and collect 100 or more hits in the same season (1890) and first to catch 100 or more games and bat .300 in the same season (1890). He was the manager of the St. Louis Browns team that "gave" Nap Lajoie the batting title over Ty Cobb in 1910 by allowing Lajoie to bunt for hits all day long.

Here's a picture of Jack at age 21 with the Columbus Solons (third row from the top; second player from the left):