Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Joe Connolly

"Joseph Aloysius Connolly (February 1, 1884 – September 1, 1943) was a left fielder in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Boston Braves from 1913 through 1916. Listed at 5 ft 7.5 in (1.71 m), 165 lb., Connolly batted left-handed and threw right-handed. A native of North Smithfield, Rhode Island, Connolly was a prominent member of the 1914 Boston Braves World Champions. As for his defense at left field, the Boston Sunday Post wrote 'he is fairly fast, the possessor of a strong wing (arm) and he covers a good extent of territory.' Connolly made his professional debut as a pitcher in 1906 with the Putnam, Connecticut team of the New England League. From 1908 to 1912, he divided his playing time with Class-A Little Rock and Class-B Zanesville teams, playing some outfield when he was not pitching. In 1909, while in Zanesville, he posted a 23–8 record and hit .308 during the season."
Wikipedia

"Joey Connolly (Total Baseball lists him as 'Joe,' but local newspapers and family members confirm that he went by 'Joey') was the offensive star of the Boston Braves during their most successful period of the Deadball Era. A left-handed batter who played predominantly against right-handed pitching, Connolly usually batted third in the order and compiled a .288 average over his four seasons in the major leagues. As for his defense in left field, the BostonSunday Post wrote that he 'is fairly fast, the possessor of a strong wing and he covers a good extent of territory.' Though Napoleon Lajoie is the greatest baseball player ever born in Rhode Island, Connolly probably had a greater impact on the social and cultural fabric of 'Little Rhody' than any other ex-big leaguer."
SABR

Good Natured Joe Connolly, the Man Who Always Smiles
PDF: LA 84 Foundation

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