John O'Neil/pagetext

From SABR Encyclopedia

Contents 1 Profile 1.1 Personal 1.2 Pre-professional career 1.3 Achievements 1.4 Outside of baseball 2 Sources

Profile

Personal

• Resided in Jamestown, New York in 1953 and 1954.
• Self-identified as being of Irish ancestry in 1953, "Kentucky Scottish, Irish, and English" ancestry in 1954.
• Listed hobbies as movies and dancing in 1953, fishing and golf in 1954.
• Helping three clubs to win pennants was his greatest thrill in baseball in 1953.

Pre-professional career

• Graduated from Pikeville College Academy School in 1937.
• Won three letters in baseball at Pikesville Academy.
• Played basketball at Pikesville College Academy.
• Attended Pikeville College for two years.
• Played basketball at Pikeville College.
• Attended the University of Kentucky for one year.
• Won two baseball letters at the University of Kentucky.
• Played semi-pro ball in the coal fields.

Achievements

• Led the 1942 Canadian-American League shortstops in fielding average with .947.
• Led the 1944 Pacific Coast League shortstops in assists with 520.
• Led the 1946 Pacific Coast League shortstops in putouts with 346.
• Led the 1947 Pacific Coast League shortstops in fielding average with .961.
• Led the 1945 Pacific Coast League in triples with 13.
• Led the 1949 Pacific Coast League in sacrifice hits with 22.

Outside of baseball

• Was a locomotive fireman during the off-season.

Sources

• 1953 Pacific Coast League Sketch Book.
• 1954 California League Gold Book (Sixth Edition).