Jim Fogarty
From SABR Encyclopedia
| Jim Fogarty | |
| James G. Fogarty | |
| Bat/Throw: | R/R |
|---|---|
| Height: | 5' 10" |
| Weight: | 180 |
| Born: | 1864-2-12 at San Francisco, CA (US) |
| Died: | 1891-5-20 at Philadelphia, PA (US) |
| Interred: | Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, CA (US) |
| More info | |
| Statistics: | Retrosheet |
|---|---|
| SABR Searches: | Pictures of Jim Fogarty | width:90% height:65% scrolling:auto | Pictures}} · Bibliography |
Jas. G. Fogarty, the famous ball player, died in St. Joseph's Hospital, Philadelphia, May 20
of galloping consumption, which seems to be hereditary in his family, his father having been carried off by it two years ago, and his brother now lying at death's door in California similarly
afflicted. Fogarty came here from Los Angeles, Cal., in the latter part of February. Like countless other athletes he prided himself upon his strong physique, and disregarded the advice of his friends, and persisted in going without an overcoat. The change from the genial climate of California to the harsh wintry weather that prevailed here, was too much even for his stalwart frame, and on Feb 23 he was taken with hemorrhages at his rooms in the Girard House. He was subsequently removed to the home of Mr. Dennis McGowan. He grew rapidly worse, and on Thursday last he was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital. There he was constantly attended by Drs. Curtin and Ziegler, who exhausted every effort known to science to prolong his life, but without avail.
Fogarty was born Feb. 12, 1864, at San Francisco, Cal. He first played with an amateur club of his native city. His first professional engagement was with the Haverly Club, the champion team of San Francisco, for which he covered third base for two years. In 1884 Manager Larry Wrigbt, of the Philadelphia Club of the National League, following the example of several other clubs, started a reserve nine. Among the young players engaged was Fogarty. He was signed as an infielder, but after Remsen had proved weak at the bat Fogarty was given a trial in his place, at centre field, by the Philadelphia Club, and he soon developed into one of the best outfielders in the National League. He was a very fast runner, and could cover a remarkable amount of ground, while some of his catches were really of the phenomenal order. He was a good batsman, while as a base-runner he had no superiors and few equals. He could also play any infield position in good style, and was a very valuable man. He took delight in the game, and played for his club rather than for a record, taking desperate chances that some other players shirk in order to save their records. He accompanied the Chicago and All-America combination, as one of the latter team, on their tour around the world, and made many friends while away. Fogarty played for the Philadelphia Club, of the National League, for six successive seasons, and with the Philadelphia Club of the Players' League during the season of 1890. He was an ardent member of the Brotherhood of Ball Players, active in the revolt of the players last year, and loyal to their cause to the bitter end. In the reconstruction he was assigned to Pittsburg, and had come to terms with that club when he was stricken with the malady which brought a brilliant career to a premature close.
Fogarty was a handsome young man, of pleasing manners and of genial disposition, which made him many friends in and out of the profession. In fact, no ball player was ever more popular or had more devoted friends; and there is not a professional player in the country to whom the intelligence of his death will not come in the nature of a personal sorrow. His death is not only a loss from a playing standpoint, as players of his calibre are born, not made, but he was at all times, both on and off the field, a gentleman, something the profession can hardly spare. He was a member of the Union Republican Club and other social organizations in Philadelphia, and numbered among his friends some of the most influential men in business and political circles in Philadelphia.
Mrs. Fogarty, the mother of the deceased, left Los Angeles for Philadelphia Wednesday morning. As soon as Fogarty died she was intercepted by telegraph. The remains were embalmed and was forwarded to Los Angeles on Friday in care of Fogarty's most intimate friend in life Al Rohrbach. No funeral services were held here. The Athletic and Cincinnati teams subscribed $75 each for suitable floral emblems for the funeral at Los Angeles. John M. Ward also sent an order for $100 for a floral tribute on behalf of the Brotherhood of Ball Players. The Brooklyn Club also contributed a foral piece. All League and Association teams have decided to wear crape on the field for thirty days out of respect to the memory of the deceased. [1]
Brother of John "Jack" Fogarty.
Footnotes
- ↑ "Jas. G. Fogarty, Born Feb. 12, 1864; Died May 20, 1891", pg 2. Sporting Life, 1891-05-23. http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1891/VOL_17_NO_08/SL1708002.pdf.
