Bob O'Farrell
O'Farrell is one of the most forgotten players ever to win a Most Valuable Player Award. But during his time, he was a well-respected and sought-after catcher with fine defensive skills and a clutch bat. He hit .300 four times, and was the anchor behind the plate for three National League teams in his prime. In 1926 he was named NL MVP, helping to lead the Cardinals to their first World Series birth. O'Farrell gunned down Babe Ruth trying to steal second base in the seventh game, to end the Series and give St. Louis their first championship. When he retired in 1935, he ranked second in games caught in National League history, trailing Gabby Hartnett, the man whom had prompted his trade from the Cubs.
Played For
Chicago Cubs (1915-1925)
St. Louis Cardinals (1925-1928)
New York Giants (1928-1932)
St. Louis Cardinals (1933)
Cincinnati Reds (1934)
Chicago Cubs (1934)
St. Louis Cardinals (1935)
Managed
St. Louis Cardinals (1927)
Cincinnati Reds (1934)
All-Time Rankings
Bob O' Farrell ranks #27 among the Top 50 all-time at C. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1923
O'Farrell hit .319 with 12 homers, 84 RBI, 10 steals and a 67-38 BB/K ratio. He was, of course, also the best defensive catcher in the game.
Where He Played
Catcher
As a Manager
O'Farrell succeeded Hornsby as the Cardinals' manager in 1927, guiding the team to 92 wins and a second-place finish. In 1934, as his playing career faded, he agreed to skipper the Reds, and was fired 90 games into the season, with a 30-60 mark and in last place.
Born
Robert Arthur O'Farrell was born on October 19, 1896, in Waukegan, IL.
Died
February 20, 1988, Waukegan, IL
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: C
Primary Team: CHN
Major League Debut
September 5, 1915
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1915
Sam Rice
Rogers Hornsby
Joe Judge
George Sisler
Dave Bancroft
Dazzy Vance
Charlie Jamieson
George Kelly
Baby Doll Jacobson
Similar Players
Gus Mancuso, Frank Snyder, Mike Scioscia
Related Players
Gabby Hartnett replaced O'Farrell as the Cubs' regular catcher, in 1924... Babe Ruth was caught stealing by O'Farrell to end the 1926 World Series... Pete Alexander pitched to O'Farrell both in Chicago and St. Louis, and called the catcher one of his favorite targets... O'Farrell caught Carl Hubbell's 1929 no-hit game.
Post-Season Appearances
1918 World Series
1926 World Series
Post-Season Notes
O'Farrell had just a few token appearances in the 1918 World Series, which Chicago lost to Boston (the last time the Red Sox won a WS), because Bill Killefer was the Cubs' primary catcher. In 1926, O'Farrell caught every pitch of the Cardinals' seven-game win over the Yankees. He hit .304 (7-for-23) with a double, two walks and two RBI.
Awards and Honors
1926 NL MVP
Transactions
One of the greatest deals in St. Louis Cardinals' history occurred on May 23, 1925. St. Louis acquired O'Farrell for infielder Howard Freiqau and catcher Mike Gonzalez. O'Farrell was a team sparkplug the next four seasons, winning the 1926 MVP Award as the franchise won it's first title.
Best Strength as a Player
Defense and pitch-calling.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Power
Learn More about Bob O'Farrell
Search Amazon.com for Books about Bob O'Farrell ⇒
Search for Bob O'Farrell at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
