From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
American baseball player and manager (1855?1932)
Baseball player
John Morrill
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Infielder
/
Manager
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Born:
(
1855-02-19
)
February 19, 1855
Boston, Massachusetts
, U.S.
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Died:
April 2, 1932
(1932-04-02)
(aged 77)
Brookline, Massachusetts
, U.S.
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Batted:
Right
Threw:
Right
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April 24, 1876, for the Boston Red Caps
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July 8, 1890, for the Boston Reds
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Batting average
| .260
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Home runs
| 43
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Runs batted in
| 643
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As player
As manager:
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John Francis Morrill
(February 19, 1855 ? April 2, 1932), nicknamed "
Honest John
", was an American
first baseman
and
manager
in
Major League Baseball
who played from 1876 to 1890 for the
Boston Red Caps/Beaneaters
,
Washington Nationals
, and
Boston Reds
. Over the years he played all positions. Although he
pitched
a couple of games each season, he was primarily an infielder, and had a career
batting average
of .260.
Early life
[
edit
]
Morrill's parents were Irish emigrants to
Boston
, where Morrill was born. He played for amateur teams including the Boston Stars and the Lowell Lowells prior to being signed by the Boston Red Legs in 1876.
Career
[
edit
]
Morrill stood 5'11" and weighed 155 pounds as he began his major league career, and he had been known as a second baseman and catcher. Once he arrived in the major leagues, Morrill only played 23 games at catcher, all of them in his first season with Boston. An obituary stated that he was one of the last catchers to appear at the position without a glove.
[1]
In an incredible season in
1883
, he batted .316, played six different positions, and led the
Boston Beaneaters
to the
National League
pennant after taking over as manager from
Jack Burdock
in midseason.
[2]
Popular baseball manager
King Kelly
described Morrill as a careful manager who saved Boston a great deal of money through his decisions. Kelly cited Morrill's understanding of the rules when he said that Morrill was a better manager than anyone besides
Cap Anson
. Kelly dismissed the popular notion that he did not get along with Morrill.
[3]
Later life
[
edit
]
Morrill raised five children. After his retirement as a player, Morrill worked for a Boston sporting goods company, where he was manager and treasurer.
[1]
He died at the age of 77 in
Brookline, Massachusetts
, and he was interred at the
Holyhood Cemetery
. The cause of death was
pneumonia
.
[1]
See also
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]
References
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]
External links
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edit
]
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International
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National
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Other
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