Murnane's baseball career ran the gamut. He began playing before pro teams were organized, joined the National Association, and was a member of Harry Wright's 1877-78 National League champion Boston clubs. He managed Boston's entry in the ill-fated Union Association, scouted, and served as president of the New England League. Becoming a widely read sportswriter, he rose to the post of sports editor of the Boston Globe. The highly opinionated, jovial, white-haired bon vivant defended players ' rights, deplored high salaries, and criticized umpires. When he died at age 64 in 1917, leaving a widow and four young children, his grief-stricken colleagues organized a fund-raising game. The Red Sox donated the use of Fenway Park, and pitcher Babe Ruth shut out an all-star team directed by Connie Mack; the event raised $10,000. (ADS/JK)
| |
|
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
|
| » February 13, 1917: Tim Murnane, 64, 1B on the original Boston National League team of 1876 and later a leading Boston baseball writer, dies in Boston.
» September 27, 1917: The Red Sox play a benefit game against an AL all-star team and Babe Ruth and Rube Foster combine for a 2–0 shutout. The AL squad features Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, and Joe Jackson in the outfield. More than $14,000 is raised for the family of sports writer Tim Murnane, who died February 13th. Murnane had played and managed in Boston in the 19th century. Actress Fanny Brice helps sell programs and former heavyweight champ John L. Sullivan coaches 3B for the Sox. Ruth wins the fungo hitting contest with a drive of 402 feet, while Joe Jackson has the longest throw at an impressive 396 feet. |
|
|
|
BALLPLAYERS | TEAMS | CHRONOLOGY | TODAY | BOOKS | NEWSLETTER | ERRATA | FAQ
