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A National League receiver for 21 years, O'Farrell caught such greats as Grover Alexander, Dizzy Dean, and Carl Hubbell - whose 1929 no-hitter he caught. In 1926 he was named league MVP, batting .293 and catching 146 games for the World Champion Cardinals. He threw out Babe Ruth trying to steal with the Yankees down, 3-2, to end the '26 World Series. In a surprising move, he was chosen to succeed Rogers Hornsby as Cardinal manager for 1927, and lost the pennant by game and a half to the Pirates. (JK)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » May 23, 1925: The Cards trade C Mike Gonzalez and infielder Howard Freigau to the Cubs for catcher Bob O'Farrell. O'Farrell, who suffered a fractured skull from a foul tip, played just 71 games in 1924 and lost his job to Gabby Hartnett. But O'Farrell will have a banner year for the Cards, hitting .293 and catching 146 games, and then take over as manager in 1927. Freigau will hit .307 for the year. » December 5, 1926: Cardinals C Bob O'Farrell is named National League MVP. O'Farrell caught 146 games and batted .293. He polls 79 points. Reds 2B Hughie Critz is runner-up with 60. Critz set a major-league record handling 588 assists, which will be topped by Frank Frisch with 643 in 1927. » December 28, 1926: The National League's 1926 MVP Bob O'Farrell is named to replace Hornsby as Cards manager. The job was reportedly first offered to Bill Killefer who, out of loyalty to Hornsby turned it down, and quit. Killefer will sign on as a coach of the Browns. » March 17, 1927: In a battle of Irish managers on St. Patrick's Day, the Cardinals beat John McGraw's Giants, 3–0, in a Grapefruit League contest. Cards manager Bob O'Farrell also clouts a home run. » November 7, 1927: Bill McKechnie, who had been a coach, replaces Bob O'Farrell as St. Louis Cardinals manager, and Burt Shotton moves up from Syracuse (IL) to manage the Phils. » May 10, 1928: The Giants send OF George Harper to the Cards for C Bob O'Farrell. O'Farrell, who managed the Birds in 1927, never regained his effectiveness behind the plate after an arm injury. The trade makes room for 18-year-old Mel Ott to take over the RF position, a spot he will hold for 18 years. » October 10, 1932: The Giants get C Gus Mancuso from the Cards for 4 players, including veteran Bob O'Farrell. » January 11, 1934: The Cardinals send C Bob O'Farrell and P Syl Johnson to the Phillies for P Glenn Spencer and cash. The Phils immediately name O'Farrell as player-manager. » July 28, 1934: Chuck Dressen, who will win pennants in Brooklyn and manage 16 seasons in the ML, begins by replacing Bob O'Farrell at the helm for the Cincinnati Reds.