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
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
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]
^ abc"Morrill, veteran, dies". The New York Times. April 3, 1932.
^"John Morrill's career statistics". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet, Inc. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
^Kelly, Mike “King” (1888). "Play Ball": Stories from the Diamond Field and Other Historical Writings about the 19th Century Hall of Famer. Press of Emery & Hughes. p. 33. ISBN9780786423637.
External links
Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference
August 17, 2023
john, morrill, baseball, john, francis, morrill, february, 1855, april, 1932, nicknamed, honest, john, american, first, baseman, manager, major, league, baseball, played, from, 1876, 1890, boston, caps, beaneaters, washington, nationals, boston, reds, over, ye. 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 John MorrillInfielder ManagerBorn 1855 02 19 February 19 1855Boston Massachusetts U S Died April 2 1932 1932 04 02 aged 77 Brookline Massachusetts U S Batted RightThrew RightMLB debutApril 24 1876 for the Boston Red CapsLast MLB appearanceJuly 8 1890 for the Boston RedsMLB statisticsBatting average 260Home runs43Runs batted in643TeamsAs player Boston Red Caps Beaneaters 1876 1888 Washington Nationals 1889 Boston Reds 1890 As manager Boston Red Caps Beaneaters 1882 1888 Washington Nationals 1889 Career highlights and awards3 NL pennant 1877 1878 1883 Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Later life 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksEarly life EditMorrill 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 EditMorrill 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 EditMorrill 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 EditList of Major League Baseball annual saves leaders List of Major League Baseball player managersReferences Edit a b c Morrill veteran dies The New York Times April 3 1932 John Morrill s career statistics retrosheet org Retrosheet Inc Retrieved 2009 05 20 Kelly Mike King 1888 Play Ball Stories from the Diamond Field and Other Historical Writings about the 19th Century Hall of Famer Press of Emery amp Hughes p 33 ISBN 9780786423637 External links EditCareer statistics and player information from Baseball Reference Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Morrill baseball amp oldid 1163146729, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
