Pud Galvin's Obituary

James Galvin, the once famous ball pitcher, is dead at his home in Allegheny, Pa., aged 47. He had been ill for four months with (an ailment) of the stomach. Galvin was a product of the famous "Kerry Patch," St. Louis, which produced such players as Scrappy Joyce...and Jack O'Connor. In 1877 he was purchased from Buffalo by the Pittsburg National league club and played there three seasons. He went back to the famous Buffalo organization and played four season, and joined Pittsburg again in 1893, but was released to St. Louis. In 1894 he played in the Eastern league, but his pitching arm gave out. He was appointed umpire in the National league, but lasted only a short time. He started a saloon in Allegheny, but not being a man of business he lost his place. He was foreman for a contractor, and lately a bartender.

I found Galvin's obit at The Deadball Era and it's dated March 8, 1902. While I assume that it originally appeared in The Sporting News, there is no source listed and I was unable to independently verify it.

The 1890 Boston Beaneaters?

Perusing Bill Burgess' collection of 19th century photographs over at Baseball Fever, I noticed a team picture of the 1890 Boston Beaneaters and realized that I knew most of the guys on the team. While that may speak to an over-familiarity with 19th century baseball, I thought it was more interesting that several of the Beaneaters had St. Louis connections.

Looking at the team photo, Chippy McGarr, who played with the Browns in 1888, is in the back row at the far left. Patsy Donovan, who lived in St. Louis, played with the St. Louis Nationals from 1900-1903, and was technically the first manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, is in the back row, third from the left. Bill identifies the player third from the right as Scrappy Bill Joyce, a St. Louis native-although Joyce isn't listed on the team roster. Tommy Tucker, back row, far right, played with the Browns in 1898. Kid Nichols, middle row, far left, played with the Cardinals in 1904 and 1905. Steve Brodie, middle row, far right, played for the Browns in 1892 and 1893. Another Beaneater not in the picture but who played for the Browns in 1892 was Charlie Getzien.

I realize that this is apropos of nothing and it's certainly not unique but I was fascinated by the randomness of it.

Scrappy Bill Joyce

"William Joyce, 'Scrappy Bill,' a born and bred in St. Louis player, finished his professional career as the third baseman, captain and manager of the New York Giants, Joyce in his day was one of the greatest of third basemen, and he was a great left-handed batsman. He commenced playing in the eighties with local teams of St. Louis and started from here on a professional career that ended at the very top of the ladder. He was known around the baseball circuit as 'Home-Run Bill.' He was one of the grandest ball players ever sent into the big leagues by St. Louis."

-from The National Game