Thomas Francis Michael McCarthy (July 24, 1863 – August 5, 1922) was an American Major League Baseball player. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946.
Career
McCarthy was born on July 24, 1863, in Boston, Massachusetts, the eldest son of seven surviving children to Daniel and Sarah McCarthy née Healy. Daniel McCarthy was born in County Kerry, Ireland. After graduating from South Boston's John A. Andrew Grammar School, McCarthy worked for a clothing company during the day and played baseball at night. In 1884, he went to work for a piano company, where he received $18 a week for work in their factory and play for the company baseball team. He was also a scout for the Cincinnati Reds (1909–1912), Boston Braves (1913–1915) and Boston Red Sox (1920) and manager of the Newark Bears (1918).
In 1921, McCarthy had a severe attack of double pneumonia and was in critical condition. He recovered and traveled south for the winter. His health declined when he returned home and in June was diagnosed with cancer. He died on August 5, 1922.
Hall of Fame selection
McCarthy's selection into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946 by the Old Timers Committee has always been a controversial one due to his less than spectacular statistics, especially when compared to those of his fellow inductees and some players who have not yet been honored.
In his 2001 book, The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract, Sabermetrician Bill James makes the point that McCarthy was held in such high esteem because of his introduction of the "hit and run" play into the game. This play, among other novel strategies (such as batter to baserunner signals, etc.) that he and his Boston teammates utilized, were a clever and gentlemanly counter to the rough and tumble "Baltimore" style of play which was, at the time, giving baseball a bad name. Nevertheless, in the same book, James also said that McCarthy is the worst right fielder in the Hall of Fame. As of 2014, McCarthy had the lowest Jaffe Wins Above Replacement Score of any player in the Hall of Fame.
According to SABR, McCarthy is also the only Union Association player elected to the Hall of Fame.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders
- List of Major League Baseball player-managers
- List of St. Louis Cardinals team records