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Honored foe
Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 17, 1928
TRIBE FANS BID FAREWELL TO O'FARRELL
Red Sox Legend Plays Final Game In Cleveland, Receives Huge Ovation
CLEVELAND--One of the most respected and acclaimed players in the history of baseball, Pat O'Farrell of the Boston Red Sox, made his final appearance at League Park yesterday. The crowd that came out to bid O'Farrell goodbye packed every inch of the grandstand, and greeted the Red Sox second baseman with several lengthy ovations.
Before the activities on the diamond commenced, recent Hall of Fame inductee Jim Nealon, who became O'Farrell's friend when they barnstormed together several years ago, was present as the Cleveland club awarded O'Farrell a handsome plaque. O'Farrell and Nealon greeted each other warmly, and the crowd roared its approval. O'Farrell appeared humbled by the show of affection from the Cleveland rooters.
When O'Farrell emerged from the visitors' dugout and took the field in the bottom of the first inning, the fans rose to their feet, and O'Farrell waved his cap to the crowd and smiled broadly. Pat batted eighth in the Red Sox lineup, so he did not come to bat until the third inning; when he did, the umpires were forced to halt the game to allow the crowd to express their regard for him. Not a man, woman, or child was in a seat, but all rose, applauding and cheering O'Farrell, whose exploits at bat and in the field had handed the Clevelanders defeat on many occasions since he first appeared in a major league game in 1907.
Indians shortstop Ray Chapman was O'Farrell's double play partner in Boston for over a decade, and has nothing but kind words to say for his long-time teammate. "When I came to Boston in 1917, Pat was already a big star, the biggest in town. He welcomed me immediately; that's the kind of fellow he is. Baseball has been fortunate to have him, and I wish him nothing but the best."
O'Farrell has played sparingly lately, especially since the Red Sox clinched the American League pennant last week. Young Martin Dihigo has been regularly manning second base for the Boston club, a spot O'Farrell has occupied three thousand times in his long career.
Pat is visibly slowing, and he has stroked only two hits in the nine games he has played since the first of September. "It's time for me to move on," he said simply when asked if he believed his decision to retire was one he would reconsider. "I will play in the World Series, and then I'm going home."
The Red Sox won the game, 5-3, with Waite Hoyt pitching nine strong innings. Red Gunkel took the loss for the Tribe. O'Farrell went hitless in three at-bats, with one base on balls.
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