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Big Six · 07-04-2006, 12:11 PM

South Bend Tribune, April 18, 1936

FIGHTING IRISH SWEEP WEEKEND SERIES WITH WOLVERINES
O’Farrell Applies Whitewash

SOUTH BEND—A chill wind whipped across the diamond, making the afternoon feel much better suited for football than baseball. Mike O’Farrell plays both sports here at Notre Dame, however, and he’s never let a bit of brisk weather bother him.

“I’m from New England,” the junior pitcher said with a grin. “This kind of weather is just fine with me.”

O’Farrell came by that grin honestly, as he had just completed a fine day’s work on the pitching mound. He threw a four-hit shutout at the Michigan Wolverines, leading the Fighting Irish to a 3-0 victory that completed Notre Dame’s sweep of a three-game weekend series.

The tall, broad-shouldered righthander fired his crackling fastball past one Michigan hitter after another, and mixed in the devilish curve he unveiled this spring. The addition of this pitch, which O’Farrell might throw anywhere in the count, has made a good pitcher into an excellent one. The victory was O’Farrell’s fifth of the season, against only one loss.

Andy Pilney was the hitting star for the Irish, swatting a two-run double in the third inning that gave O’Farrell all the runs he would need. Moments later, Pilney advanced to third on a ground out and scored Notre Dame's third and final run on a wild pitch.

“My Uncle Joe helped me with my curve,” O’Farrell said humbly. Before you conjure up too homely a scene, however, please note that Mike O’Farrell’s Uncle Joe is none other than Smokey Joe Wood, who won 350 major league ballgames and is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

“I don’t throw nearly as hard as Uncle Joe did,” O’Farrell admits. “He probably threw as hard as anybody ever has.” Young Mike brings it up there pretty well, however—well enough to merit consideration as a possible All-American selection, and well enough to draw considerable attention from bird dogs who would love to get his signature on a professional contract.

For now, O’Farrell has no plans to sign on the dotted line. “I’m looking forward to football season. I have one more year of football, and I want to enjoy that first.” O’Farrell, a quarterback, started three games for the Irish gridders last fall, and his leaping interception with two minutes remaining in the game saved Notre Dame’s dramatic 18-13 victory over Ohio State.

One question remained for young O’Farrell. Could he strike out his father Pat, one of the greatest hitters ever to play the game?

Mike O’Farrell simply laughed. “My Dad’s fifty years old, but if I pitched to him, he’d probably hit a line drive back at me. I’d have to hit the dirt or get my head taken off.”

Read that as a compliment of the skill of the father as a batsman, not as an indictment of the ability of the son as a pitcher.

07-04-2006, 12:11 PM	#1001 (permalink)
Big Six Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 2,410 Thanks: 117 Thanked 91x in 73 posts	Goose eggs South Bend Tribune, April 18, 1936 FIGHTING IRISH SWEEP WEEKEND SERIES WITH WOLVERINES O’Farrell Applies Whitewash SOUTH BEND—A chill wind whipped across the diamond, making the afternoon feel much better suited for football than baseball. Mike O’Farrell plays both sports here at Notre Dame, however, and he’s never let a bit of brisk weather bother him. “I’m from New England,” the junior pitcher said with a grin. “This kind of weather is just fine with me.” O’Farrell came by that grin honestly, as he had just completed a fine day’s work on the pitching mound. He threw a four-hit shutout at the Michigan Wolverines, leading the Fighting Irish to a 3-0 victory that completed Notre Dame’s sweep of a three-game weekend series. The tall, broad-shouldered righthander fired his crackling fastball past one Michigan hitter after another, and mixed in the devilish curve he unveiled this spring. The addition of this pitch, which O’Farrell might throw anywhere in the count, has made a good pitcher into an excellent one. The victory was O’Farrell’s fifth of the season, against only one loss. Andy Pilney was the hitting star for the Irish, swatting a two-run double in the third inning that gave O’Farrell all the runs he would need. Moments later, Pilney advanced to third on a ground out and scored Notre Dame's third and final run on a wild pitch. “My Uncle Joe helped me with my curve,” O’Farrell said humbly. Before you conjure up too homely a scene, however, please note that Mike O’Farrell’s Uncle Joe is none other than Smokey Joe Wood, who won 350 major league ballgames and is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. “I don’t throw nearly as hard as Uncle Joe did,” O’Farrell admits. “He probably threw as hard as anybody ever has.” Young Mike brings it up there pretty well, however—well enough to merit consideration as a possible All-American selection, and well enough to draw considerable attention from bird dogs who would love to get his signature on a professional contract. For now, O’Farrell has no plans to sign on the dotted line. “I’m looking forward to football season. I have one more year of football, and I want to enjoy that first.” O’Farrell, a quarterback, started three games for the Irish gridders last fall, and his leaping interception with two minutes remaining in the game saved Notre Dame’s dramatic 18-13 victory over Ohio State. One question remained for young O’Farrell. Could he strike out his father Pat, one of the greatest hitters ever to play the game? Mike O’Farrell simply laughed. “My Dad’s fifty years old, but if I pitched to him, he’d probably hit a line drive back at me. I’d have to hit the dirt or get my head taken off.” Read that as a compliment of the skill of the father as a batsman, not as an indictment of the ability of the son as a pitcher. __________________ My OOTP dynasties: The Base Ball Life of Patrick O'Farrell: where it all began The Baseball Life of Tom Haley: a story of a modern player The New England Baseball League: a fictional league story Last edited by Big Six; 07-14-2006 at 09:15 PM.