The Base Ball Life of Patrick O'Farrell

[Level]

Lordy, don't scare me like that.

I think you should purchase a fire proof safe and make weekly backups of your O'Farrell story and OOTP season 'just in case' and immediately place them in said safe. I'm not even sure you should give the wife the combination. You must take proper precautions for the sake of all the little boys and girls out there that love their Pat O'Farrell fix.

If your hd had gone out, we may have had to take up donations to pay for a $1000 data recovery attempt. They charge a ton but it might be worth it.

[William4192]

Big Six,

Please take proper precautions for the sake of Ole' Bill

[Big Six]

The computer scare turned out to be a faulty power supply, and NONE of my data was lost!!

My wife is actually quite a Pat O'Farrell fan herself. She "consulted" on Sarah's wedding, and has followed the story all along. She actually said, "if the hard drive crashes, you'll end up having the All-Americans' train derail in the mountains, won't you?"

But that won't be necessary now; my OOTP files are safe and sound, and that means Pat, Bill, and all the rest are, too.

[William4192]

Yahooo!!!!

[Big Six]

San Francisco Enquirer, November 16, 1920

ROY HITT'S ALL-AMERICANS IMPRESSIVE
Major Leaguers Defeat Negro League Stars, 4-3

SAN FRANCISCO--A large crowd of baseball aficionados were treated to an exhibition from some of the sport's most expert practicioners, both white and colored, yesterday at the Bay View grounds. Roy Hitt's All-Americans, a squad made up of stars from the major leagues who have been touring the West for almost a month now, defeated the Road Kings, an aggregation of Negro League standouts assembled by Bruce Petway. The final score was 4-3. Joe Wood and "Dizzy" Dismukes both demonstrated their finely honed skills, as each man had to face a lineup stocked with booming bats. Wood struck out eight men, walking none, while Dismukes fanned seven against one walk.

The Road Kings scored first, as left fielder Oscar Charleston led off the second inning with a booming double to the gap in left-center field. After Bingo Warren's ground ball to Pat O'Farrell at second moved Charleston to third, Oscar raced homeward on a deep fly ball by Tony Carter.

The All-Americans countered in the third frame, and then some. With one out, leadoff man Tillie Shafer laced a ball down the right field line that, with his speed, turned into a double. Harry Hooper bounced one right back to Dismukes, who held Shafer at second and retired Hooper. Working carefully, Dismukes passed O'Farrell on four wide ones. Then, with Shafer and O'Farrell on the move, Sandy Piez drilled a ball through the infield that second baseman Roy Gasaway nearly snared with a dive. Shafer crossed the plate, and O'Farrell slid into third.

After another walk to Joe Jackson, big Jim Nealon stepped to the slab. Nealon has been hot as a pistol throughout the All-Americans' tour, and once again, the first baseman delivered.

Nealon took a sharp curve from Dismukes and pounded it off the right field wall, missing a grand slam by inches. As was, the blow was good for two bases, and scored all three runners.

The gritty Road Kings battled back to tie the score in the sixth inning. With one out, Petway singled to center. Gasaway drove a ball to the deepest reaches of center field, and Petway came home easily. When Gasaway tried to stretch the hit into a triple, however, a powerful throw from Piez in center cut him down. Wood, perhaps shaken by Gasaway's blast, yielded a base hit to Charleston, and then a long home run to Bingo Warren. "That ball Warren hit was one of the longest balls I've ever had hit off me," Wood said after the game. "And it came on a good pitch, too."

Wood's mates regained the lead for him in the seventh, as the Road Kings' defense became sloppy. Dismukes threw wildly to first trying to retire Hooper. With O'Farrell up, Hooper lit out for second, and Petway, who is renowned for his strong, accurate arm, made a rare misfire. As the ball sailed into center, Harry reached third. O'Farrell delivered a fly to Torriente in center that was deep enough to score Hooper. Dismukes settled down to retire the side, and Wood held the Road Kings the rest of the way to seal the victory.

Today, the two teams meet again, with Walter Johnson and "Bullet" Joe Rogan the mound opponents.

[Big Six]

Fairmont Hotel
San Francisco, California

Mr. William Carrigan
145 Bowdoin Street
Worcester, Massachusetts

November 18, 1920


Dear Bill,

We played the fourth game of our first series against the Negro Leaguers this afternoon, and with our victory, we came away with three victories and one loss. Walter pitched a brilliant game the day before yesterday, and we swung the bats very well against a tough pitcher named Rogan. The final score was 9-1, but I don't believe for an instant that we will hit Rogan that hard the next time we face him. In fact, we didn't score against him after the third inning, as he and his catcher, Petway, made their adjustments.

Yesterday, a tall, lanky pitcher named Andy Cooper, whom I had met when we arrived in San Francisco, pitched beautifully against us, and shut us out 3-0. A tall, powerful outfielder named Oscar Charleston knocked in two runs with a long triple against Pol Perritt.

Today we had better luck, winning 10-6. Del Mason pitched for us, and I had my best game of the series, with three hits in five at-bats. I was amazed, however, when I attempted to steal second after my second hit. I read the pitcher's move well, and got a very good jump, the kind I've had hundreds of times. Suddenly I hear a whooshing sound, and their shortstop is slapping his glove on my ankle, well before my foot hits the bag. I know I'm out before the umpire makes his call. No disrespect intended to you, my friend, but I am not sure if I have ever seen a catcher with an arm like Bruce Petway showed me today.

There is one more interesting story I would like to share with you from our stay here in San Francisco. Last night, after dinner, I was sitting in the lobby with Roy Hitt, when a young man who looked vaguely familiar approached us. He introduced himself as Archie Graham, and then I remembered him; he had played the outfield for the team we had faced back in Sacramento. He explained that his home is in Minnesota, and that he had been playing ball in California that season. He asked Roy if he might be able to accompany us on the remainder of our tour, since we were going to St. Louis. Roy seemed skeptical at first, but let Graham continue.

Archie explained that he could make himself useful, throwing batting practice and saving our pitchers' arms. He offered to carry bags, haul equipment, get water, and do anything he could to assist us. I was just a bit surprised when Roy agreed to allow him to come along, until he pointed out that Cobb had returned his tickets to him when he left, and that the railroad wasn't overwhelmingly eager to refund them. Archie could use Ty's tickets for the remainder of the journey.

Archie doesn't know it, but Roy told me that if he works hard, he'll let him play a few innings in the outfield, and maybe get a couple of at-bats. I don't think he'll be overmatched, either, as he had a number of good swings against our pitchers back in Sacramento. Who knows? If things go well, some team might take a chance and sign Archie to a contract. He could be playing ball for a living, like we did when we were his age. Well, at least like I was doing when I was his age, back in Richmond.

I better close this letter before we both start to feel like old men. Playing base ball for nine straight months is enough to do it, believe me! Give your best to my family, buddy.

Your pal,
Pat

[Level]

/me walks to the living room and puts the field of dreams dvd in....

http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/grahamo01.shtml

http://www.fieldofdreamsmoviesite.com/moonlite.html

thx again big six

[Big Six]

Thanks, Level. When I thought about the movie and when Doc Graham would have been born if he was an old man in the early 70s, I figured he'd be just about the right age to cross paths with Pat and the All-Americans on the barnstorming tour. I couldn't resist a little plot twist to give Moonlight one last chance for glory.

I'll put Archie into the free agent pool for the 1921 season and see if any of the computer-managed teams sign him. He's a 2.5 star prospect at age 18, so he might draw a little interest.

[Level]

thats awesome. i was hoping you would put him into the actual season.

[Big Six]

This letter from Colonel O'Farrell was delivered to Pat in Los Angeles by his wife Sarah when she joined him there.

Dear Pat,

I was overjoyed to receive your letter, as I know how busy your schedule must be. My birthday was a joyful occasion, spent with family and friends. I used to wonder what it would be like to grow old, and I must admit that I rather like it. Every word from my mouth is now regarded as the wisdom of the ages, and none of it makes any more sense than it did when I was half my current age.

It sounds like young Mr. Minner will have, at the least, stories to tell his grandchildren one day. They will sit at his knee and listen to him describe the day back in ’20 when he faced the mighty Ty Cobb when the big league stars came to town. In the eyes of the young Minners, their grandpa will be a hero, and any bad memories Mr. Minner might carry with him will fade away. That is one thing age does to a man; it softens the edges of many of the harsh events that seem so terrible when we are young.

I read in the paper that Mr. Cobb has returned to Detroit, or to Georgia, or to wherever else his business leads him. I suppose that Mr. Cobb might very well be one hundred percent truthful about his reasons for his decision. One thing I learned in my experience in the South, during the unpleasant war in which I fought, was that gentlemen from that region often place an importance upon their honor which supersedes all else. The
Confederate officers I met, men who had been taken prisoner and had little left but their honor, brought that fact home to me in an unforgettable fashion. I encountered the same sort of devotion to honor among the sons of the South with whom I served in Congress after the war. I suspect that Mr. Cobb may not be any different.

I trust Sarah’s train trip was blissfully uneventful, and that the two of you are enjoying some wonderful times together in between your games in Los Angeles. I know both she and Emily were anxiously awaiting the chance to see their husbands. I would very much like to watch Emily’s Mr. Wood pitch a game of ball sometime, as I hear he is quite talented. I pitched a few games of ball during the war, you know, although the technique was quite different in my day. I could not throw the thing overhand as the fellows do today.

Enough of my reminiscences; you would probably much rather be spending time with your lovely wife than reading my letter. I will be visiting your children on Saturday, and I am looking forward to that very much. Every time I see them, I am reminded of what a wonderful man you have become—a talented ball player, and most importantly, a fine husband and father. I shall always be glad I have been allowed enough time on earth to discover this fact.

Take care of yourself and return home safely, as always, I remain

Yours affectionately,
Grandpa

[William4192]

Any chance of some these guys breaking the color barrier a little earlier in the regular season?

[Big Six]

Hey William,

I've actually thought a bit about that. It wouldn't be too difficult to add a few Negro League stars to the player pool, although I'd have to be selective. It might add some additional interest to the story in the years after Pat's inevitable retirement occurs.

I'd be interested in hearing what some of the rest of you who follow "The Base Ball Life of Patrick O'Farrell" think about this. Would you like me to integrate baseball a couple decades earlier than the "real" major leagues did, or would you rather I preserve the historical integrity of Pat's universe in this regard? I won't turn this into a formal poll; just reply with your opinions if you'd like to.

Thanks!

[Level]

i dont claim to be an expert even if like many people interested in pat's story i too have a history degree, but it would seem that if baseball was integrated in pat's time the tension and uproar might not have been as bad as it was in the jim crow 1950s and on. i emphasize 'might' there. thats not to say that it would have been better but it 'might' have been a little less crazy if the players were gentlemen like pat and the barnstormers. it would just be too impolite to put up much of a fuss basically. then again that gentleman life and attitude that pat has may not hold up if he or others feel their profession being turned upside down. integrating baseball 20 years early might not cause a black player to receive any better reception than jackie robinson did in those midwestern cities that caused such an uproar in the late 40s and 50s. who knows, but its just a thought.

[Big Six]

So do you think I should go for it and integrate in the 20s, Level?

[John P. Yuda]

I like the idea, as long as it's limited, there shouldn't be a whole slew of players coming over from the Negro Leagues. Perhaps you could chose only those players who were put into the Hall of Fame later, or something?

Or maybe bring a few guys in, then have the storyline follow some kind of "backlash" where they don't sign any new black players for a few years due to whatever reason you want to write in, and then move it back towards a re-breaking of the color line with Jackie Robinson in 1947?

I'd certainly like to see some of the players from the 1920s/30s Negro Leagues test their meddle in the majors, though.

[Big Six]

That's what I was thinking, John. No insult intended to the dozens of other Negro League players who weren't superstars, but who were certainly good enough to play in the major leagues...but I wouldn't have the time to create all of the lesser stars.

Thanks for your opinion, John!

[Big Six]

Hotel Del Coronado
Coronado, California

Misses Elizabeth and Mary Catherine O'Farrell
Master Michael O'Farrell
145 Cherry Street
Stockbridge, Massachusetts

November 22, 1920


Dear Beth, Mike, and Mary Catherine,

Hello! Mom and I wanted to write to you to let you know how very much we miss you. I haven't seen any of you in over a month, and I am sure you have all grown so much since then!

Daddy's base ball team, the All-Americans, has played very well in the West. We have won 17 times, and lost only twice. The games we have played this week have all been very close, though. We are playing a team of men from San Diego, California. Beth, you can find California on a map, can't you?

Uncle Joe (Wood) pitched the first game. We won, 5-2, and Daddy got one hit, stole one base, and scored one run. I found out today that I have scored more runs than any other player on my team. I don't usually think it is a good idea to talk about yourself, but I thought that it would not be bad to share this with you, like you do, Beth, when you bring home a spelling test with a high score.

Walter Johnson pitched for us the next day, and we won this game, 4-2. I didn't get any hits in this time, because their pitcher, whose name is Berryhill, was very tough. I saw Roy Hitt talking to him after the game, and Mr. Hitt gave Mr. Berryhill his address, so if he would like to come to Cincinnati and try out for the Reds, he can.

The next day, we played another exciting game. Pol Perritt and Roy Hitt were our pitchers, and we won 6-3. Daddy did not get a hit, but the other team's pitcher walked me twice, and I stole another base and scored a run.

After the games are over each day, Mommy and I do something fun together. We have eaten dinner at the hotel restaurant, which is very nice, and the food is delicious. I thought about you, Mike, when I ordered a hamburger steak, because I know it is your favorite. Our hotel is right on the beach, and Mommy and I have also enjoyed going for walks on the beach every evening. The weather has been cool, but it is probably much warmer than it is in Massachusetts. I am sure you have had snow by now, haven't you?

Well, I am going to close this letter now. Please remember to mind Grandpa and Grandma very well while they are taking care of you. And most of all, remember how much we love you. Mommy will be home in a week, and Daddy will be going to Texas to play more base ball games. Then, after that, I'll be home too, and we'll all be together.

Love,
Daddy

[Carlton]

Guys I would choose to break the color line

1st guy should be

Pop Foster, the man who created the Negro Leagues...he would have the attitude to make it possible. He would be a 40 yr old pitcher

Next year

Pop Lloyd
Oscar Charleston
Satchel Paige

The HOFer negroes class

Then
Martin Dihigo
Smokey Joe Williams
Bill Foster

Here is a list I use...so it won't be overcrowded.
I think BBref has it right...and these Negro League Stars are the ones who would make it in the Majors

http://www.baseball-reference.com/nonmlbpa/

[Level]

integrating early on would be pretty neat but i am unsure of how 'real' that is. its not all that big of a concern seeing as how i will read every word and love every bit either way but this is the early 1920s we are talking about not the late 1940s and the whole thing with black men coming home from the war. just hard to say what it would have been like. i suppose i need to brush up on my social history from that era to give any kind of an educated opinion. it would be pretty fun to see satchel win some cy youngs though.

[Big Six]

That's just about the number of players I was thinking, Carlton. Rube Foster would be the perfect pioneer. A couple of the other guys, like Lloyd and Williams would be nearing the end of their careers, but would still have a few years left.

The younger men would be added to the pool when they turned 18, and their careers would play out the way any other youngster's would.

Thanks for your opinion, Carlton!