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John Anthony Boyle
Catcher/First base
Batted: Right	Threw: Right
MLB debut
October 8, 1886 for the Cincinnati Red Stockings
Final game
August 16, 1898 for the Philadelphia Phillies
Career statistics
Batting Average	.253
Home Runs	23
Runs Batted In	569
Teams
Cincinnati Red Stockings (1886) St. Louis Browns (1887-1889, 1891) Chicago Pirates (1890) New York Giants (1892) Philadelphia Phillies (1893-1898)
Career highlights and awards

John Anthony Boyle (March 22, 1866 - January 7, 1913), nicknamed "Honest Jack", was an American catcher and first baseman in Major League Baseball.

Contents 1 Early years 2 Baseball career 3 Final years 4 References 5 External link

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio,^[1] Boyle began his professional baseball career in 1886, playing in one game for the Cincinnati Red Stockings of the American Association. A pitcher by the name of Bob Mitchell is credited with his discovery.^{[citation needed]}

On November 12, 1886, he was traded (along with $350) to the St. Louis Browns in exchange for Hugh Nicol.^[2]

Jack caught only a couple of games until July 3.^{[citation needed]} Then an injury to the regular catcher, Al Bushong, gave him his opportunity.^{[citation needed]} He caught 87 straight games^[3] for the Browns using the old finger glove which preceded the protective mitt of the modern era.^{[citation needed]}

Boyle accompanied Charles Comiskey to the Chicago Pirates of the Players League team in 1890, but returned with him to St. Louis the following year.^[3] In 1892 Jack signed with the New York Giants for a sum of $5,500.^{[citation needed]} This was the largest salary ever paid to a major leaguer at this time.^{[citation needed]}

After one season with New York, he was traded (with Jack Sharrott and cash) on March 11, 1893, to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Roger Connor.^[2] There followed five years as a star catcher for the Philadelphia club. On July 9, 1898, he was sold by Philadelphia to the Giants for $1000.^[2] However, he did not play a single game for them and was returned to Philadelphia on August 15, 1898.^[2]

Over the years Jack Boyle caught a number of famous pitchers including Silver King, Jack Stivetts, Bob Caruthers, and Dave Foutz.^{[citation needed]}

He opened a saloon^[3] in the Ohio River city on Seventh Street^{[citation needed]} which grew into a successful business for him.^{[citation needed]}

Boyle was 46 years of age when he died of Bright's Disease^{[citation needed]} at his home^[3] on Academy Avenue, Price Hill^{[citation needed]} in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was interred at the St. Joseph New Cemetery in Cincinnati.^[1]

Jack's brother, Eddie Boyle, played in 5 professional baseball games in 1896.^[4]

1. ^ ^{a b} Jack Boyle Stats. Baseball-Almanac.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-24.
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Jack Boyle. Retrosheet.org. Retrieved on 2006-11-24.
3. ^ ^{a b c d} The Obit for Jack Boyle. TheDeadBallEra.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-24.
4. ^ Eddie Boyle. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-24.

• Baseball-Reference.com - career statistics and analysis
• BaseballLibrary.com