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Detroit Tigers: All Saint Patrick’s Day team

By Andy Patton

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 30: Shane Greene #61 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Colorado Rockies in the ninth inning of a game at Coors Field on August 30, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 30: Shane Greene #61 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Colorado Rockies in the ninth inning of a game at Coors Field on August 30, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT- SEPTEMBER 27: A general view of Tiger Stadium prior to the final baseball game played at the 87 year old Tiger Stadium as the Detroit Tigets host the Kansas City Royals on September 27, 1999 in Detroit, Michigan. There was 6,873 games played at the corner of Michigan and Trumbul streets. The Tigers won the game 8-2. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Gettyimages)
DETROIT- SEPTEMBER 27: A general view of Tiger Stadium prior to the final baseball game played at the 87 year old Tiger Stadium as the Detroit Tigets host the Kansas City Royals on September 27, 1999 in Detroit, Michigan. There was 6,873 games played at the corner of Michigan and Trumbul streets. The Tigers won the game 8-2. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Gettyimages) /

The Natives

There have been 44 players born in Ireland who have reached the major leagues. Three of them were some of the most talented players in baseball around the turn of the century. Tommy Bond and Tony Mullane were two elite starting pitchers back in the day. Mullane won 284 career games, Bond won 234. On the other side of the ball was Patsy Donovan, who hit .301 with 2,256 hits in his big league career. The right fielder also had 518 stolen bases, including a league leading 45 in 1900.

The Tigers have had two players in franchise history who were born in Ireland. As with many Irishmen who played in the big leagues, they both played in the early 1900’s.

Jimmy Archer

Born in Dublin, Jimmy Archer made his big league debut in 1904 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He resurfaced three years later with the Tigers in 1907, going 5-for-42 with four walks and six runs scored. Archer went on to play nine seasons with the Chicago Cubs, finishing in the top-25 in MVP voting three times. The catcher hit .249 with 660 hits and a 5.5 bWAR for his career.

John O’Connell

John O’Connell made his big league debut as a 19-year-old with the Baltimore Orioles in 1891. He didn’t return the the majors until 1902, as a grizzled 30-year-old. In each situation O’Connell played in just eight games, totaling 51 career at-bats and a .176 batting average. The Irish native spent the majority of his career barnstorming through minor leagues in the Midwest area, although stats are understandably hard to come by.

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