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O'Rourke, Jim

Jim O'Rourke
Born: September 1, 1850, Bridgeport, Connecticut
Died: January 8, 1919, Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bats: 
Right
Throws: 
Right
Elected to the Hall of Fame by Veterans Committee: 1945
Biography: 

The owner of the National League's very first hit, Jim O'Rourke played baseball until he was past the age of 50, after which he continued in the game as a manager, umpire and Minor League president. Nicknamed Orator Jim because of his tendency toward lengthy rhetoric, O'Rourke began his pro career in 1872 and played on six pennant-winning clubs in seven years, from 1873-79. O'Rourke captured the National League batting title in 1884 by hitting .350, and in 1888 and '89 helped New York to its first two league championships.

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Did You Know: 
that when Jim O'Rourke took the field as catcher for the New York Giants on Sept. 22, 1904, he set a still-unbroken record for oldest player ever to play in the National League?