Jim O’Rourke

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Jim O'Rourke

Inducted:
1945

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Personal Details

Born:
September 1, 1850
Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.

Died:
January 8, 1919
Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.

Position: 
Left fielder

College:
NA

Jim O'Rourke, nicknamed "Orator Jim" for his eloquence, was a standout player in 19th-century baseball. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1850, he began his professional career in 1872 and became the first player to record a hit in National League history in 1876.

A versatile athlete, O'Rourke played all nine positions during his career, primarily serving as a left fielder. He was known for his consistent batting, achieving a .300 average or better in 13 seasons and finishing with a .310 career batting average.

Remarkably, he played his final major league game at age 54, making him the oldest player to appear in a National League game. Beyond his playing days, he earned a law degree from Yale and was instrumental in developing minor league baseball in Connecticut.

O'Rourke was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1945.

O'Rourke's Awards and Records

  • National League Batting Champion (1884)
  • Led NL in On-Base Percentage (1877)
  • Led NL in Hits (1884)
  • Led NL in Games Played (1876, 1877)
  • First Hit in National League History (April 22, 1876)
  • Oldest Player to Appear in a National League Game (Age 54 in 1904)
  • Played in Four Different Decades (1870s–1900s)
  • Pro Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee (1945)
  • Yale Law School Graduate (1887)
  • Founder of the Connecticut State League
  • Signed First African American Player in Bridgeport (1895)
  • Statue Honoring O'Rourke in Bridgeport, Connecticut

MLB Teams:

Middletown Mansfields (1872)
Boston Red Stockings / Red Caps (1873–1878)
Providence Grays (1879)
Boston Red Caps (1880)
Buffalo Bisons (1881–1884)
New York Giants (1885–1892, 1904)
Washington Senators (1893)


MLB Stats

Seasons Played:
23
Games Played:
1,999
At Bats:
8,503
Hits:
2,639
Batting Average:
.310
Home Runs:
62
Runs Batted In (RBI):
1,208
Runs Scored:
1,729
Doubles:
468
Triples:
149
Stolen Bases:
229
On-Base Percentage:
.352
Slugging Percentage:
.422
OPS (On-base Plus Slugging):
.775
Walks:
513