by John J. Fitzgerald
“Dirty” Jack Doyle: An Irish Baseball Legend
At the time of his passing on New Year’s Eve in 1958, Jack Doyle was remembered as a baseball “lifer.” He had spent most of his 89 years working in the game, first as a player, then as a coach, briefly as an umpire, followed by a successful 38-year run as a scout for the Chicago Cubs that saw him discover and sign several Hall of Famers.
But like many of his contemporaries who came from the “Emerald Age of Baseball,” Jack Doyle’s baseball story was much more colorful than that!
Early Days: From County Kerry, Ireland to Holyoke, MA
John Joseph “Jack” Doyle was born on October 25, 1869 in the small town of Killorglin, which sits 13 miles west of Killarney, in County Kerry. Today, Killorglin’s population sits just north of 2,000 people but the town’s connection to the Irish sports culture runs deep: the local GAA club, the Laune Rangers, was formed in 1888 and several prominent Irish footballers call Killorglin home. The town is also host to a golf course and a vibrant outdoor sports scene that includes kayaking, rock climbing, and sailing.
But it’s not likely that John Doyle had many memories of Killorglin when he came to America as a child. The Doyle family settled in Holyoke, Massachusetts, where John attended St. Jerome Parochial School and soon began showing interest in the game of baseball.
Soon, John Doyle’s skill on the baseball diamond was attracting the interest of college and pro scouts from around the Northeast.
The Legend of “Dirty” Jack Doyle
After a brief stint at Fordham University in New York, Doyle signed his first professional contract with the Columbus Solons of the American Association at the age of 19. The youngest player on the team, Doyle hit .278 in just 11 games, but it was a start. He would remain employed in professional baseball for 68 of the next 70 years.
Doyle made his major league debut in 1891 with the Cleveland Spiders of the National League. By 1892, he was the starting first baseman for the New York Giants. His reputation as a tough-as-nails ballplayer was already well-known and he had the nickname to back it up: John Joseph Doyle from Killorglin was now known as “Dirty Jack” Doyle:
“Because of his aggressive playing style, Doyle was known as “Dirty Jack,” often feuding with umpires, fans, opposing players, and even, at times, his own teammates. On one occasion, in Cincinnati on July 4, 1900, while in the 3rd inning of the second game of a doubleheader, Doyle slugged umpire Bob Emslie after being called out on a steal attempt. Fans jumped from the stands as the two got into it, and players finally separated the two fighters. Two policeman chased the fans back into the stands and then arrested and fined Doyle.” Source: Killorglin Archives
“Dirty Jack” was always looking for an edge. Although primarily a first baseman, Doyle also spent time behind the plate where he was once reprimanded by the National League for dropping pebbles into the shoes of opposing batters, in an effort cause discomfort when the batter reached base.Although Doyle’s methods bent — and often broke — the rules, they weren’t borne of madness. On the contrary, Jack Doyle had one goal in mind: winning. And baserunning was central to Doyle’s strategy:
“I was a hard base-runner. You had to be those days. It wasn’t a matter of being rough or dirty. With the dead ball, games were won by very small margins. As a result, a stolen base meant more than it does today. It often meant the difference between victory and defeat. And my base-running was for just one purpose: to win.” Source: The Sporting News via SABR.org
Despite his ominous nickname, his rowdy reputation, and his run-ins with the law and the National League, Jack Doyle was a good ballplayer. His best year was 1894, when he batted .368 with 44 stolen bases and 103 RBI.
Life After Baseball? How About Baseball After Baseball?
Jack Doyle played his last major league game for the Yankees on July 13, 1905. Over the course of his career, Doyle batted .299 with 971 RBI and 518 stolen bases while logging time at every position except pitcher.
In 1906, Doyle helmed the aptly named Des Moines Champs of the Western League as a player-manager. The Champs won the league with a 97-50 record.
Doyle then took two years off from baseball to serve as police commissioner in his hometown of Holyoke, MA. He returned to baseball in 1909 as an umpire, perhaps inspired by his time as an authority figure in blue.
In 1920, Doyle was hired as a scout by the Chicago Cubs. His time as Chicago’s head scout was highlighted by the signings of Hall of Famers Gabby Hartnett and Hack Wilson.
Over a 70-year career in pro baseball, John Joseph Doyle was a player, coach, manager, umpire, and scout. His scouting abilities were legendary — he signed multiple Hall of Famers including Hack Wilson. His work was largely credited for the Cubs’ pennant winning seasons of 1929, 1932, 1935, 1938, and 1945.
Doyle was the last surviving member of the legendary Orioles teams of the 1890s that featured other prominent Irish Americans including manager Ned Hanlon and teammates Joe Kelley, Matt Kilroy, Dan Brouthers, Hughie Jennings, Wee Willie Keeler, and John McGraw, who also happened to be Doyle’s lifelong nemesis.
On September 29, 1957, Doyle was honored at the final game at the Polo Grounds as the oldest living member of New York Giants. He died on December 31, 1958.
