Tom Connolly
| Birthdate | 12/31/1870 |
| Death Date | 4/28/1961 |
| Debut Year | 1898 |
| Year of Induction | 1953 |
| Teams | American League, MLB, National League |
| Position | Umpire |
Tom Connolly umped the first game in American League history, the first World Series, & the first contests at both Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park.
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Mild-mannered Tom Connolly once went a decade without issuing an ejection
Mild-mannered Tom Connolly once went a decade without issuing an ejection
One of only ten umpires inducted into the Hall of Fame, Tom Connolly joined Bill Klem as the first two so honored in 1953. Both arbiters were also selected for the Hall’s Honor Rolls of Baseball seven years earlier.
Cooperstown waited 20 years until the next arbiter earned his plaque when Billy Evans went to the Hall in 1973.
Connolly had a storied career on the field from 1898-1931. Mild-mannered, he once went 10 seasons without an ejection.
Born in England, Connolly had the honor of umpiring the first game in American League history and the first World Series in 1903. The arbiter was behind the plate for four no-hit games, including Addie Joss’s 1908 perfect game. Connolly worked the first game played at Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium, Comiskey Park, and Shibe Park.
Shown here is a 3×5 cards neatly signed, “With all good wishes Thomas H. Connolly”.
Connolly and Bill Klem were the first umpires inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1953
Connolly and Bill Klem were the first umpires inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1953
Tommy Connolly earned baseball’s highest honor when he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953. That year he and Bill Klem became the first umpires honored with a plaque in Cooperstown.
A National League umpire from 1905-1941, Klem worked a big league record 18 World Series. Contrasted with mild-mannered Connolly who once went a decade between ejections, Klem tossed a record 251 men.
Shown here is a Klem autograph affixed to a picture with fellow arbiters Cy Rigler, Silk O’Laughlin, and Billy Evans. Klem was selected for the Hall’s Honor Rolls of Baseball in 1946, along with Evans and Connolly. Riger has a strong Cooperstown candidacy while Evans is already in the Hall.
Hall of Fame outfielder Harry Hooper picks Tom Connolly as the greatest umpire
Hall of Fame outfielder Harry Hooper picks Tom Connolly as the greatest umpire
By virtue of his status as a member of the Hall of Fame, Harry Hooper received a great deal of fan mail. Shown here is Hooper’s response to a request to identify his all-time team among other questions. At the bottom of the right side Hooper writes that Hall of Famer Tom Connolly is his pick as the all-time umpire. That’s high praise from one Cooperstown man to another.
A big leaguer from 1909-1925, Hooper teamed with Duffy Lewis and Tris Speaker to form the “Golden Outfield” of the Boston Red Sox. Playing together from 1910-1915, the trio is considered among the greatest defensive outfields ever.
Take a look at the flycatcher’s choices for outfield play. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Hooper declares that outfield mates Lewis and Speaker make the cut in left and center fields. What does Hooper write for his choice for right field? Unable to pencil in his own name, Hooper jots down, “Right – modesty will not permit”.
For more of Hooper’s opinions on baseball, click here.
