Arthur Irwin
Arthur Albert Irwin
(Doc or Sandy)
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 5,' 8½", Weight 158 lb.
- Debut May 1, 1880
- Final Game June 22, 1894
- Born February 14, 1858 in Toronto, ON CAN
- Died July 16, 1921 in Atlantic Ocean
Biographical Information[edit]
Although he was born in Toronto, Ontario, Arthur Irwin grew up in south Boston, MA and learned to play baseball in that city. He was the brother of John Irwin. He began his professional career in New England and enjoyed success as both a player and a manager. Following his retirement from the major leagues he owned the Toronto franchise while that city played in the Eastern League. He suffered from depression late in life and disappeared from a boat while traveling between New York and Boston. His death was ruled a probable suicide.
In the New York Times of July 21, 1921, his death and last days were explored. It appeared he had two wives and families, one in New York and one in Boston. He had recently been told that he would die unless he underwent serious surgery.
Irwin played 13 seasons in the big leagues, primarily as a shortstop. He managed for eight seasons in the majors, winning the 1891 American Association pennant in the last year that that league operated as a major league. He umpired three National League games in 1881, then came back as a full-time umpire in the same league in 1902.
He was also a scout who nearly curtailed Lou Gehrig's baseball career before it began, luring him to play for his own Hartford Senators in June 1921, the summer before the future Iron Horse was to enroll at Columbia University under an athletic scholarship. Gehrig played under an assumed name, but when someone in the Columbia athletic department got wind that he was playing professionally, it nearly cost him his eligibility to play college sports. As it was, Gehrig was redshirted for a season, before a Yankee scout discovered him his sophomore year.[1]
| Preceded by Harry Wright |
Philadelphia Phillies Manager 1894-1895 |
Succeeded by Billy Nash |
| Preceded by Harvey Watkins |
New York Giants Manager 1896 |
Succeeded by Bill Joyce |
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