Curry Foley

Charles Joseph Foley

• Bats Unknown, Throws Left
• Height 5' 10", Weight 160 lb.

• Debut May 13, 1879
• Final Game September 5, 1883
• Born January 14, 1856 in Milltown, Ireland
• Died October 20, 1898 in Boston, MA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Curry Foley, who played five years in the National League, was a below-average pitcher but an above-average hitter. He is remembered as the first player in the majors to hit for the cycle. He is also remembered as one of very few left-handed pitchers in the early days of the National League.

He pitched in 69 games with a record of 27-27, but his ERA in 1880-1882 was not very good.

As a fielder, he was in 214 games in the outfield and 54 at first base; he hit over .300 twice.

From 1875-1878 (and perhaps earlier) he played for the Lowell Amateurs, which, despite their name, were a professional team. In 1879, he played for the first U.S. professional team that visited Cuba.

He and Tommy Bond are the two major league players born in Ireland in 1856.

The book A History of the Boston Base Ball Club, 1897, says that Foley came to the U.S. in 1863. He first played ball with the Stars of Boston, and joined Lowell in 1875, staying several years with the successful club. He went to Cuba in 1879 and 1880, playing with the Hop Bitters. After baseball he was a newspaper correspondent but suffered illness and was eventually sent to an asylum.

One source: Lefties

Notable Achievements

• NL At Bats Leader (1881)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1880)

Related Sites

• Curry Foley at the SABR Bio Project