Rip Cannell

Wirt Virgin Cannell

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10½", Weight 180 lb.
• School Tufts University
• Debut April 14, 1904
• Final Game October 7, 1905
• Born January 23, 1880 in South Bridgton, ME USA
• Died August 26, 1948 in Bridgton, ME USA

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Biographical Information

"Another player secured was Wirt Cannell, formerly of Tufts University team and one of the most promising players in the country. He was secured by the efforts of Fred Tenney, who was able to size him up well from the fact that the player had come under his observation when the Boston captain was coaching at Tufts. Cannell is very speedy, is a left-handed batsman, fields well, and can throw splendidly. Hugh Duffy was also desirous of securing this player, and though he made him a better offer than did Tenney, was unable to secure him." - Sporting Life, Feb. 27, 1904

"Jack Carney . . . says he has landed a star player in Win Cannell, a brother of the player secured by the Boston Nationals for the outfield. Cannell is a left-handed batsman and led his team at Tufts while he was at that college. He is very fast. He has been teaching at Goddard Academy, at Barre, Vt., during the winter." - Sporting Life, March 26, 1904, about Win Cannell, sounding like a clone of his brother, and in fact a genealogy site shows Winburn S. Cannell as Wirt's twin. Win did not seem to make Jack Carney's Nashua team in 1904.

" 'Rip' Cannell is certainly doing great work with the stick this year, and is also playing a championship game in the outfield." - Sporting Life, May 28, 1910, separately showing Cannell leading the Tri-State League in batting

" 'Rip' Cannell continues to lead the Allentown team in batting, and will give the sluggers in the League a hard battle for hitting honors." - Sporting Life, August 9, 1913

Rip Cannell came out of Tufts in 1903 and, in 1904 and 1905, was a regular outfielder for the Boston National League team. In 254 games, he batted .242. He was four years younger than teammate Vic Willis. His minor league career lasted through 1914, mostly in the Tri-State League. Although there have been a number of major leaguers named Virgil, Rip is the only one whose real (middle) name is Virgin.