Rooney Sweeney

From BR Bullpen

Rooney Sweeney.jpg

John J. Sweeney

  • Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown
  • Height 5' 8", Weight 155 lb.

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Biographical Information[edit]

Rooney Sweeney played three years in the major leagues, managing to play in three different leagues in three years. Sporting Life several times referred to him as "famous" or "well-known".

He was already 24 when he joined the 1883 Baltimore Orioles of the American Association. He was the backup catcher, hitting .208.

He stayed in Baltimore but changed leagues in 1884, playing for the Baltimore Monumentals of the Union Association. He was again the backup catcher, hitting .226.

In 1885, he moved over to the National League, showing up for just 3 games with the St. Louis Maroons.

In 1889, he played for an independent club called the Metropolitans.

In 1890 he was in a Canadian jail. He stated that there was a poker game, a cat upset the chips, and Sweeney grabbed his share "and it got me into jail, that's all".

In 1892 he tried managing prizefighters.

Sporting Life reported on September 25, 1897 that Sweeney was on his deathbed. He was assisting the boatmen at Battery Park in New York City when he reportedly had an epileptic fit, fell, and hit his head. In spite of that, in 1899 he was reported to be working as a fireman on a tug boat.

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