2. Patrick Joseph Donovan
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Better known as Patsy Donovan, would probably have to be the most prolifically documented Irish-born player to ever play Major League Baseball.
Born in Queenstown, Ireland on March 16, 1865, Donovan debuted in 1890 with the Boston Beaneaters. Playing for several teams until his retirement in 1907 — most notably the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals — Donovan compiled a lifetime batting average of .301 with a .348 OBP, 2256 career hits in 8172 plate appearances and 518 steals.
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Despite being one of the premier hitters of his time and 160th overall on the career hits list, Donovan is not enshrined in Cooperstown.
Donovan’s greater impact on the game came more subtly after his playing career came to an end. Becoming a scout for the Boston Red Sox in 1909, through an acquaintance he was instrumental in bringing Baltimore born George Herman Ruth to the Red Sox in 1914. Later on, he finished his baseball career coaching high school baseball for the Phillips Academy in Andover. While there, he coached the 41st President of the United States, George H.W. Bush in baseball, before Bush eventually went on to captain Yale’s baseball team and play in the College World Series.
The Irish Baseball League has an award known as the Patsy Donovan award that is presented annually to league’s hitting champion at the conclusion of every season.