Lefty O'Doul

 

Francis Joseph O'Doul, "Lefty"
Seals, Yankees, Red Sox, Giants,
Phillies & Dodgers, 1918-34

"Lefty" O’Doul and San Francisco are synonymous. He was born here, raised here, and after 73 years, he died here. O’Doul won two major league batting championships, managed four Pacific Coast League pennant winners, and had 254 base hits with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1929 (a record as yet unmatched) by any National League list. As manager of the San Francisco Seals, O’Doul was recognized as one of the finer strategists and talent developers, sending players such as Joe and Dominic DiMaggio and Larry Jansen to the majors. Called Japan’s "Father of Baseball," he brought the game to that country via barnstorming tours in the 1920s. Enshrined in Bay Area Sport Hall of Fame in 1981.