Michael T. McGreevy
Michael T. "Nuf Ced" McGreevy (June 16, 1865 – February 2, 1943) was the leader of the most vocal fans of the Boston Americans (now the Boston Red Sox), known as the "Royal Rooters", and owner of a Boston bar called the Third Base Saloon.
Michael T. McGreevy | |
|---|---|
 McGreevy in 1903 | |
| Born | June 16, 1865 |
| Died | February 2, 1943 (aged 77) Roxbury, Massachusetts |
| Resting place | Mount Calvary Cemetery in Roslindale, Massachusetts |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Leader of the Royal Rooters Owner of the Third Base Saloon |
Biography
McGreevy's bar got its name because, like third base, it was the last stop before home. His saloon was Boston's original sports bar—it was decorated in a baseball theme, with pictures of the players, and a scoreboard on the outside wall. His nickname, "Nuf Ced", was given to him because that was what he usually shouted to end barroom disputes, usually about the Boston Americans and the Boston Braves. He was an avid member of the L Street Brownies, one of the oldest polar bear swim clubs in the country.[1]
McGreevy amassed a rich collection of photographs, clippings, and other baseball memorabilia. When Prohibition forced McGreevy to close Third Base, he donated his collection to the Boston Public Library. Author Glenn Stout (A Red Sox Century) helped popularize the collection when he worked at the library.
The theme song of the Royal Rooters was "Tessie" from the Broadway musical "The Silver Slipper". McGreevy was mentioned in a 2004 remake of the song by the Irish American punk band Dropkick Murphys—Tessie, Nuff Ced McGreevy shouted, We're not here to mess around.[2] The song was subsequently part of the soundtrack of the 2005 movie Fever Pitch concerning fans of the 2004 Boston Red Sox season.
In 2008, Dropkick Murphys bassist Ken Casey re-opened Third Base, although it is no longer known as such. Now the tavern is known as McGreevy's, and can be converted to open-air. There is also a sign on the front of the bar that says "1200 Steps to Fenway Park." It is on Boylston Street across from the Hynes Convention Center located in the Back Bay of Boston.
References
- Nash, Peter. "Nuf Ced McGreevy". Society for American Baseball Research.
- "Tessie". lyrics.com. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
Further reading
- Nash, Peter. "Nuf Ced McGreevy". SABR. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
- "McGreevy Hot Baseball Pecan". The Boston Globe. February 5, 1943. p. 14. Retrieved November 3, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
- Baseball Guru: Nuf Ced & The Royal Rooters & Good Old Tessie
