Tom McAvoy

Thomas John McAvoy (August 12, 1936 – March 19, 2011) was an American professional baseball pitcher. He appeared in one game in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators in 1959. Listed at 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) tall and 200 pounds (91 kg), he batted and threw left-handed. He was born in Brooklyn, New York.[1]

Tom McAvoy
Pitcher
Born: (1936-08-12)August 12, 1936
Brooklyn, New York
Died: March 19, 2011(2011-03-19) (aged 74)
Stillwater, New York
Batted: Left Threw: Left
MLB debut
September 27, 1959, for the Washington Senators
Last MLB appearance
September 27, 1959, for the Washington Senators
MLB statistics
Win–loss record0–0
Earned run average0.00
Innings pitched2⅔
Teams
  • Washington Senators (1959)

Tom McAvoy was signed by the Senators in 1956 and played four seasons in the minor leagues before joining the big team on the final day of the 1959 season.

McAvoy was a player whose baseball career can be loosely described as a cup of coffee. He debuted against the Boston Red Sox on September 27, 1959, at Fenway Park as a replacement for starter Jim Kaat in the second inning, scattering one hit and two walks without strikeouts over 2⅔ shutout innings and did not have a decision. In that game, McAvoy retired Ted Williams on a grounder to second base.[2]

McAvoy never appeared in a major league game again. His career was cut short when he broke his arm during a winter ball game in Nicaragua in 1959. The following year, he broke his arm again while warming up in the bullpen. After a long rehabilitation he was released by the Minnesota Twins in 1961 (the Senators had moved to Minnesota that year).

In seven minor league seasons, McAvoy posted a 38–72 record and a 4.74 ERA in 176 pitching appearances.[3]

In the early 1960s, McAvoy moved on to fastpitch softball and was eventually inducted into the International Softball Congress Hall of Fame, class of 2009, as a manager.[4]

McAvoy died in Stillwater, New York, at the age of 74, following complications from pancreatic cancer.[5]

References
  1. Baseball Reference – major league profile
  2. Retrosheet – Boston Red Sox 6, Washington Senators 2. Game Played on Sunday, September 27, 1959 (D) at Fenway Park
  3. Baseball Reference minor league career
  4. International Softball Congress Hall of Fame – Tom McAvoy biography
  5. Times Union – Obituary
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