John O'Neil

Who was John O'Neil?

John Francis O'Neil was a shortstop in Major League Baseball who played briefly during the 1946 season. Listed at 5 ft 9 in, 155 lb, he batted and threw right-handed..

Born in Shelbiana, Kentucky, John O'Neil was involved in professional baseball for more than 45 years spanning 1939-1986 as player, manager, player/manager, general manager and scout, while participating in over 1,800 minor league games.

O'Neil appeared in 32 games for the 1946 Philadelphia Phillies as a replacement for everyday shortstop Skeeter Newsome, being also used in pinch-hitting and pinch-running situations in 14 games.

In a 46-game career, O'Neil posted a batting average of .266 with three doubles, driving in nine runs while scoring 12 times without any stolen base.

From 1964 through 1984 he scouted for several major league teams, including the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves teams and Los Angeles Dodgers. Two of the players he scouted and signed were catcher Mike Scioscia and outfielder Bill Robinson.