Jack Boyle

John Anthony Boyle (March 22, 1866 – January 7, 1913), nicknamed "Honest Jack", was an American catcher and first baseman in Major League Baseball. His younger brother, Eddie Boyle, played in 1896.

Baseball career Born in Cincinnati, Boyle began his professional baseball career in 1886, playing in one game for the Cincinnati Red Stockings of the American Association. On November 12, 1886, he was traded, along with $350, to the St. Louis Browns in exchange for Hugh Nicol.

In 1887, Boyle caught only a couple of games until July 3. Although some sources credit Boyle with having caught 87 straight games, the correct statistic is 43 straight games--after that he played right field, ending his then-record streak.

Boyle accompanied Charles Comiskey to the Chicago Pirates of the Players' League team in 1890 and returned with him to St. Louis the following year.

Popular with fans and teammates, Boyle captained the Phillies in the mid-1890s. He also served as an umpire in the National League (4 games) and American Association (1 game) between 1888 and 1897.

The origins of Boyle's nickname are uncertain. It has been proposed that "Honest Jack" refers to his candour with his teammates and the press, or that it was originally bestowed by his teammates to distinguish him from his fellow catcher "Dirty" Jack Doyle when they both played for the Giants.

Later life Boyle opened a saloon in the Ohio River city on Seventh Street.

In 1913, Boyle died at his home in Cincinnati at the age of 46. He was interred at the St. Joseph New Cemetery in Cincinnati.