Jim O'Toole

James Jerome O'Toole (January 10, 1937 – December 26, 2015) was an American professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox during his 10-year career.

Early life O'Toole was born on January 10, 1937, on Chicago's South Side. His father was a Chicago policeman, who taught O'Toole how to box at a young age, and O'Toole eventually became a Golden Gloves boxer. He attended Chicago's Leo High School, which did not have a baseball team, and he played sandlot baseball as a teen. One of five children, his younger brother Denny O'Toole had a short major league baseball career.

College and minor league

After graduating from Leo High School in 1955, O'Toole attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison on a baseball scholarship. He was a starting pitcher in the Southern League All-Star Game.

Cincinnati Reds O'Toole was called up to the Reds at the end of September, 1958, and made his pitching debut on September 26, 1958. He was the starting pitcher against the Milwaukee Braves, in a 2–1 loss. (Less than one week later, the Braves were in the World Series against the New York Yankees. ) He pitched seven innings, giving up only one earned run on four hits, against a lineup that included future Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews, and Red Schoendienst.

In 1959, he became a full-time player for the Reds after only one season of minor league baseball. He pitched in 28 games with 19 starts. O'Toole had 5–8 record with a 5.15 ERA his rookie year. He improved in 1960, with a 12–12 record in 38 starts, and 3.80 ERA. In 1962, he was 10th in wins, and 9th in wins in 1963. In 1964, he was 3rd in win-loss percentage (behind only future Hall of Fame pitchers Sandy Koufax and Juan Marichal ), 6th in ERA, and 10th in WHIP and WAR for pitchers.

The Reds won the National League pennant in 1961, and met the Yankees in the 1961 World Series (losing 4–1). O'Toole was the opening day starter in the 1961 season. He was named Player of the Month for September with a 5–0 record, 2.53 ERA, and 37 strikeouts. He finished 10th in Most Valuable Player (MVP) voting. He pitched seven innings in the first game, giving up only two runs, but Ford pitched a two-hit shutout. In Game 4, O'Toole pitched five innings, giving up two runs, but again the Reds were shut out.

In 1963, he was the starting pitcher for the National League in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game (his only appearance at the Summer Classic), pitching 2 innings and allowing 1 earned run, but was not involved in the decision. O'Toole later said that being selected as the starting pitcher by San Francisco Giants manager Alvin Dark was one of the proudest moments of his career.

Chicago White Sox O'Toole played in Cincinnati until his final season, 1967, spent with his hometown team, the Chicago White Sox, but was ineffective due to arm troubles. O'Toole tried to return with a 1969 expansion team, the Seattle Pilots, but was cut in spring training before the season began.

Personal life O'Toole married Betty Jane Wall, his high school sweetheart, on July 2, 1960. They had 11 children.

After his baseball career ended, O'Toole had a successful second career in Cincinnati real estate sales and remained active in the community, supporting charities and participating in local events including the 2015 St. Patrick's Day parade where he served as the grand marshal.