OxHS and WPL Present: Tip O’Neill Book Launch – April 5, 2025!

Hello Everyone,

The Oxford Historical Society and the Woodstock Public Library invite you to attend the book launch of:

“Tip O’Neill and the St. Louis Browns of 1887” with Author Dennis Thiessen
on Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 1:00 – 2:30pm at the Woodstock Public Library

From Dennis Thiessen:

James “Tip” O’Neill was a Canadian-born baseball player who, in the 1880s, was the leading slugger for the St. Louis Browns, the champions of the American Association for four years in a row (1885–88) and the world champions in 1886. In 1887, Tip O’Neill won the Association batting championship with a .492 average—the highest ever for a single season in the Major Leagues. 

O’Neill was part of the first class inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983.   In honour of Tip’s extraordinary career, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame presents the James “Tip” O’Neill Award “annually to the Canadian player judged to have excelled in individual achievement and team contribution while adhering to baseball ideals.” O’Neill was also inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1994.

The book concentrates on Tip O’Neill’s record-breaking season of 1887. It recounts his numerous multi-hit games, streaks and long hits, as well as his two cycles and triple crown. In addition, the book situates O’Neill’s story within the wider portrayal of the St. Louis Browns, a team led by their manager, Charles Comiskey, who would do “anything to win.” It also provides a biographical snapshot of O’Neill’s life and career in his early days in Woodstock, Ontario (1867–1882) and during his years in Montreal after he retired from major league baseball (1893–1915). In short, the book is a saga of a Canadian baseball star whose legacy is much deserved but not yet fully appreciated.

Registration is required – to register contact the Woodstock Public Library


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