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Saturday, March 30, 2013

Jersey Born


A look at Garden State-born Major League Baseball Players. Some you will know and some are unknown to us all, but represented Jersey in the show.

The O'Brien Twins (South Amboy, NJ)

Eddie O'Brien - Pirates 1953-1958
Johnny O'Brien - Pirates/Braves/Cardinals 1953-1959


Career Highlights: Brothers became the first twins in major league history to play for the same team in the same game. They were bonus babies, which meant they went straight to the major league roster of the Pittsburgh Pirates, bypassing the minors after attending Seattle University.

The O'Briens were regulars in the 1953 season, Johnny served in the military in 1954 and Eddie did not play at all (bonus baby rule was you have to be on a roster, but do not have to play).

Johnny dabbled as a pitcher, appearing in 25 games with a 5.61 ERA and 1-3 record.