Remembering Harry O’Neill

Harry O’Neill with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1939

Today marks what would have been the 109th birthday for Harry O’Neill, the onetime Philadelphia Athletics catcher who is one of two former major leaguers killed during World War II. ‍

O'Neill is a first lieutenant with the Marines when he is killed in 1945 on Iwo Jima.‍

O’Neill plays one game for the Philadelphia A's in 1939 before batting .238 in 16 games in the minor leagues for the Harrisburg Senators in 1940.

Less than 10 months before O'Neill’s death, former Washington Senators outfielder Elmer Gedeon dies when the B-26 bomber he is piloting is shot down over France.

Coincidentally, in the fall of 1940 – an outfielder named Bill Embick – one of O'Neill's teammates in Harrisburg – becomes the first pro player selected in the United States' initial peacetime draft.

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