Ed Connolly spent his entire four year Major League career as a reserve catcher for the Boston Red Sox. His career was not terribly distinctive, but he does have one thing going for him to make him at least somewhat memorable. He is mostly known for being one-half of one of the rare father-son duos to each play for the Red Sox.
Connolly was young when he first made it, he spent just two years in the minors and made his Major League debut at just 21. He was a decent hitter for a catcher in the minors and Boston signed him before his second season was complete. He ended up playing in just five games for the Red Sox in 1929, but did not register a hit in eight plate appearances.
He would gradually play more and more games each of his next three seasons in the Majors. In 1930, he played in 27 games and hit .188/.250/.229 with two doubles and seven RBIs. He played in 42 games in 1931, but his numbers were actually worse as he hit just .075/.131/.086 with three RBIs. He was almost a regular in 1932 and his numbers were better, but he still hit a paltry .225/.289/.297 with eight doubles and 21 RBIs. His lack of hitting led to an early exit from the game. He ended his career with a line of .178/.239/.229 with no home runs, 12 doubles, four triples, and 34 RBIs.
Connolly's defensive abilities were much more impressive than his hitting. For his career, he caught 41% of attempted base stealers and he was among the top five in the league assists in 1932, though he was also in the top five in errors committed and stolen bases allowed.
His son, Ed Connolly Jr., also had a brief career in the Majors. He pitched parts of two seasons in the Majors, with the Red Sox in 1964 and the Indians in 1967. Connolly Jr. was 4-11 with a 4.91 ERA with the Red Sox. Unfortunately, Ed Connolly Sr. died before ever seeing his son pitch in the Majors. He died in November of 1963 and Ed Jr. made his ML debut in April 1964.
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