Quick Facts
Biography
Thomas J. (Tom) O'Brien (February 20, 1873 – February 3, 1901) was an outfielder/infielder who played in Major League Baseball from 1897 through 1900. O'Brien was born in Verona, Pennsylvania. It is unknown whether he threw and batted left or right-handed.
A valuable utility man, O'Brien was able to play all positions except pitcher and catcher, although he played mostly in the outfield or at first base. He reached the majors in 1897 with the Baltimore Orioles, spending one and a half years with them before moving to the Pittsburgh Pirates (1898), New York Giants (1899), and again with Pittsburgh (1900). His most productive season came in 1899 with the Giants, when he posted career-highs in batting average (.297), home runs (6), RBI (77), runs (100), and games played (150).
In a four-season-career, O'Brien was a .278 hitter (436-for-1569) with 10 home runs and 229 RBI in 427 games.
O'Brien died in Phoenix, Arizona at the age of 27, from drinking a large amount of salty seawater after having been told that it would cure his seasickness.