Eddie O’Brien – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Eddie O’Brien stands out as one of baseball’s most unique stories—a versatile player who spent his entire five-year Major League career with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1953 to 1958.

Born Edward Joseph O’Brien on December 11, 1930, in South Amboy, New Jersey, he made baseball history alongside his twin brother Johnny when they became the first twins to play for the same team in the same game.

O’Brien officially retired from professional baseball in 1958 after playing his final game on April 19. He ended a career that saw him play multiple positions like shortstop, outfielder, and pitcher.

His baseball journey was anything but ordinary. He and his brother even got drafted by the NBA’s Milwaukee Hawks in 1953, but they chose to chase their baseball careers instead.

Let’s take a look at O’Brien’s path from his early days in New Jersey, his college basketball success at Seattle University, his pro baseball years in Pittsburgh, and his life after hanging up his cleats.

You’ll find his career stats, including a .236 batting average and his unusual role as a utility player, plus his transition to coaching and other professional gigs. The legacy he left in both baseball and beyond is definitely worth remembering.

Early Life and Education

Edward Joseph O’Brien entered the world on December 11, 1930, and grew up in South Amboy, New Jersey with his identical twin brother Johnny.

Both brothers went to Seattle University, where they honed their baseball skills and earned business degrees. The Pittsburgh Pirates signed them after college.

Family Background

Eddie O’Brien came from a tight-knit family in South Amboy. He was one of identical twins, with Johnny arriving just minutes later.

The O’Brien twins shared a bond that shaped their lives both on and off the baseball field.

Growing up in New Jersey, they showed early athletic promise and a competitive edge.

Their family encouraged their baseball dreams from the start. That support helped both twins build the skills that eventually took them to the majors.

People often mixed up the brothers because they looked so much alike. Even Topps, the baseball card company, struggled to tell them apart.

High School Achievements

Eddie attended St. Mary’s High School in South Amboy, New Jersey, where he first made a name for himself as a talented baseball player.

His high school career set the stage for his future success in college and pro baseball.

At St. Mary’s, Eddie became known as a versatile player who could handle multiple positions. College scouts from all over took notice of his athleticism.

The school produced quality baseball talent. Eddie became the second St. Mary’s graduate to reach the majors in 1953, just six days after his twin Johnny.

Seattle University Athletic Career

Both O’Brien twins decided to attend Seattle University, where they studied business and played college baseball.

This choice turned out to be crucial for their growth as both students and athletes.

At Seattle University, Eddie and Johnny formed a dynamic duo on the baseball team. Their chemistry as twins made them a force on the diamond.

Major League Baseball scouts started to take notice. Branch Rickey, the legendary executive, saw their potential and signed both twins to a $40,000 bonus contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Their time at Seattle University really prepared them for pro baseball. The education they got there also helped them later, with Eddie eventually working in athletics and other business ventures.

Professional Baseball Career

Edward Joseph O’Brien played five seasons in Major League Baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates, from 1953 to 1958.

He and his twin brother Johnny made history as the first twins to play for the same team in the same game. Eddie showed off his versatility by playing multiple positions.

MLB Debut with Pittsburgh Pirates

Eddie O’Brien made his Major League debut on April 25, 1953, with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was the second player from St. Mary’s High School in South Amboy to reach the majors that year.

Johnny, his twin, beat him to the big leagues by just six days. Eddie’s debut kicked off a unique baseball story in MLB history.

The Pirates gave Eddie his shot after he and Johnny were drafted by the NBA’s Milwaukee Hawks in 1953. But both brothers picked baseball over basketball.

Eddie played on and off during his rookie season in 1953. He missed the entire 1954 season, then returned to play four straight years from 1955 to 1958.

His last MLB appearance came on April 19, 1958, still with the Pirates. He spent his whole five-year career with Pittsburgh.

Positions Played: Shortstop, Second Baseman, Pitcher

O’Brien’s versatility made him a valuable utility player for the Pirates.

He mostly played shortstop and center field, but he also saw time at third base and even pitched.

His pitching stats include a 1-0 record with a 3.31 ERA over 16⅓ innings. Not many players in his era could pull off that kind of dual role.

Key Position Stats:

• Primary Position: Shortstop
• Secondary Positions: Center field, Third base
• Pitching Record: 1-0, 3.31 ERA

As a position player, O’Brien hit .236 over 231 games. He notched 131 hits and 25 RBIs during his career.

His best asset was his glove at shortstop. The Pirates relied on his ability to fill multiple roles, keeping him on the roster despite his modest bat.

Notable Career Highlights

O’Brien never hit a home run in his Major League career, finishing with zero in 231 games. Still, he showed good plate discipline and made contact often.

In 1955, he struck out just 18 times in 236 at-bats. That kind of strike zone judgment is impressive.

He finished with a .236 career average, which really shows he was more of a defensive specialist than a threat at the plate.

Career Stats Summary:

• Games: 231
• Batting Average: .236
• Hits: 131
• Home Runs: 0
• RBIs: 25
• Strikeouts (1955): 18 in 236 at-bats

The Pirates kept him around for five seasons, showing they trusted his abilities. His reliability as a utility player kept him in the majors.

Playing with Twin Brother Johnny O’Brien

Eddie and Johnny O’Brien made baseball history as the first twins to play for the same team in the same game with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The O’Brien twins are one of just four brother combos to play second base and shortstop for the same MLB club. The others: the Hamner, Bolling, and Ripken brothers.

Johnny usually played second base while Eddie took shortstop. Their defensive partnership gave the Pirates a unique middle infield that fans loved to watch.

Both brothers played basketball at Seattle University and even helped upset the Harlem Globetrotters 84-81 on January 21, 1952. That athletic success carried right over to their baseball careers.

Their twin connection brought something special to Pirates games in the mid-1950s. Seeing them on the field together created some truly memorable moments for Pittsburgh fans.

Performance and Statistics

Eddie O’Brien’s five-year run with the Pirates produced modest offensive numbers and just a handful of pitching appearances.

He showed his value by playing multiple positions, though his batting average stayed below league standards during his time in the majors.

Batting Average and Offensive Stats

O’Brien wrapped up his career with a .236 batting average over 231 games. His offense was steady, if not exactly eye-popping.

His best season at the plate came in 1956, when he hit .264 in limited action. That year, he appeared in 63 games with 53 at-bats.

Career Offensive Totals:

• 131 hits in 554 at-bats
• 25 RBIs across five seasons
• 64 runs scored
• 0 home runs in his MLB career

O’Brien posted a .288 on-base percentage, which shows he struggled to reach base often. His .269 slugging percentage highlights the lack of power in his bat.

As a shortstop, he collected 10 doubles and 4 triples. He swiped 11 bases, though he got caught 7 times.

Pitching Performance

O’Brien pitched in his last three seasons with the Pirates. He only threw 16.1 innings over 5 appearances, so it wasn’t a major part of his career.

He made his pitching debut in 1956 with a short 2-inning outing. In 1957, he pitched 12.1 innings over 3 games, which was his busiest year on the mound.

Pitching Stats:

• 5 total appearances (1956-1958)
• 16.1 innings pitched
• 1 game started in 1957

His final MLB appearance came on April 19, 1958, when he pitched 2 innings against Cincinnati. He allowed 4 hits, struck out 1, walked 1, and gave up 3 earned runs.

O’Brien turned to pitching to try and extend his career a bit longer. His ability to play the field and pitch really showed his athletic versatility.

Career Fielding Analysis

O’Brien’s defensive versatility was his biggest strength. He mostly played shortstop but also handled center field, third base, and a few other spots.

He played 108 games at SS over several seasons. As a shortstop, he posted a .953 fielding percentage, a bit below the league average of .963.

Fielding by Position:

• Shortstop: 108 games, .953 fielding percentage
• Center Field: 57 games, .992 fielding percentage
• Third Base: 11 games, .882 fielding percentage

His range factor at shortstop was 4.06 per game, while the league average sat at 4.94. He made 23 errors in 1953, which showed some early defensive struggles.

O’Brien’s best defensive work came in center field, where he held a .992 fielding percentage. That outfield spot really fit his athleticism.

Retirement and Life After Baseball

Eddie O’Brien wrapped up his baseball career in 1958, but he didn’t leave sports behind.

He moved into coaching roles and later became athletic director at Seattle University, where he had played basketball before joining the Pirates.

Transition from Player to Coach

O’Brien transitioned smoothly from player to coach after his final game in 1958. His experience handling multiple positions gave him a lot to offer as an instructor.

He stayed connected to baseball through coaching, using his knowledge of the game and his knack for working with players.

O’Brien started coaching not long after retiring. He brought the same work ethic that defined his five seasons with the Pirates.

Seattle Pilots and Other Coaching Roles

In 1969, O’Brien joined the Seattle Pilots as a bullpen coach for the expansion team’s only season.

The Pilots had a rough year on the field, but O’Brien picked up valuable major league coaching experience.

Author Jim Bouton wrote about O’Brien in “Ball Four,” his famous book covering the 1969 season. Bouton called O’Brien his “consistent antagonist” during that memorable year.

The Pilots left Seattle after just one season, ending O’Brien’s brief return to the big leagues as a coach. Still, the experience added to his coaching resume and kept him in the professional baseball world.

Athletic Director and Other Careers

O’Brien took the job as athletic director at Seattle University in 1958, right after his playing days ended. He stuck with the role for ten years, up until 1968.

After his time with the Seattle Pilots, O’Brien went back to Seattle University. He worked there until he retired in 1980, and he even coached the baseball team for part of that stretch.

He stayed involved in college athletics well into his later years. Just the night before he died in February 2014, at age 83, he went to a college basketball game.

Outside the world of sports, O’Brien worked as an energy consultant in Alaska. That career move really showed how he could succeed in different fields, not just baseball or university life.

Personal Life and Legacy

Eddie O’Brien’s life went way beyond his five years in Major League Baseball. He had strong family ties and made a lasting impact on athletics.

He died at 83 in 2014, leaving a legacy that includes his historic role as one of baseball’s first twin teammates and his work in university sports.

Personal Interests and Family

Edward Joseph O’Brien shared a close bond with his twin brother Johnny. They both went to Saint Mary’s High School in South Amboy, New Jersey, where they stood out in baseball and basketball.

The O’Brien twins made history as the first twins to play for the same MLB team in the same game with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Eddie played his entire Major League career, from 1953 to 1958, alongside Johnny.

After baseball, Eddie tried different career paths. He worked as an energy consultant in Alaska, which really showed how adaptable he was outside of sports.

His interests stretched into business and education too. The twins kept strong connections to their Seattle University roots.

Both brothers built successful lives in the Pacific Northwest after their playing days. Their shared journey made a lasting family legacy in pro sports.

Death and Tributes

Eddie O’Brien died on February 21, 2014, at 83. His passing closed the book on an era for fans who remembered the O’Brien twins.

People gathered at St. James Cathedral in Seattle on March 3, 2014, for memorial services. Friends and family came to celebrate his life and his contributions to both baseball and education.

Seattle University honored him for his years as athletic director and baseball coach. His influence on the school’s athletic programs stuck around long after he retired in 1980.

The baseball world remembered Eddie as half of a unique sibling duo. His death meant the loss of a player who helped write one of baseball’s most interesting family stories.

Historical Significance in MLB

Eddie O’Brien and his brother Johnny carved out a rare place in Major League Baseball history. Only four sets of brothers have played shortstop and second base together on the same team.

They made their MLB debuts just six days apart in April 1953. Johnny took the field on April 19, and Eddie followed on April 25, both with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Eddie stood out in his era because he could play so many positions. He moved between shortstop, outfield, third base, and even pitched during his career.

The O’Brien twins’ story really highlights the special family connections that sometimes pop up in pro sports. Their time together on the Pirates gave fans and teammates some unforgettable moments.

Eddie wrapped up his career with a .236 batting average over 554 at-bats. Sure, the stats might not jump off the page, but being part of baseball’s first twin duo is something special.

Net Worth and Financial Overview

Eddie O’Brien’s financial legacy reflects the pretty modest paychecks of 1950s baseball players. Most of his wealth came from his five years with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

After baseball, he took on coaching jobs and got involved in the community, which helped supplement what he earned during his playing days.

Career Earnings

Eddie O’Brien’s earnings in MLB were pretty standard for that time. Players in the 1950s made a lot less than today’s stars, with salaries usually between $5,000 and $15,000 a year.

He played during the pre-free agency era, so teams really controlled the money side of things. O’Brien’s five-year run spanned 1953 and then 1955-1958, all with Pittsburgh.

The Pirates probably paid him a rookie salary of about $6,000 in 1953. Veterans might have earned $10,000-12,000 a year. His total career earnings probably landed somewhere between $40,000 and $50,000 before taxes.

Baseball players didn’t get pension benefits until 1947. O’Brien qualified for early pension payments after five years in the league, which gave him some retirement income, though not much by today’s standards.

Business Ventures and Consulting

After he retired in 1958, O’Brien moved into coaching and baseball instruction. He served as the bullpen coach for the Seattle Pilots in 1969, as mentioned in Jim Bouton’s book “Ball Four.”

Coaching salaries in the late 1960s gave him steady work. Minor league and pro coaching jobs usually paid between $8,000 and $15,000 a year.

He probably ran baseball clinics and taught at youth camps. A lot of former players picked up extra income by giving private lessons or running summer programs.

His twin brother Johnny stayed involved in baseball too, so they might have worked together sometimes. The baseball instruction scene grew in the 1960s and 1970s, and former major leaguers like O’Brien found plenty of chances to teach young players the basics.

O’Brien’s experience as a shortstop, outfielder, and pitcher made him a valuable instructor for all-around skills.

Philanthropy and Community Impact

Eddie O’Brien kept in touch with his South Amboy, New Jersey hometown all his life. He never really lost that connection.

Former players often came back to support local baseball programs or help out with youth development. It just seemed natural to give back where it all started.

His twin brother Johnny also played pro ball, so the two of them sometimes showed up together for community events. Kids in town probably saw the O’Brien brothers as proof that you could make it in sports if you worked hard enough.

Eddie probably played in charity games and helped with fundraising events now and then. A lot of ex-major leaguers did that kind of thing, showing up for causes or playing in exhibitions.

These events always helped the community and, honestly, gave the players a little extra cash too. Baseball alumni liked to volunteer with high school and amateur teams, passing on what they knew.

Eddie went to St. Mary’s High School, which put him in a good spot to mentor younger athletes. Back then, giving back to the baseball community just felt like the right thing to do.