Frank O’Rourke

Blackie O’Rourke, a dark-complected Ontario native, spent more than 70 years in pro baseball. After four major league stops, he became Detroit’s everyday second baseman in 1925. When he came down with the measles in 1926, rookie Charlie Gehringer took over and headed for the Hall of Fame. Traded to the Browns after the season, O’Rourke was St. Louis’s third baseman through 1930. A minor league coach and manager, he was a scout for the Reds (1941-51) and the Yankees (1952-83).