Murnane’s baseball career ran the gamut. He began playing before pro teams were organized, joined the National Association, and was a member of Harry Wright‘s 1877-78 National League champion Boston clubs. He managed Boston’s entry in the ill-fated Union Association, scouted, and served as president of the New England League. Becoming a widely read sportswriter, he rose to the post of sports editor of the Boston Globe. The highly opinionated, jovial, white-haired bon vivant defended players ‘ rights, deplored high salaries, and criticized umpires. When he died at age 64 in 1917, leaving a widow and four young children, his grief-stricken colleagues organized a fund-raising game. The Red Sox donated the use of Fenway Park, and pitcher Babe Ruth shut out an all-star team directed by Connie Mack; the event raised $10,000.
