Joe Cronin

Joseph Edward Cronin (October 12, 1906 – September 7, 1984) was an American professional baseball player, manager and executive who played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop, most notably for the Boston Red Sox. Born in the Excelsior District of San Francisco, California, Cronin saw his parents lose almost all of their possessions in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. He attended Sacred Heart High School, played several sports as a child, and won a city tennis championship for his age group at age 14.

Over a 20-year playing career from 1926 to 1945, Cronin played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Senators and Boston Red Sox. He served as a player-manager for 13 seasons from 1933 to 1945, and managed for two additional seasons in 1946 and 1947. A seven-time All-Star, he became the first American League player to be named an All-Star with two teams.

Cronin spent over 48 years in baseball, culminating in 14 years as president of the American League. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1956.