John O’Neil, Former Falcon, Marries Here

Johnny “Scooter” O’Neil, spritely, strong-armed of the Portland Club of the Pacific Coast Double A League during the 1943 season and a major cog in the Jamestown Falcons’ 1941 PONY League pennant drive, has joined the ranks of the benedicts.

Johnny, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. O’Neil of Shelbiana, Ky., married yesterday one of his fans from the ‘41 season, Miss Janette Swanson, daughter of Edward Swanson, 18 Cross Street.

O’Neil, the nifty, who is regarded as one of the finest big league prospects in the coast circuit, had “that good year” during the 1943 campaign. His defensive play, as half of the keystone sack combination, sparkled from early spring to late fall and he contributed much to the Portland scoring punch until the final three weeks of the season. He wound up with a .268 average after having smacked the ball at a .285 almost down to the wire.

“During those last three weeks I couldn’t hit the ball out of the infield,” said Johnny with a rueful grin in describing his macing slump. “We ran into an epidemic of doubleheaders toward the end and those twin bills did my batting average no good.”

O’Neil reported to the Buffalo Bisons in the spring of 1942 and was shipped to the Elmira Eastern League Club in mid-season. He finished the campaign with Pittsfield in the Canadian-American loop. Portland bought him from Pittsfield the winter following and he reported to the San Jose training camp of the west coast club last spring.

Pants Rowland, general manager of the Los Angeles Club said recently “Scooter” is one of the best big league prospects in the coast wheel and almost certain top receive his big chance.

During the off-season, Johnny is a fireman on the New York Central Railroad, operating with Toledo, O., as his headquarters. He will return to his job next week.