Early 20th Century New York Giants Third Baseman: Art Devlin (1905-1911)

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Arthur McArthur Devlin was born October 16, 1879 in the Nation’s capitol, Washington D.C. The six foot gifted athlete, attended Georgetown University starring in both in football & baseball.

He was the team football captain & would have won All American if it had not been restricted to Harvard, Yale or Pronceton players back then.He served as football coach at North Carolina State in 1902 & 1903 then joined the New York Giants baseball team in 1904.

He would be the Giants regular third baseman for the next eight years winning two pennants and one World Series title under legendary manager John McGraw. In 1905 Devlin led the league in stolen bases (59) hit 14 doubles, 61 RBIs, and seven triples. Although he only hit .246 he posted a .344 on base %. In the 1905 World Series he hit .250 with four hits and an RBI in five games. In Game #3 he helped the Giants with their 5th inning five run rally, as he singled off Andy Coakley & then stole second base.

The next season he raised his average up to .299 hitting 23 doubles, while driving in 65 runs and stealing 54 more bases (3rd in the league). He would lead the league in getting hit by pitches in 1907 and led the league in games played (157) the next year.

Overall while with the Giants in eight seasons, he was in the league’s top ten in walks & hit by pitches five times, stolen bases & on base percentage four times, sacrifice hits, times on base & hit by pitches three times each. Defensively he was among the league's best third baseman as well. Leading the league in assists three times.

In 1908 he led in fielding %, games played, assists & put outs solidifying a tight infield. In 1912 he was purchased by the Boston Braves and played two seasons there, batting .289 in his first season. He retired after the 1914 season with a lifetime .269 batting average 1185 hits 10 HRs 164 doubles 57 triples 285 stolen bases (172nd all time) & a .364 on base %.

At third base he played 1192 games (72 nd all time) made 1399 put outs (45th all time) had 2481 assists (63rd all time) making 257 errors (47th all time) & posted a .938 fielding %.

Retirement: After playing baseball Devlin was the baseball coach at Fordham University in the Bronx during the 1920’s. Some reports claim Devlin coached Frankie Frisch at Fordham University & he introduced him to John McGraw.

After that he served as basketball coach at the Naval Academy. In 1948 Devlin passed away in Jersey City, New Jersey at the age of 69.

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