Dennis “Dan” Lawrence McGann

1905 World Series Champion

Captain of the New York Giants

As is often the case, a tragic death can overshadow one’s life, so we will begin there and work our way backwards.

On December 13, 1910, the body of 39-year-old, Dan McGann, was found by the proprietor and a porter in room #31 of Bosler’s Hotel at 2nd and Jefferson Street in downtown Louisville.  He had a revolver in his hand and a hole in his heart.  The coroner reported that the bullet pierced the heart and lodged in the spine.  His death was instantaneous, approximately ten to twelve hours before he was discovered. No one heard the shot fired, even though all adjoining rooms were occupied.

Also found, were two deposit slips valued at $9,000 and $2,500, a note for $1,000, cash in the amount of $37, and a diamond pin.  What was NOT found was a diamond ring worth almost $22,000 in today’s currency.  Therefore, Dan’s surviving brother and two sisters believed he was murdered.  All that had spoken to him that day, alleged that he was in good spirits, and could not imagine why he would have taken his own life.

McGann’s body was brought from Louisville to Shelbyville in a special car, and an excess of flowers were sent.  A large crowd came to pay their last respects at the Catholic Church of the Annunciation for his funeral (Father John H. Riley, Officiant) and at Grove Hill Cemetery, where he was interred.

Dan had several nicknames.  As Captain of the 1905 World Series winning team, he was known as “Cap McGann”, as he was Captain of the team and First Baseman.  He set the National League record in 1904 for five stolen bases in a game. Manager (and Dan’s drinking buddy), John McGraw said it was the best team he ever managed.  McGann was also sometimes called, “Rowdy Dan”, as he was known for fighting on the field, being thrown out of games, and for his colorful language. At one point, he was suspended indefinitely, after a particularly heated foray against the Cincinnati Reds.  The Pittsburgh Press noted that Dan would, “bring a blush to the face of any man unfortunate enough to be accompanied by a woman.”  “Rowdy Dan” was reinstated a short time later, after he promised to behave himself for the rest of the season.

Locally, he was known as “Big Dan” McGann.  At 6’0″ and 190 lbs, the switch hitter was considered to be a pretty big guy at the turn of the last century.  He was described as quiet and amiable off the field. He worked hard to stay in shape, and the Society for American Baseball Research stated, “What he lacks in ability, he makes up for by his method of playing. ‘KY’ is a fair batter, a fair runner, and fair fielder, but he is a hustler who never knows when to quit.” After his World Series win, it was reported that, “Shelbyville is prouder of McGann that it is of her breed of horses.  In fact, ‘Big Dan’ is now the most prominent citizen in Shelby County.”

Unfortunately, Dan suffered many tragedies throughout his life.  He lost his mother in his youth.  He lost a brother from an infection as a result of an accidental shooting, and he lost second brother as well as a sister, both to suicide.  As a boy, “Denny” was described as modest and timid.  He was born in 1871 and grew up in Shelbyville, as one of seven children.  “Denny” and his brothers bore a striking resemblance to one another.  They were all long, lean, and freckled. His father was a Contractor and a stern disciplinarian.  It was said that the senior McGann, “believed in a free use of the hickory [switch] when any one of his many sons offended.” So, Denny turned to baseball.  First with the older boys, then in school, and eventually with the Minor League team in Shelbyville.  And what a career he had!  It is a terrible shame that so much talent was erased so young.