In a long overdue homage to one of Major League Baseball’s most accomplished managers, the late Danny Murtaugh, will be posthumously honored by the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame. Murtaugh, who led the Pittsburgh Pirates to two World Series victories and secured over 1,100 wins across 15 seasons, will be officially inducted on May 22 during a special ceremony at PNC Park as part of the Pirates’ Irish Heritage Night.
Though Murtaugh, a figure deeply respected in the baseball community, never had the chance to set foot in Ireland—the homeland of his ancestors—this induction serves as a heartfelt bridge to those roots. Pirates team historian Jim Trdinich echoed the sentiment shared by many within and beyond the baseball world, highlighting the profound impact Murtaugh had on the game, the team, and its fans. His managerial success places him among the elites in Pirates and Major League Baseball’s storied history.
Before his remarkable managerial career, Murtaugh was a formidable infielder, playing for both the Philadelphia Phillies and Pirates from 1941-1951. His tenure as Pirates manager spanned four separate stints, beginning in 1957 and concluding in 1976, after which he had planned a visit to Ireland before his untimely death in December that same year.
Despite attempts by then-General Manager Joe L. Brown to find a lasting replacement, Murtaugh’s leadership proved irreplaceable, drawing him back into the manager’s role multiple times.
Born in 1917 into a working-class Irish family in Chester, the Murtaugh legacy is steeped in the pride of his Irish heritage. His commitment to the game and his roots has not been forgotten, with the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame founder Shaun Clancy remarking on Murtaugh’s lasting influence and proud lineage.
The induction ceremony will see Murtaugh’s legacy honored by his grandchildren, Colleen Hroncich and Katie Walton, ensuring that the navigator of the baseball world is forever remembered not just for his strategic brilliance but also for his profound connections to his Irish heritage.
Murtaugh will be inducted alongside baseball greats such as Lefty O’Doul, media personalities Jack Curry and Brian Kenny, and Hall of Famer Wade Boggs, in what promises to be a memorable class of 2024 for the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame.