Former Seattle University two-sport star and Pittsburgh Pirates player Johnny O’Brien has died, according to The Seattle Times. He was 94 years old.
O’Brien played both basketball and baseball at Seattle University, becoming the first college basketball player to score 1,000 points in a season. He remains the school’s all-time leading scorer.
Despite being 5-foot-9, Johnny O’Brien played center for Seattle and earned All-American honors. He and his twin brother Eddie helped the Redhawks to a 90-17 record across their three seasons, according to The Seattle Times.
“Johnny O’Brien was a legend in the truest sense of the word,” Seattle University athletic director Shaney Fink told The Seattle Times. “His profound impact transformed Seattle University, the city of Seattle and every person fortunate enough to know him.
“While his athletic accomplishments were extraordinary, it was his character — humble, generous and inspiring — that truly set him apart. We lost a great man whose character will forever shine brighter than his most remarkable achievements.”
Johnny and Eddie both had opportunities to play in the NBA but they chose to play baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, instead.
Johnny O’Brien spent five seasons with the Pirates and also played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Braves in his career.
O’Brien played second base and pitched during his time playing Major League Baseball. He finished with a .250 batting average across 339 MLB games. O’Brien hit 35 doubles, five triples, four home runs and had 59 RBIs over the course of his career.
On the mound, he finished with a 1-3 record and 5.61 ERA across 61 innings pitched. He totaled 30 strikeouts and opponents hit .265 against him.
“His achievements and impacts on SU athletics are too numerous to count,” Seattle University President Eduardo Peñalver said in a statement. “He was a steadfast supporter of the university and of our student athletes. We have lost a legend.”
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