Sport(s) Football, baseball 1927–1928 Boston Braves Role Baseball player | Name Dinny McNamara | |
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Born September 16, 1905Lexington, Massachusetts ( 1905-09-16 ) Died December 20, 1963, Arlington, Massachusetts, United States | ||
John Raymond "Dinny" McNamara (September 16, 1905 – December 20, 1963) was an American football and baseball player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Boston College for the first four games of the 1935 season, compiling a record of 3–1. He briefly played Major League Baseball with the Boston Braves in 1927 and 1928.
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Baseball career
After graduating from Boston College in June 1927, McNamara signed as a free agent with the Boston Braves. He made his major league debut on July 2, 1927. In two seasons with the Braves, he played in 20 games, mostly as a pinch runner, had one hit in 13 at-bats for a batting average of .077, and scored five runs. He also spent time with the Providence Grays of the New England League.
Coaching career
McNamara was the backfield coach at Fordham University under Frank Cavanaugh from 1927 to 1932. In 1933, he served as an assistant to Joe McKenney at Boston College. McNamara became head football coach at Boston College in 1935 after McKenney resigned to accept the post of associate director of physical education in the Boston public school system. Midway through the 1935 season, McNamara resigned due to a "nervous ailment" and was replaced by Harry Downes. His record at head coach was 3–1. McNamara also served as the freshman baseball coach at Boston College. He was killed on December 20, 1963 when he was hit by a car while walking near his home.