A McCreachery Card Theory

There has been some interesting speculation on why an Old Judge card with Deacon White on it had the name "McCreachery" underneath it. Some believe the theory that was a joke because White's playing had become so poor that he was presumed to be the manager. This is a great story, but I believe there is a more likely, and unfortunately, cynical reason for why White was given the name "McCreachery".

In the late 19th Century, there were many Irish immigrants coming to America. Seeing that by stealing jobs and resources from other Americans, they came to resent the Irish, and it lead to discrimination against them. It is hard to imagine in our country today, which is 25 percent Irish, but some Irishmen changed their names to rid themselves of prefixes like "O" or "Mc". For instance, Hall of Famer Jim O'Rourke briefly changed his name to "Rourke" when he entered the league, and reversed it back about a year later.

So the reason behind the "McCreachery" name given to Deacon White's card wasn't simply that it was a false name, but that it was an Irish one. My belief is that the slander made against White was mocking his religiosity, that the joke is that he was Catholic, as the Catholics had strict codes of behavior in regards to alcohol, etc. As such, the McCreachery card is derogatory in nature, towards both the Irish and White himself. This is most certainly the reason for its very low print run.

This doesn't mean that the card isn't an incredibly interesting card, especially seeing as it is a unique card of a Hall of Famer. Surely, it would reach 200k+ in auction, being probably the only known unique card of a HOFer in existence. I felt that it was time for the real story of the McCreachery card to come out, and it my strong belief that this story is an accurate interpretation of the card.

Per Net54 conversation, "creature" was slang for drinking, the Irish were stereotyped as being heavy drinkers, and the card "McCreachery" most likely meant "drinks so much that he's Irish."

Interesting, plausible theory. I've been following this discussion across the street and thought I'd add my two cents.... As previously mentioned the name, McCreachery is not a Gaelic name, but could it be the name was a contraction of sorts of the Irish name, "McCree" and the English name ,"Chery". Only meaning he was of Irish-English origin. Great discussion.

Interesting sidenote: The Irish were once hired by southern plantation owners to drain bogs, very dangerous work. The owners would not risk the lives of their African American slaves, which were valued property, when they could hire the Irish by the day. If an Irishman dies, oh well.

pariah1107 wrote:Interesting, plausible theory. I've been following this discussion across the street and thought I'd add my two cents.... As previously mentioned the name, McCreachery is not a Gaelic name, but could it be the name was a contraction of sorts of the Irish name, "McCree" and the English name ,"Chery". Only meaning he was of Irish-English origin. Great discussion.

Could be. The name "Chery" I believe to be french, it means "darling".

McCrea in gaelic: "Son of Grace"
Chery in french: "Darling"

So McCreachery could have meant something along the lines of "Dear Son of Grace". Which would make sense since he was a devout Christian.

I'm quite sure that the above is correct about "Dear Son of Grace." But you were the only one to think of breaking it up into the words "McCrea" and "Chery". Impressive, my friend. BRAVO!!!

Great topic! Been thinking about this all morning, great way to distract myself from a Monday, thank you Jamie.

Hadn't thought of it in the literal religious interpretation "Dear Son of Grace", but perhaps the nickname "Irish Cherry", like say the "Georgia Peach"?

No, I think that with White's religiosity, it must have meant "Dear Son of Grace". Especially since he wasn't really Irish. This makes the most sense within the context and is also the literal interpretation of the names.

So here is the McCreachery card, code uncracked:

It is a double-entendre.

McCrea/Chery means "Sweet Son of God"
Creach means "Fall from Grace"

BRAVO!!!!!!!!!

Deacon White was a manager by 1887-88. Would the Scottish/Irish folklore song "Mother Machree" apply? Was he the doting managerial type? Probably not. These lyrics were not compiled until 1910, but had probably been sung for generations.

http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/folk-song-lyrics/Mother_Machree.htm

pariah1107 wrote:Deacon White was a manager by 1887-88. Would the Scottish/Irish folklore song "Mother Machree" apply? Was he the doting managerial type? Probably not. These lyrics were not compiled until 1910, but had probably been sung for generations.

http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/folk-song-lyrics/Mother_Machree.htm

Wow, Ty! Great find!

Based on wiki, it does seem that the song really was written by Rida Johnson Young in 1910. However, Young may have chosen the name Machree for the same etymological reference that the OJ authors chose it for - Mother Machree is Mother Mary - Jesus being the son of God (Machree) and Mother Mary being his mother!

good thread on the other side jamie