BOSTON (AP) — John J. “Tinker” Connelly, who coached Northeastern baseball for 26 years and led the Huskies to the 1966 College World Series, has died. He was 85.
Connelly died Saturday after a long illness, the school announced.
Connelly earned nine varsity letters in football, hockey and baseball and was the quarterback of the Northeastern team that went undefeated in 1951. After graduating, he joined the athletic staff as a backfield coach in football and as a freshman hockey and baseball coach. He was named the head baseball coach in 1956 and posted a record of 288-280-5 before he retired in 1981.
Connelly stayed on as manager of Matthews Arena until he retired in 1991.
He was inducted into the Northeastern University Hall of Fame in 1975 and the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985.
