Chris McFarland appeared in three games for the Baltimore Monumentals of the Union Association in April 1884. He was clubbed in his one game as a pitcher, giving up ten runs in three innings (and nine in the third inning alone) – though only five were earned. The other two games (and the rest of his pitching outing) he played in centerfield where he gathered three hits in fourteen plate appearances and made three errors in just seven chances.

Christopher A. McFarland was born August 17, 1861 in Fall River, Massachusetts to Malcolm and Pennel (Livingstone) McFarland, both Nova Scotia imports. Chris was the seventh and final child of a large family. Malcolm worked a farm in Fall River while Penuel had her hands full with the large family. McFarland played amateur ball in Fall River when he got the opportunity to try out with the Union Association’s Baltimore franchise.

A number of Fall River’s baseball club got opportunities to play professionally in 1884. “McFarland’s pitching is much praised,” wrote the Fall River Herald, “and as he is getting control of the ball, he will bother those who face him. (John) O’Brien is catching him in a surprising manner. This battery ought to make a good record. They go to Baltimore.”

Both McFarland and O’Brien got looks with Baltimore – but both spent the majority of their time in the outfield. McFarland’s lone start on the mound was the only time either player was part of a battery in Baltimore. O’Brien’s career was longer – lasting 19 games. When O’Brien’s returned home, he joined the Fall River fire department, making it as far as Captain in his long career. As for McFarland, Chris got into the Dry Goods business, eventually buying an interest in his own company. Save for a few month break when he decided he needed a rest in the south, McFarland spent at least 30 years in the dry goods business.

On May 24, 1918, McFarland had just finished dinner in New Bedford, where he was recently hired as superintendent of the New Bedford Dry Goods store, when he came down what was thought to be indigestion while walking home. A pharmacist tried to help and contacted a doctor who arranged for a taxi to take McFarland home. As he walked into his house, McFarland called out for his wife – and then collapsed into a chair. What he thought was indigestion was, rather, a heart attack. McFarland was in the next league before his wife could reach him.

The article announcing McFarland’s May 24, 1918 death noted his career and a family that included second wife, the former Sara Smith, and his daughter Lena. Lena was the daughter of McFarland and his first wife, Flora Miller. It also noted his being a 32nd degree Mason, and what would be a Masonic funeral and burial. However, it did not mention McFarland’s baseball career. (His gravestone in Oak Grove Cemetery in Fall River also contains an 1860 birth year, while his profile on Baseball-Reference.com notes an 1861 birth year. If there is a tiebreaker, consider that his Masonic registration card lists an 1860 birth.)

Notes:

1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910 US Census
Massachusetts Marriage Records

“Base Ball,” Fall River Herald, March 14, 1884: 2.
“Sporting Matters,” Baltimore Sun, April 21, 1884: 5.
“At Belair Park,” Baltimore Sun, April 29, 1884: 4.
“At Belair Park,” Baltimore Sun, April 30, 1884: 4.
“Base Ball,” Fall River Daily Evening News, May 21, 1884: 2.
Tecumseh.”Observations on Sports Here and There,” Fall River Herald, February 6, 1909: 2.
“Store Manager Dies Suddenly,” New Bedford Evening Standard, May 25, 1918: 5.