Silent,Feared,Effective,Respected. These are four words that describe the career of one of softball’s greatest power hitters. With three National Championships, five second place finishes, seven First Team All-American selections and three home run championships on his resume, these words are obviously not exaggerations. Fans of 16” softball will always remember the home run that cleared the press box at Lou Boudreau Field in Harvey, the shot that hit the upper deck at the old Comisky Park and his 37 round trippers in one season at Majewski Park. In 1992, John O’Connor won MVP honors at Forest Park as a member of one of only two teams to win that championship three straight years. John began his playing career in 1974 at DesPlaines with the Townhouse Pub. From that point on he played with teams such as the Turtles, Carmichael’s Runts, Sporting Goods, Bud North, March Manufacturing, Lettuce and many others. He even took a year off from 16” softball to play 12” with Eddie Zolna’s entry in the Pro League. John fondly remembers the competition against his fiercest rivals of the 80s and 90s, the Whips. That rivalry produced great memories, as well as long lasting friendships. John and his wife,Christine, have three children: Kelly, Colleen and John.
