SABR Bay Area chapter celebrates hometown hero Lefty O’Doul with monument renovation and celebration
On August 9, 2025, SABR’s Lefty O’Doul Bay Area Chapter invited all baseball fans to a hometown hero celebration honoring Francis Joseph “Lefty” O’Doul, whose magnificent baseball grave monument has been fully restored at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park in Colma, California.
The Lefty O’Doul celebration began with the dramatic unveiling of Lefty’s newly restored monument — an impressive 6-foot, 5-inch tall tribute that truly captures the essence of this baseball icon. Marvel at the monument’s stunning features:
- An eloquent epitaph honoring his legacy
- A full-sized marble bat, carved to perfection
- His remarkable career statistics etched in stone
- His legendary .349 lifetime batting average displayed on a marble baseball
Speakers included Lefty’s cousin Tom O’Doul; authors Dennis Snelling and Eric C. Gray; Marlene Vogelsang of SABR’s Lefty O’Doul Chapter; and more.
The Irish American Baseball Society transported us back in time with traditional Irish melodies accompanied by the stirring sounds of bagpipes, followed by an enthusiastic group rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” The special event was filmed for SABR member Jon Leonoudakis’s upcoming documentary, Lefty O’Doul: America’s Forgotten Hero. After the graveside ceremony, the festivities moved to nearby Molloy’s Tavern, where attendees raised a glass to celebrate Lefty’s 128th birthday surrounded by fellowship, good cheer, and our shared passion for baseball—America’s beloved national pastime.
The renovation was possible thanks to funding from the SABR Local Grants Program and the San Francisco Giants. Thanks also to Cypress Lawn Memorial Park and their Heritage Foundation, Molloy’s Tavern, and American Monumental Company for their invaluable support.
Click here to view a photo gallery of the event on Flickr.com.
Click here to watch a promo video, courtesy of Jon Leonoudakis:
Originally published: August 14, 2025. Last Updated: August 15, 2025.