Incredible pace bowler Paddy has died at 86

A CARDIFF baseball legend who was one of his sport’s most famous Welsh names has died.

Paddy Hennessy, 86, was a star pace bowler in the Wales baseball team during the 1950s and 1960s, the golden age of the sport – which is slightly different to its American equivalent – in this country.

He is best known for having demolished the England batting line-up in a game at the Maindy Stadium in Cardiff in 1964 in front of thousands of spectators.

Born Richard Christopher Hennessy in County Cork, Ireland, in October 1929, he arrived in the Welsh capital in 1950.

He had played the Irish sports of hurling and Gaelic football in the land of his birth, but gave British baseball a go after watching colleagues at the factory in which he worked playing it.

It soon became apparent he excelled at the sport, and he made his international debut in 1957, winning the Welsh Baseballer of the Year award the following year. He was made Wales captain in 1964, leading his side in that Maindy Stadium match which was witnessed by a crowd of about 6,000.

That legendary game was notable for Hennessy posting incredible bowling figures, getting through the visitors’ batting line in nine minutes and 30 balls – and conceding just six runs. His record stood for five decades until 2014.

But despite his talents he always resisted a move to the US to play in the home of baseball, citing family reasons. In Cardiff, he spent his club career with Connies & Meaden, Splott US and Grange Albion – and was also reportedly scouted by Glamorgan Cricket.

Hennessy died after suffering from dementia in recent years. His funeral will take place at St Mary the Virgin Church in Butetown next Thursday, September 1, from 2.45pm.

His family are happy to welcome all former players and supporters.