56-pound Weight Throw, Men

The favorite was Matt McGrath but he had to withdraw after injuring his knee in the hammer throw. The next best throwers were also Irish-Americans, Paddy Ryan and Pat McDonald. They were the class of the field with McDonald winning. Between 1911 and 1928, either McDonald, Ryan, or McGrath won 17 of the 18 AAU Championships, as follows: McDonald – eight titles, McGrath – seven titles, and Ryan – two titles. Pat McDonald was born Pat McDonnell. When his sister landed at Ellis Island, the immigration clerk spelled her name McDonald and, fearing deportation, she said nothing. All her family members who came after her spelled the name in the same manner.