[1] McConnell attended Beloit College[2] and made a living by working at the town mill for fifty hours a week (earning him $6).

He also set the Red Sox record for most stolen bases in a single-season by a rookie with 31,[1] which stood until being broken by Jacoby Ellsbury on June 15, 2008.

[8] Nevertheless, McConnell was voted the most popular Red Sox player of the season by the fans,[1] beating out Cy Young and Tris Speaker in the process.

[1][9] In the second inning of the game, Heinie Wagner led off with an infield single[10] and outfielder Jake Stahl reached base with a bunt.

McConnell unsuccessfully attempted to sacrifice bunt twice and was able to reach a full count before Red Sox manager Fred Lake ordered the two baserunners to hit and run.

[11] McConnell then hit a line drive past Cy Young, the game's starting pitcher, and to Indians' shortstop Neal Ball.

[2] Nonetheless, he had 26 stolen bases and was an integral part of the team's offense centered around base-stealing, nicknamed the "Speed Boys".

[1] As a result, McConnell was deemed redundant and in August, while he was still recovering from injury, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox with Harry Lord in exchange for Billy Purtell and Frank Smith.