 Born 1842 in Ireland, Malone was one of 4 Irish natives to play in the first National Association season and one of five in the first National League season.If we do not count the NA as a major league, he and Andy Leonard share distinction as the first major leaguers born in Ireland, by good fortune that their teams met in the first NL game, 22 April 1876.Leonard is alone first if we count the NA.