Bob Tillman
From SoSH
| Born: | March 24, 1937 |
| Birthplace: | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Hometown: | |
| Height: | 6' 4" |
| Weight: | 205 lbs |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Right |
| Drafted: | 1958: Amateur Free Agent by the Boston Red Sox |
| College: | Georgia Institute of Technology, Middle Tennessee State University |
| High School: | |
| Other Teams: | New York Yankees 1967 Atlanta Braves 1968-1970 |
| Years with Boston: | 1962-1967 |
John Robert Tillman (born March 24, 1937 in Nashville, Tennessee) signed as an amateur free agent with the Boston Red Sox in 1958.
Contents |
Overall Career
Tillman was 25 years old when he broke into the big leagues on April 15, 1962 with Boston. He would go on to spend nine seasons in the major leagues as a catcher, six with Boston. On August 8, 1967, Tillman was purchased by the New York Yankees from the Boston Red Sox. His major league career ended on February 10, 1971 when he was released by the Milwaukee Brewers.
In 1964 he had career highs of 17 homers, 61 RBI, and a .278 BA, but he slumped to .215 the next year. In 9 seasons, he hit .232 with 79 HRs and 282 RBI.
Tillman's Moments in the Sun
- He was the catcher for two no-hitters, one each from pitchers Earl Wilson and Dave Morehead.
- On May 13, 1967, he beaned pitcher John Wyatt with a throw intended to nab Al Kaline at 2nd base. Said Tillman June 9 (having been benched since the incident): "That [throw] plain wasn't my fault, but I was the fall guy in the papers. I don't mean this as a criticism of Wyatt, but he was standing straight up when I threw the ball. I said it at the time, and I still say it, there was nothing wrong with the throw." Finally he was reinstated into the lineup June 20, celebrated by going 2 for 4 vs. the Yankees in a 7-1 win, and received a handshake in the locker room from manager Dick Williams.
- On July 30, 1969, with Atlanta, he hit three home runs against the Expos.
Trivia
- Following his career, Tillman worked at a food company in Gallatin, Tenn.
- Was the catcher on August 14, 1966 when pitcher Denny McLain recorded his only career stolen base.
- Figured in the trade that brought Bobby Cox from New York to the Braves organization.
Transactions
- Before 1958 Season: Signed by the Boston Red Sox as an amateur free agent.
- August 8, 1967: Purchased by the New York Yankees from the Boston Red Sox.
- December 7, 1967: Traded by the New York Yankees with Dale Roberts to the Atlanta Braves for Bobby Cox.
- December 2, 1970: Traded by the Atlanta Braves to the Milwaukee Brewers for Hank Allen, John Ryan (minors), and Paul Click (minors).
- February 10, 1971: Released by the Milwaukee Brewers.
External Links
- TheBaseballCube.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
- Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
- Ken Coleman & Dan Valenti: The Impossible Dream Remembered, Stephen Greene Press
