Bobby Doerr

From SoSH

Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr can be be called the greatest second baseman in Red Sox history, as well and one of the best people the organization has ever boasted as their own.

Contents 1 Overall Career 2 Moment in the Sun 3 Awards 4 Achievements 5 Trivia 6 Transactions 7 External Links

Overall Career

Robert Pershing "Bobby" Doerr (born on April 7, 1918 in Los Angeles, CA), grew up a child prodigy in baseball, so much that after excelling in high school and American Legion leagues, he was offered a contract at the age of 16 to play for the Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League. He signed for a two-year guaranteed deal at $200 a month, but would not play for the Stars until they had moved to San Diego and became the Padres. There, he met San Diego native Ted Williams who would become a long time friend.

After the Red Sox and Eddie Collins took an option on him and Williams and bought his contract on November 22, 1935, Doerr broke into the majors in 1937 at the age of 19 and, in the following year, became a regular in a powerful Red Sox lineup that included future hall of famer Jimmie Foxx. In 1939, which would be Williams' rookie season with the Sox, Doerr began a string of 12 consecutive seasons with 10 or more home runs and 73 or more RBI. He batted over .300 three times, with six 100-RBI seasons. Never playing a game at a position other than second base, he retired after the 1951 season to his home in Oregon (due to a major injury to his back) with a .288 lifetime batting average, 223 home runs, 1247 RBI and nine All-Star Game selections. He was also regarded as the top defensive second basemen of his era.

Moment in the Sun

• Ted Williams called Bobby Doerr "the silent captain of the Red Sox."

• Doerr was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986, automatically enshrining him into the Red Sox Hall of Fame as well.

• Doerr's jersey number 1 was retired by the Red Sox on May 21, 1988.

Awards

• Elected to Hall of Fame by Veterans Committee in 1986

• 10-time American League All-Star (1941-1944, 1946-1951)

Achievements

• AL Slugging Percentage Leader (1944)
• AL Triples Leader (1950)
• 20-Home Run Seasons: 3 (1940, 1948 & 1950)
• 100 RBI Seasons: 6 (1940, 1942, 1946 & 1948-1950)
• 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1950)

Trivia

• Bobby Doerr starred in his major league debut, going 3-for-5 for the Red Sox on Opening Day, April 20, 1937
• Doerr played his entire career with the Red Sox.
• Doerr once held the American League record by handling 414 chances without an error and frequently led American League second basemen in double plays, putouts and assists.
• Doerr was the Red Sox hitting coach from 1977-1981 under managers Don Zimmer (1977-1980), Johnny Pesky (1980), and Ralph Houk (1981).
• Bobby Doerr spent three seasons as a Boston Red Sox coach and later was the first hitting coach of the expansion Toronto Blue Jays

Transactions

• November 22, 1935: Purchased by the Boston Red Sox from the Hollywood (PCL) for $75,000.

External Links

• Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
• Bobby Doerr - National Baseball Hall of Fame
• Bobby Doerr Interview by SOSH member MaurySABR