Albie Pearson
Encyclopedia
Albert Gregory Pearson is a former center fielder
in Major League Baseball
who played with the Washington Senators (1958–59), Baltimore Orioles
(1959–60) and Los Angeles/California Angels
(1961–66). One of the smallest MLB players of his era, he stood 5 in 5 in (1.65 m) tall, weighed 140 pounds (63.5 kg), and batted and threw left-handed. At the time of his rookie season with the Senators, Pearson was the shortest player in Major League Baseball
.
baseball team and played halfback
for the football team. Following a year at Pomona Junior College
, Pearson was signed by the Boston Red Sox
as an amateur free agent
in 1953. Following his signing, which amounted to little else besides two pair of cleats, a new suitcase, and a promise of making $225 a month if he made the team, Pearson was assigned to the San Jose Red Sox
of the Class-C California League
, where he hit .334 in 125 games. Although signed as a pitcher, Pearson was converted to the outfield (after filling in on an emergency capacity and getting 8 hits in his first two games) and would rarely see time on the mound during his minor league career. Promoted to single-A Albany Senators in the Eastern League
in 1954, he hit .269 and earned a two-game promotion to play for the AAA Louisville Colonels
. Person would spend 1955 back at single-A, this time hitting .305 for the Montgomery Rebels
in the Eastern League
. He split 1956 between the San Francisco Seals
in the open Pacific Coast League
and the Oklahoma City Indians
in the AA Texas League
, but blistered the ball throughout the season and finished the season hitting a combined .358 with 7 home runs, 46 RBI, 6 triples, and 36 doubles with 91 walks and only 41 strikeouts in 153 games, winning the Texas League batting championship. Pearson was back with the Seals in 1957 and continued to hit, hitting .297 with 5 HR, 50 RBI, 11 triples, and 22 doubles. On January 23, 1958, he was sent with Norm Zauchin
to the Senators in the same trade that brought infielder Pete Runnels
to the Red Sox.
In Pearson won both the MLB Rookie of the Year
and the TSN Rookie of the Year
awards in the American League
. However, Pearson got off to a rough start to the 1959 season and after hitting only .188 over the first 25 games with no home runs and only 2 RBI, he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles
for fellow center fielder Lenny Green
. His 1960 season wasn't a big improvement over the previous year as Pearson only saw action in 48 games for the Orioles.
When baseball owners approved the addition of the Los Angeles Angels during their meeting in October 1960, he was selected by the new franchise in the expansion draft
as the 30th and last pick. With the change of scenery back in his native California and on the expansion Angels, Pearson turned around his career. In the team's inaugural game, Pearson scored the franchise's first run, in a 7-0 win over the Orioles, and hit .288 with 7 home runs, 41 RBI, and 92 runs for the season. Pearson enjoyed his best season in , when he posted career-highs in runs batted in
(47), hits
(173), stolen base
s (17) and games played
(160); led the AL in singles
(161), and made the All-Star
team. His .305 batting average
(also a career-high), ranked him fourth in the batting crown race behind Carl Yastrzemski
(.321), Al Kaline
(.312) and Rich Rollins
(.307). However, recurring back problems restricted his career and he was forced to retire after the 1966 season.
In a nine-year career, Pearson was a .270 hitter with 28 home run
s and 214 RBI in 988 games. In addition, he compiled a 2.45 walk-to-strikeout ratio
(477-to-195) and a .369 on base percentage
.
youth foundation, which focused on helping children stay off drugs, founded a non-profit organization providing training for pastors and ministers, and set up churches and orphanages in Ecuador
and Zambia
.
In 2002, Pearson and his wife of 45 years founded Father's Heart Ranch in Desert Hot Springs, California
, an 11 acres (44,515.5 m²) home for abused, neglected and abandoned 6-12 year old boys. The Pearson's Father's Heart International foundation every week feeds about 4,000 Zambian children who have lost their parents to AIDS.
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played with the Washington Senators (1958–59), Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
(1959–60) and Los Angeles/California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
(1961–66). One of the smallest MLB players of his era, he stood 5 in 5 in (1.65 m) tall, weighed 140 pounds (63.5 kg), and batted and threw left-handed. At the time of his rookie season with the Senators, Pearson was the shortest player in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Baseball career
Growing up, Pearson both pitched for the El Monte High SchoolEl Monte High School
El Monte High School, located in El Monte, California, is a high school of the El Monte Union High School District. It is one of the oldest high schools in the San Gabriel Valley. Founded in 1901, it began operation in a single, upstairs classroom in the old Lexington Avenue Grammar School, with an...
baseball team and played halfback
Halfback (American football)
A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive...
for the football team. Following a year at Pomona Junior College
Pomona College
Pomona College is a private, residential, liberal arts college in Claremont, California. Founded in 1887 in Pomona, California by a group of Congregationalists, the college moved to Claremont in 1889 to the site of a hotel, retaining its name. The school enrolls 1,548 students.The founding member...
, Pearson was signed by the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
as an amateur free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
in 1953. Following his signing, which amounted to little else besides two pair of cleats, a new suitcase, and a promise of making $225 a month if he made the team, Pearson was assigned to the San Jose Red Sox
San Jose Red Sox
The San Jose Red Sox were a Boston Red Sox affiliate from 1947 to 1955, located in San Jose, California. They competed in the California League and they played at San Jose Municipal Stadium.-Year-by-year record:...
of the Class-C California League
California League
The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
, where he hit .334 in 125 games. Although signed as a pitcher, Pearson was converted to the outfield (after filling in on an emergency capacity and getting 8 hits in his first two games) and would rarely see time on the mound during his minor league career. Promoted to single-A Albany Senators in the Eastern League
Eastern League
Eastern League may refer to:*Eastern League , a professional baseball minor league in the United States*International League, a baseball minor league known as the Eastern League from 1884 to 1912...
in 1954, he hit .269 and earned a two-game promotion to play for the AAA Louisville Colonels
Louisville Colonels
The Louisville Colonels were a Major League Baseball team that played in the American Association throughout that league's ten-year existence from 1882 until 1891, first as the Louisville Eclipse and later as the Louisville Colonels , the latter name derived from the historic Kentucky colonels...
. Person would spend 1955 back at single-A, this time hitting .305 for the Montgomery Rebels
Montgomery Rebels
The Montgomery Rebels was the name of an American minor league baseball franchise representing Montgomery, Alabama, that played in various leagues between and...
in the Eastern League
Eastern League
Eastern League may refer to:*Eastern League , a professional baseball minor league in the United States*International League, a baseball minor league known as the Eastern League from 1884 to 1912...
. He split 1956 between the San Francisco Seals
San Francisco Seals
San Francisco Seals can refer to:*San Francisco Seals , a Pacific Coast League team from 1903–1957*San Francisco Seals , a Western Hockey League team from 1961–1967 that entered the National Hockey League in the fall of 1967, as the California Seals*San Francisco Seals , also known as the San...
in the open Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
and the Oklahoma City Indians
Oklahoma City Indians
The Oklahoma City Indians were an American minor league baseball franchise representing Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, that played in the Texas League in 1909, 1933-42 and from 1946-57, and in the Western League from 1918-32...
in the AA Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
, but blistered the ball throughout the season and finished the season hitting a combined .358 with 7 home runs, 46 RBI, 6 triples, and 36 doubles with 91 walks and only 41 strikeouts in 153 games, winning the Texas League batting championship. Pearson was back with the Seals in 1957 and continued to hit, hitting .297 with 5 HR, 50 RBI, 11 triples, and 22 doubles. On January 23, 1958, he was sent with Norm Zauchin
Norm Zauchin
Norbert Henry Zauchin was a first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox and Washington Senators . He batted and threw right-handed...
to the Senators in the same trade that brought infielder Pete Runnels
Pete Runnels
James Edward "Pete" Runnels was a Major League Baseball infielder who played for the Washington Senators , Boston Red Sox and Houston Colt .45s . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed....
to the Red Sox.
In Pearson won both the MLB Rookie of the Year
MLB Rookie of the Year Award
In Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is annually given to one player from each league as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America . The award was established in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA, which selected an annual winner from 1940 through 1946...
and the TSN Rookie of the Year
The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award
The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award was established in 1946 by The Sporting News .*In 1947-48, and again in 1950, a single award was given for all of Major League Baseball....
awards in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
. However, Pearson got off to a rough start to the 1959 season and after hitting only .188 over the first 25 games with no home runs and only 2 RBI, he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
for fellow center fielder Lenny Green
Lenny Green
Leonard Charles Green is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Baltimore Orioles , Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Los Angeles Angels , Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers . He batted and threw left-handed...
. His 1960 season wasn't a big improvement over the previous year as Pearson only saw action in 48 games for the Orioles.
When baseball owners approved the addition of the Los Angeles Angels during their meeting in October 1960, he was selected by the new franchise in the expansion draft
1960 MLB expansion draft
The 1960 MLB Expansion Draft was held by Major League Baseball on December 14, 1960 to fill the rosters of the Los Angeles Angels and the Washington Senators...
as the 30th and last pick. With the change of scenery back in his native California and on the expansion Angels, Pearson turned around his career. In the team's inaugural game, Pearson scored the franchise's first run, in a 7-0 win over the Orioles, and hit .288 with 7 home runs, 41 RBI, and 92 runs for the season. Pearson enjoyed his best season in , when he posted career-highs in runs batted in
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
(47), hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
(173), stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s (17) and games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
(160); led the AL in singles
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
(161), and made the All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
team. His .305 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
(also a career-high), ranked him fourth in the batting crown race behind Carl Yastrzemski
Carl Yastrzemski
Carl Michael Yastrzemski is a former American Major League Baseball left fielder and first baseman. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. Yastrzemski played his entire 23-year baseball career with the Boston Red Sox . He was primarily a left fielder, with part of his later career...
(.321), Al Kaline
Al Kaline
Albert William "Al" Kaline is a former Major League Baseball right fielder. He is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Kaline played his entire 22-year baseball career with the Detroit Tigers. Kaline still works for the Tigers as a front office official. Because of his lengthy career and...
(.312) and Rich Rollins
Rich Rollins
Richard John Rollins is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman. He played with the Minnesota Twins , Seattle Pilots , Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Indians...
(.307). However, recurring back problems restricted his career and he was forced to retire after the 1966 season.
In a nine-year career, Pearson was a .270 hitter with 28 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 214 RBI in 988 games. In addition, he compiled a 2.45 walk-to-strikeout ratio
Walk-to-strikeout ratio
In baseball statistics, walk-to-strikeout ratio is a measure of a hitter's plate discipline and knowledge of the strike zone. Generally, a hitter with a good walk-to-strikeout ratio must exhibit enough patience at the plate to refrain from swinging at bad pitches and take a base on balls, but he...
(477-to-195) and a .369 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
.
Retirement
Pearson married wife Helen in 1953 and has five daughters, 17 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren (as of April 2011). Off the field, Pearson is an ordained minister. In the 1960s, Pearson started a RiversideRiverside, California
Riverside is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, and the county seat of the eponymous county. Named for its location beside the Santa Ana River, it is the largest city in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area of Southern California, 4th largest inland California...
youth foundation, which focused on helping children stay off drugs, founded a non-profit organization providing training for pastors and ministers, and set up churches and orphanages in Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
and Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
.
In 2002, Pearson and his wife of 45 years founded Father's Heart Ranch in Desert Hot Springs, California
Desert Hot Springs, California
Desert Hot Springs, also known as DHS, is a city in Riverside County, California, United States. The city is located within the Coachella Valley geographic region, sometimes referred to as the Desert Empire. The population was 25,938 at the 2010 census, up from 16,582 at the 2000 United States...
, an 11 acres (44,515.5 m²) home for abused, neglected and abandoned 6-12 year old boys. The Pearson's Father's Heart International foundation every week feeds about 4,000 Zambian children who have lost their parents to AIDS.