Andy Anderson (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Andy Holm Anderson was a professional baseball
player whose career spanned 10 seasons, including two in Major League Baseball
with the St. Louis Browns (1948–1949).
Over his major league career, Anderson compiled a batting average
of .184 with 23 runs
, 41 hits
, eight doubles
, one triple
, two home run
s and 17 runs batted in (RBIs) in 122 games played
. Anderson also played in the minor leagues
with the Class-D Paragould Browns (1941), the Class-B Springfield Browns (1942), the Double-A San Antonio Missions
(1946–1947, 1950–1951), the Class-B Longview Cherokees
(1952), the open-class Los Angeles Angels
(1952), the Class-A Spokane Indians
(1953) and the Class-A Yakima Bears
(1953). Anderson also served in the United States Army
during World War II
. During his service, he was captured by German
soldiers and held as a prisoner of war
. He was later freed and resumed his baseball career.
. He attended Silverdale High School and after graduation, was signed by St. Louis Browns scout Jack Fournier
. In 1941, Anderson began his professional career with the Class-D Paragould Browns of the Northeast Arkansas League
. He batted
.259 with 112 hits
, 15 doubles
, five triples
and one home run
in 114 games played
. On defense, Anderson played 64 games at shortstop
, committing 24 errors
in 252 total chances
. During the 1942 season, Anderson played with the Springfield Browns of the Class-B Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League. In 109 games played that season, he batted .302 with 111 hits, 19 doubles, seven triples and 14 home runs. In the field
, Anderson played 108 games at second base, committing 37 errors in 547 total chances. Amongst Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League batters, Anderson was fourth in home runs, behind Ducky Detweiler
with 16 home runs, Tom Jordan
with 22 home runs and Pat Seerey
with 33 home runs.
. Although out of the professional circuit, Anderson did play amateur baseball in his home state of Washington before deploying
. Holding the rank of Private First Class
, Anderson fought in Europe
during World War II
. On November 21, 1944, Anderson was captured by German
soldiers and was held as a prisoner of war
at Stalag IX-B
in Bad Orb
, Germany. Anderson, whose weight had dropped from 185 pounds (83.9 kg) to 125 pounds (56.7 kg), was rescued on May 4, 1945. To rehabilitate, Anderson was sent to Santa Barbara, California
. Jack Fournier, the scout who originally signed Anderson, visited him when he was in Santa Barbra and told him that when he was ready, he could resume his job in the Browns organization.
of the Double-A Texas League
. With San Antonio that season, Anderson batted .246 with 126 hits, 24 doubles, three doubles and one home run in 142 games played. On defense, Anderson played shortstop and second base. He continued playing with San Antonio in 1947, playing in 147 games that season. In those games, Anderson batted .250 with 138 hits, 20 doubles and six home runs. Anderson again played both shortstop and second base in the field.
Anderson joined the St. Louis Browns during spring training
in 1948, making the team going into regular season as a back-up infielder
. Anderson made his Major League Baseball
debut on May 10, 1948 against the Washington Senators
, going hitless in one at-bat. His first major league hit came on May 19, against the New York Yankees
. Against the Philadelphia Athletics on June 11, Anderson hit his first major league home run. During the 1948 season, Anderson batted .276 with 13 runs
, 24 hits, five doubles, one triple, one home run and 12 runs batted in (RBIs) in 51 games played. On defense, Anderson played 21 games at second base, 10 games at shortstop and two games at first base. In 1949, Anderson again made the Browns major league roster. That season, he batted .125 with 10 runs, 17 hits, three doubles, one home run and five RBIs in 71 games played. In the field, Anderson played 44 games at shortstop, eight games at second base and eight games at third base
.
. With the Cherokees, who played in the Big State League
, Anderson batted .284 with 19 hits and five doubles in 20 games played. Anderson played 10 games with the Angeles, who were members of the Pacific Coast League
and affiliated with the Chicago Cubs
, he batted .227 with one run, five hits and one double. Anderson played with two teams in the 1954 season, the Class-A Spokane Indians
and the Class-A Yakima Bears
, both of the Western International League
. Combined between the two teams, Anderson batted .234 with 71 hits, 12 doubles and one home run in 88 games played. In all of his 65 games in the field, Anderson played second base. That season would prove to be Anderson's last in professional baseball.
. He died on July 18, 1982 in Seattle, Washington
and was buried at Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park
.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player whose career spanned 10 seasons, including two 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...
with the St. Louis Browns (1948–1949).
Over his major league career, Anderson compiled a 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 :...
of .184 with 23 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, 41 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....
, eight doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, one triple
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, two 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 17 runs batted in (RBIs) in 122 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,...
. Anderson also played in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
with the Class-D Paragould Browns (1941), the Class-B Springfield Browns (1942), the Double-A San Antonio Missions
San Antonio Missions
The San Antonio Missions are a minor league baseball team based in San Antonio, Texas. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres major-league club. The Missions play in Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium, located in San Antonio...
(1946–1947, 1950–1951), the Class-B Longview Cherokees
Longview Cherokees
The Longview Cherokees were a Big State League baseball team based in Longview, Texas that existed in 1952. They went 71-76 in their only year of existence.Clem Hausmann and Andy Anderson played for them....
(1952), the open-class Los Angeles Angels
Los Angeles Angels (PCL)
The Los Angeles Angels were a team based in Los Angeles, California that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903 through 1957, after which they transferred to Spokane, Washington to become the Spokane Indians. Los Angeles would later become the host city to a Major League Baseball team, the...
(1952), the Class-A Spokane Indians
Spokane Indians
The Spokane Indians are a minor league baseball team located in Spokane, Washington, United States. They are a Short-Season A classification team in the Northwest League and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2003. The Indians play home games at Avista Stadium...
(1953) and the Class-A Yakima Bears
Yakima Bears
The Yakima Bears are a minor league baseball team in Yakima, Washington. They are a Short-Season A classification team in the Northwest League and have been a farm team of the Arizona Diamondbacks since 2001, formerly with the Los Angeles Dodgers from the team's creation in 1990 when the Salem...
(1953). Anderson also served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. During his service, he was captured by German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
soldiers and held as a prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
. He was later freed and resumed his baseball career.
Early career
Anderson was born on November 13, 1922 on Bremerton, WashingtonBremerton, Washington
Bremerton is a city in Kitsap County, Washington, United States. The population was 38,790 at the 2011 State Estimate, making it the largest city on the Olympic Peninsula. Bremerton is home to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and the Bremerton Annex of Naval Base Kitsap...
. He attended Silverdale High School and after graduation, was signed by St. Louis Browns scout Jack Fournier
Jack Fournier
John Frank "Jack" Fournier was a first baseman in Major League Baseball. He played for the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, St...
. In 1941, Anderson began his professional career with the Class-D Paragould Browns of the Northeast Arkansas League
Northeast Arkansas League
The Northeast Arkansas League was the name used by a pair of American minor league baseball leagues. The first of these started operations in 1909 and continued through 1911. The second version began operations for the 1936 season. It continued through the 1941 season.-1909:The teams from...
. He batted
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 :...
.259 with 112 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....
, 15 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, five triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and one 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...
in 114 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,...
. On defense, Anderson played 64 games at shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
, committing 24 errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in 252 total chances
Total chances
In baseball statistics, total chances , also called chances offered, represents the number of plays in which a defensive player has participated. It is calculated as follows: Total Chances = assists + putouts + errors. Chances accepted refers to the total of putouts and assists only. Fielding...
. During the 1942 season, Anderson played with the Springfield Browns of the Class-B Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League. In 109 games played that season, he batted .302 with 111 hits, 19 doubles, seven triples and 14 home runs. In the field
Baseball field
A baseball field, also called a ball field or a baseball diamond, is the field upon which the game of baseball is played. The terms "baseball field" and "ball field" are also often used as synonyms for ballpark.-Specifications:...
, Anderson played 108 games at second base, committing 37 errors in 547 total chances. Amongst Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League batters, Anderson was fourth in home runs, behind Ducky Detweiler
Ducky Detweiler
Robert Slerling "Ducky" Detweiler is a former Major League Baseball player. Detweiler played for the Boston Braves in , and again for one game in . He batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Trumbauersville, Pennsylvania....
with 16 home runs, Tom Jordan
Tom Jordan (baseball)
Thomas Jefferson Jordan is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for three seasons. He played for the Chicago White Sox in 1944 and 1946, the Cleveland Indians in 1946, and the St. Louis Browns in 1948. He was born in Lawton, Oklahoma.-External links:...
with 22 home runs and Pat Seerey
Pat Seerey
James Patrick Seerey was an American outfielder and right-handed batter in Major League Baseball. He played for the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago White Sox....
with 33 home runs.
World War II
On November 28, 1942, Anderson entered service in the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. Although out of the professional circuit, Anderson did play amateur baseball in his home state of Washington before deploying
Military deployment
Military deployment is the movement of armed forces and their logistical support infrastructure around the world.-United States:The United States Military defines the term as follows:...
. Holding the rank of Private First Class
Private First Class
Private First Class is a military rank held by junior enlisted persons.- Singapore :The rank of Private First Class in the Singapore Armed Forces lies between the ranks of Private and Lance-Corporal . It is usually held by conscript soldiers midway through their national service term...
, Anderson fought in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. On November 21, 1944, Anderson was captured by German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
soldiers and was held as a prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
at Stalag IX-B
Stalag IX-B
Stalag IX-B also known as Bad Orb was a World War II German Army POW camp at Wegscheide close to Bad Orb in the province of Hesse, Germany...
in Bad Orb
Bad Orb
Bad Orb is a spa town in the Main-Kinzig district, in Hesse, Germany. It is situated 32 east km of Hanau. Bad Orb is between forested hills in the Nature Park Spessart, one of the largest forested areas in Germany. The canyon-side donkey path that runs to Großheubach in Miltenberg Kreis passes Bad...
, Germany. Anderson, whose weight had dropped from 185 pounds (83.9 kg) to 125 pounds (56.7 kg), was rescued on May 4, 1945. To rehabilitate, Anderson was sent to Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
. Jack Fournier, the scout who originally signed Anderson, visited him when he was in Santa Barbra and told him that when he was ready, he could resume his job in the Browns organization.
Return to baseball
In 1946, a year after being rescued from a German prisoner of war camp, Anderson returned to the St. Louis Browns organization with the San Antonio MissionsSan Antonio Missions
The San Antonio Missions are a minor league baseball team based in San Antonio, Texas. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres major-league club. The Missions play in Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium, located in San Antonio...
of the Double-A 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...
. With San Antonio that season, Anderson batted .246 with 126 hits, 24 doubles, three doubles and one home run in 142 games played. On defense, Anderson played shortstop and second base. He continued playing with San Antonio in 1947, playing in 147 games that season. In those games, Anderson batted .250 with 138 hits, 20 doubles and six home runs. Anderson again played both shortstop and second base in the field.
Anderson joined the St. Louis Browns during spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
in 1948, making the team going into regular season as a back-up infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
. Anderson made his 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...
debut on May 10, 1948 against the Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, going hitless in one at-bat. His first major league hit came on May 19, against the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. Against the Philadelphia Athletics on June 11, Anderson hit his first major league home run. During the 1948 season, Anderson batted .276 with 13 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, 24 hits, five doubles, one triple, one home run and 12 runs batted in (RBIs) in 51 games played. On defense, Anderson played 21 games at second base, 10 games at shortstop and two games at first base. In 1949, Anderson again made the Browns major league roster. That season, he batted .125 with 10 runs, 17 hits, three doubles, one home run and five RBIs in 71 games played. In the field, Anderson played 44 games at shortstop, eight games at second base and eight games at third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
.
Later career
In 1950, Anderson returned to the minor league and spent the season with the Double-A San Antonio Missions. He played 90 games that season, and batted .247 with 66 hits, nine double and five home runs. Anderson played third base and second base with the Missions that season. During the 1951 season, Anderson played just three games with the Missions, getting no hits. In those games, Anderson played shortstop. Anderson split the 1953 season with the Class-B Longview Cherokees and the open-class Los Angeles AngelsLos Angeles Angels (PCL)
The Los Angeles Angels were a team based in Los Angeles, California that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903 through 1957, after which they transferred to Spokane, Washington to become the Spokane Indians. Los Angeles would later become the host city to a Major League Baseball team, the...
. With the Cherokees, who played in the Big State League
Big State League
The Big State League was a mid-level, Class B circuit in American minor league baseball that played for 11 seasons, from 1947 through 1957. Its member clubs were exclusively based in Texas. It saw a lot of transition in its 11-year lifetime, with no team serving as a member in every single season....
, Anderson batted .284 with 19 hits and five doubles in 20 games played. Anderson played 10 games with the Angeles, who were members of the 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 affiliated with the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, he batted .227 with one run, five hits and one double. Anderson played with two teams in the 1954 season, the Class-A Spokane Indians
Spokane Indians
The Spokane Indians are a minor league baseball team located in Spokane, Washington, United States. They are a Short-Season A classification team in the Northwest League and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2003. The Indians play home games at Avista Stadium...
and the Class-A Yakima Bears
Yakima Bears
The Yakima Bears are a minor league baseball team in Yakima, Washington. They are a Short-Season A classification team in the Northwest League and have been a farm team of the Arizona Diamondbacks since 2001, formerly with the Los Angeles Dodgers from the team's creation in 1990 when the Salem...
, both of the Western International League
Western International League
The Western International League was a mid- to higher-level circuit in American and Canadian minor league baseball. It operated in 1923, 1937-42, and 1946-54. In 1955, it changed its name to the Northwest League, and still operates today as a Short Season A loop under that name.The WIL consisted of...
. Combined between the two teams, Anderson batted .234 with 71 hits, 12 doubles and one home run in 88 games played. In all of his 65 games in the field, Anderson played second base. That season would prove to be Anderson's last in professional baseball.
Personal
Anderson was born on November 13, 1922 in Bremerton, WashingtonBremerton, Washington
Bremerton is a city in Kitsap County, Washington, United States. The population was 38,790 at the 2011 State Estimate, making it the largest city on the Olympic Peninsula. Bremerton is home to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and the Bremerton Annex of Naval Base Kitsap...
. He died on July 18, 1982 in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
and was buried at Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park
Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park
Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park originated in 1885. It is located on both sides of Aurora Avenue in Seattle, Washington, and occupies roughly . It is the largest cemetery in Seattle.-History:...
.