Birdie Tebbetts
Encyclopedia
George Robert "Birdie" Tebbetts (November 10, 1912 – March 24, 1999) was an American
professional
baseball
player, manager
, scout
and front office executive. He played in Major League Baseball
as a catcher
for the Detroit Tigers
, Boston Red Sox
and the Cleveland Indians
from to . Tebbets was regarded as the best catcher in the American League
in the late 1940s.
Although he lacked speed and wasn't a powerful hitter, Tebbetts was an exceptional defensive catcher and intelligent player who capably directed his pitchers. These traits served him well later in his career as he became the manager for the Cincinnati Reds
, Milwaukee Braves
and the Cleveland Indians
. His major league career encompassed 14 years as a catcher, 11 as a manager and 28 as a scout.
but, his family moved to Nashua, New Hampshire
a few months after he was born. Shortly thereafter, his father died, leaving his mother to raise the family. Some reports state that he acquired his nickname as a boy after an aunt observed that his voice sounded like a bird chirping while, other reports state the nickname was acquired while attending Providence College
. Tebbetts was a star athlete at Nashua High School where he attained All-State status as a football quarterback and as a baseball catcher. He signed a contract with the Detroit Tigers after they agreed to pay his college tuition. He attended Providence College where he became an All-American in baseball before graduating with a degree in philosophy in 1934.
from the Philadelphia Athletics in December leaving no place for Tebbetts on the team. He spent the next three seasons playing in the minor leagues
before making his major league debut with the Tigers on September 16, 1936
at the age of 23. In the 1937
season, Cochrane's playing career came to an end when he was hit by a pitch and suffered a fractured skull. Rudy York
replaced Cochrane as the Tigers' catcher but, his defensive skills were so poor that by the 1939
season, new Tigers manager, Del Baker
gave Tebbetts a chance to play. He ended the season with a .261 batting average and led American League catchers in assists
and in baserunners caught stealing
.
In 1940
, York was converted into a first baseman
, leaving Tebbetts in sole possession of the catcher's position. He responded by posting a .296 batting average
as the Tigers defeated the Cleveland Indians
and the New York Yankees
in a tight pennant race to clinch the American League title. Tebbetts was held hitless in the 1940 World Series
as the Tigers lost to the Cincinnati Reds
in a seven-game series. He once again led American League catchers in assists and in baserunners caught stealing. In September, Tebbetts had been charged with assault and battery during a game in Cleveland when a basket of tomatoes was dropped on him by a Cleveland fan. As police held the fan, Tebbetts rushed up and struck him. The charges were later dismissed. He developed a reputation for antagonizing opposing players, constantly hectoring them in an effort to have them make mistakes and give his team an advantage.
In 1941
, Tebbetts was hitting for a .296 average by mid-season and earned a place as a reserve player for the American League in the 1941 All-Star Game
. He led American League catchers in assists for a third consecutive year. Tebbetts would be named the starting catcher for the American League in the 1942 All-Star Game
.
Despite holding a 3-A draft classification because his mother's dependency, Tebbetts applied for an Army Air Corps commission. He was assigned to recruiting duties during the Second World War. He lost three years of his baseball career to his military service.
After his discharge from the military, Tebbetts returned to play for the Tigers in 1946
, posting a .243 batting average in 86 games. He was hitting for only a .094 average in May 1947
when he was traded to the Boston Red Sox for catcher Hal Wagner
. After the trade, Tebbetts hit for a .299 average for the remainder of the season. There were reports in July 1947 that the Red Sox were considering Tebbetts as a successor to their manager, Joe Cronin
. He was hitting for a .286 average at mid-season in 1948
and was named as a reserve catcher for the American League in the 1948 All-Star Game
. The Red Sox finished the season in a first place tie with the Cleveland Indians
before losing the pennant in a one-game playoff
at Fenway Park
.
Tebbetts was elected to be the starting catcher for the American League in the 1949 All-Star Game
. He hit for a .270 average in 1949
as the Red Sox engaged the New York Yankees
in a tight battle for the pennant that wasn't decided until the final game of the season. The Red Sox had a one game lead with two games left to play in the season but, lost the final two games of the season against their New York rivals to once again finished in second place.
In 1950
, the thirty-seven year old Tebbetts shared catching duties with Matt Batts
as he posted a career-high .310 batting average in 84 games. The Red Sox were once again involved in a tight pennant race before faltering to finish in third place in the standings. At a public speaking engagement in October, Tebbetts defended Red Sox manager Steve O'Neill
from criticism he received from some of the Red Sox players. In his speech, Tebbetts called the critics,"a couple of juvenile delinquents and moronic malcontents." His comments created friction within the team and two months later, his contract was sold to the Cleveland Indians. He spent the final two seasons of his career as a back up for Jim Hegan
. Tebbetts played his final major league game on September 14, 1952
at the age of 38. In a news report in December 1952, Tebbetts admitted that his actual age was 43, saying that he subtracted five years off his age after he left college.
, accumulating 1,000 hits
in 3,704 at bats for a .270 career batting average along with 38 home runs, 469 runs batted in and an on base percentage of .341. He ended his career with a .978 fielding percentage
. A four-time All-Star, Tebbetts led American League catchers four times in range factor
, three times in assists, twice in baserunners caught stealing, and once in putout
s. Before the arrival of Hall of Fame catcher, Carlton Fisk
, Tebbetts was voted the Red Sox' all-time best catcher in a fan poll — a remarkable feat, considering that he only spent four years with the Red Sox.
, named Tebbetts as the manager of the Indianapolis Indians
. After guiding Indianapolis to a fourth-place finish in , Gabe Paul
, hired Tebbetts to replace Rogers Hornsby
as the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. After leading the Reds to fifth-place finishes in 1954 and 1955, Tebbetts led the team to a surprising third-place finish in 1956. The Reds were in first place at mid-season and stayed in the pennant race until the last day of the season, ending up with a 91-63 record, two games behind the Brooklyn Dodgers
. For his efforts, the Baseball Writers Association of America
voted Tebbetts as the Manager of the Year
. The Reds rewarded him with a three-year contract in December.
In 1957, Tebbetts had the Reds in first place at mid-season, earning him a place on the cover of Time Magazine in July of that year. The Reds faltered during the second half of the season and faded to finish in fourth place. Frank Robinson
gave Tebbetts credit for his performance during the 1957 season saying,"He kept after me all year and that's what a young ball player needs." In 1958, the Reds fell into last place and Tebbetts announced his resignation on August 14.
In October Tebbetts was hired as an executive vice president for the Milwaukee Braves. He served in the Braves front office from 1959
through September 1961
but found that he missed the excitement of being on the playing field. When the team fired Chuck Dressen
in September 1961, Tebbetts returned to managing for the last month of the season. Ironically, his former team, the Cincinnati Reds, would win the National League
pennant that year. Despite having talented players like Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews
, Joe Adcock
, Warren Spahn
, and Lew Burdette
, Tebbetts could only manage a fifth-place finish in 1962
.
In October , Tebbetts signed a three-year contract to manage the Cleveland Indians, saying that he felt he owed a long standing debt to new Indians General Manager, Gabe Paul. After managing the Indians to a fifth-place finish in 1963
, he suffered a heart attack
during spring training
in Tucson, Arizona on April 1, 1964
. Just three months later, he returned to manage the team. After a fifth place finish in 1965
, Tebbetts led the Indians to fourteen victories in their first fifteen games of the 1966
season but, then the team faltered and fell fifteen games out of first place before he resigned as manager in August.
In eleven seasons as a major league manager, Tebbetts compiled a 748-705 won-loss record. He returned to the minor leagues as a manager in , managing the Marion Mets
in the Appalachian League
. From to , Tebbetts scouted for the New York Mets
, New York Yankees
, Baltimore Orioles
and the Florida Marlins
. His baseball accuity earned him a reputation as one of the most respected scouts in professional baseball. Reggie Jackson
credited Tebbetts' scouting reports for helping him hit three home runs in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series
.
of the Baseball Hall of Fame in February . He received the Judge Emil Fuchs
Award in for his long and meritorious service in baseball.
Perhaps most revealing of Tebbetts's character is his recollection of an umpire who suffered dizzy spells following his return from the war. Afraid of losing his job, the umpire asked Tebbetts, then the Tigers catcher, to help calling balls and strikes, and Tebbetts tipped him off with hand signals following each pitch.
Birdie Tebbetts died on March 24, in Bradenton, Florida
, at age of 86. On May 28, 2009, Birdie was announced as a Local Legend of Nashua, New Hampshire, and commemorated with a plaque to be placed in Holman Stadium
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional
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....
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player, manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
, scout
Scout (sport)
In professional sports, scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scout's organization...
and front office executive. He played 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...
as a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, 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"...
and the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
from to . Tebbets was regarded as the best catcher 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...
in the late 1940s.
Although he lacked speed and wasn't a powerful hitter, Tebbetts was an exceptional defensive catcher and intelligent player who capably directed his pitchers. These traits served him well later in his career as he became the manager for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, Milwaukee Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
and the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. His major league career encompassed 14 years as a catcher, 11 as a manager and 28 as a scout.
Early life
Tebbetts was born in Burlington, VermontBurlington, Vermont
Burlington is the largest city in the U.S. state of Vermont and the shire town of Chittenden County. Burlington lies south of the U.S.-Canadian border and some south of Montreal....
but, his family moved to Nashua, New Hampshire
Nashua, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 86,494 people, 35,044 households, and 21,876 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,719.9 people per square mile . There were 37,168 housing units at an average density of 1,202.8 per square mile...
a few months after he was born. Shortly thereafter, his father died, leaving his mother to raise the family. Some reports state that he acquired his nickname as a boy after an aunt observed that his voice sounded like a bird chirping while, other reports state the nickname was acquired while attending Providence College
Providence College
Providence College is a private, coeducational, Catholic university located about two miles west of downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States, the state's capital city. With a 2010–2011 enrollment of 3,850 undergraduate students and 735 graduate students, the College specializes in academic...
. Tebbetts was a star athlete at Nashua High School where he attained All-State status as a football quarterback and as a baseball catcher. He signed a contract with the Detroit Tigers after they agreed to pay his college tuition. He attended Providence College where he became an All-American in baseball before graduating with a degree in philosophy in 1934.
Baseball career
The Tigers purchased future Hall of Fame catcher Mickey CochraneMickey Cochrane
Gordon Stanley "Mickey" Cochrane was a professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers...
from the Philadelphia Athletics in December leaving no place for Tebbetts on the team. He spent the next three seasons playing 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...
before making his major league debut with the Tigers on September 16, 1936
1936 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished second in the American League with a record of 83-71, 19½ games behind the New York Yankees.- Offseason :...
at the age of 23. In the 1937
1937 Detroit Tigers season
The 1937 Detroit Tigers finished in second place in the American League with a record of 89-65. The team finished 13 games behind the New York Yankees. Their winning percentage of .578 ranks as the 15th best season in Detroit Tigers history....
season, Cochrane's playing career came to an end when he was hit by a pitch and suffered a fractured skull. Rudy York
Rudy York
Preston Rudolph York was a Major League Baseball first baseman who played for the Detroit Tigers , Boston Red Sox , Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Athletics . York was born in Ragland, Alabama...
replaced Cochrane as the Tigers' catcher but, his defensive skills were so poor that by the 1939
1939 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fourth in the American League with a record of 84-70, 16 games behind the New York Yankees.- Notable transactions :...
season, new Tigers manager, Del Baker
Del Baker
Delmer David Baker was an American catcher, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. As a manager, he led the 1940 Detroit Tigers to the American League pennant...
gave Tebbetts a chance to play. He ended the season with a .261 batting average and led American League catchers in assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
and in baserunners caught stealing
Caught stealing
In baseball, a runner is charged, and the fielders involved are credited, with a time caught stealing when the runner attempts to advance or lead off from one base to another without the ball being batted and then is tagged out by a fielder while making the attempt...
.
In 1940
1940 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was their 40th since they entered the American League in . The team won the American League pennant with a record of 90-64, finishing just one game ahead of the Cleveland Indians and just two games ahead of the New York Yankees. It was the sixth American League pennant...
, York was converted into a first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
, leaving Tebbetts in sole possession of the catcher's position. He responded by posting a .296 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 :...
as the Tigers defeated the Cleveland Indians
1940 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished second in the American League with a record of 89-65, just one game behind the Detroit Tigers.- Regular season :...
and the New York Yankees
1940 New York Yankees season
The 1940 New York Yankees season was the team's 38th season in New York and its 40th overall. The team finished in third place with a record of 88-66, finishing two games behind the American League champion Detroit Tigers and one game behind the second-place Cleveland Indians. New York was managed...
in a tight pennant race to clinch the American League title. Tebbetts was held hitless in the 1940 World Series
1940 World Series
The 1940 World Series matched the Cincinnati Reds against the Detroit Tigers, with the Reds winning the Series in seven games for their second championship, their first since the scandal-tainted victory in...
as the Tigers lost to the Cincinnati Reds
1940 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. The team finished first in the National League with a record of 100-53, winning the pennant by 12 games over the Brooklyn Dodgers...
in a seven-game series. He once again led American League catchers in assists and in baserunners caught stealing. In September, Tebbetts had been charged with assault and battery during a game in Cleveland when a basket of tomatoes was dropped on him by a Cleveland fan. As police held the fan, Tebbetts rushed up and struck him. The charges were later dismissed. He developed a reputation for antagonizing opposing players, constantly hectoring them in an effort to have them make mistakes and give his team an advantage.
In 1941
1941 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished tied for fourth in the American League with a record of 75-79, 26 games behind the New York Yankees.- Notable transactions :...
, Tebbetts was hitting for a .296 average by mid-season and earned a place as a reserve player for the American League in the 1941 All-Star Game
1941 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1941 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the ninth playing of the mid-summer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball...
. He led American League catchers in assists for a third consecutive year. Tebbetts would be named the starting catcher for the American League in the 1942 All-Star Game
1942 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1942 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 10th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 6, 1942, at Polo Grounds in New York, New York the home of the...
.
Despite holding a 3-A draft classification because his mother's dependency, Tebbetts applied for an Army Air Corps commission. He was assigned to recruiting duties during the Second World War. He lost three years of his baseball career to his military service.
After his discharge from the military, Tebbetts returned to play for the Tigers in 1946
1946 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers finished the season with a record of 92-62, twelve games behind the Boston Red Sox. The season was their 46th since they entered the American League in 1901.- Regular season :...
, posting a .243 batting average in 86 games. He was hitting for only a .094 average in May 1947
1947 Boston Red Sox season
The 1947 Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing 3rd in the American League with a record of 83 wins and 71 losses.- Offseason :* November 1, 1946: Virgil Stallcup drafted from the Red Sox by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1946 rule 5 draft....
when he was traded to the Boston Red Sox for catcher Hal Wagner
Hal Wagner
Harold Edward Wagner , is a former professional baseball player who played catcher in the Major Leagues from 1937-1949. He would play for the Philadelphia Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Boston Red Sox.-External links:...
. After the trade, Tebbetts hit for a .299 average for the remainder of the season. There were reports in July 1947 that the Red Sox were considering Tebbetts as a successor to their manager, Joe Cronin
Joe Cronin
Joseph Edward Cronin was a Major League Baseball shortstop and manager.During a 20-year playing career, he played from 1926–45 for three different teams, primarily for the Boston Red Sox. Cronin was a major league manager from 1933–47...
. He was hitting for a .286 average at mid-season in 1948
1948 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing second in the American League with a record of 96 wins and 59 losses.- Offseason :...
and was named as a reserve catcher for the American League in the 1948 All-Star Game
1948 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1948 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 15th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 13, 1948, at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, Missouri the home of...
. The Red Sox finished the season in a first place tie with the Cleveland Indians
1948 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team won a one-game playoff against the Boston Red Sox and would then go onto win their second World Series in franchise history, its first in 28 years.-Off-season:...
before losing the pennant in a one-game playoff
1948 American League tie-breaker game
The 1948 American League tie-breaker game was a one-game playoff for Major League Baseball's American League conference. The game took place on October 4, 1948, between the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. It was necessary after both teams finished the season with records of...
at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
.
Tebbetts was elected to be the starting catcher for the American League in the 1949 All-Star Game
1949 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1949 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 16th annual midseason exhibition game between the all-stars of Major League Baseball's American and National Leagues. The American League continued its early dominance of the Midsummer Classic with an 11-7 win at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. The...
. He hit for a .270 average in 1949
1949 Boston Red Sox season
The 1949 Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing second in the American League with a record of 96 wins and 58 losses.- Regular season :...
as the Red Sox engaged the New York Yankees
1949 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the team's 47th season in New York, and its 49th season overall. The team finished with a record of 97-57, winning their 16th pennant, finishing 1 game ahead of the Boston Red Sox. New York was managed by Casey Stengel. The Yankees played their home games at Yankee...
in a tight battle for the pennant that wasn't decided until the final game of the season. The Red Sox had a one game lead with two games left to play in the season but, lost the final two games of the season against their New York rivals to once again finished in second place.
In 1950
1950 Boston Red Sox season
The 1950 Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing 3rd in the American League with a record of 94 wins and 60 losses.- Opening Day lineup :- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, the thirty-seven year old Tebbetts shared catching duties with Matt Batts
Matt Batts
Matthew Daniel Batts was a Major League Baseball catcher who played from through for the Boston Red Sox , St. Louis Browns , Detroit Tigers , Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds . Batts batted and threw right-handed...
as he posted a career-high .310 batting average in 84 games. The Red Sox were once again involved in a tight pennant race before faltering to finish in third place in the standings. At a public speaking engagement in October, Tebbetts defended Red Sox manager Steve O'Neill
Steve O'Neill
Stephen Francis O'Neill was an American catcher, manager, coach and scout in Major League Baseball.Born to Irish immigrants in Minooka, Pennsylvania , O'Neill was one of six brothers who escaped a life in the coal mines by playing in the major leagues...
from criticism he received from some of the Red Sox players. In his speech, Tebbetts called the critics,"a couple of juvenile delinquents and moronic malcontents." His comments created friction within the team and two months later, his contract was sold to the Cleveland Indians. He spent the final two seasons of his career as a back up for Jim Hegan
Jim Hegan
James Edward Hegan was an American professional baseball player, coach and scout. He played for seventeen seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball from to and from to , most notably for the Cleveland Indians. After his playing career was over, he became a coach and scout in a baseball...
. Tebbetts played his final major league game on September 14, 1952
1952 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished second in the American League with a record of 93-61, just two games behind the New York Yankees.- Notable transactions :...
at the age of 38. In a news report in December 1952, Tebbetts admitted that his actual age was 43, saying that he subtracted five years off his age after he left college.
Career statistics
In an fourteen-year major league career, Tebbetts played in 1,162 gamesGames 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,...
, accumulating 1,000 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....
in 3,704 at bats for a .270 career batting average along with 38 home runs, 469 runs batted in and an on base percentage of .341. He ended his career with a .978 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
. A four-time All-Star, Tebbetts led American League catchers four times in range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
, three times in assists, twice in baserunners caught stealing, and once in putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
s. Before the arrival of Hall of Fame catcher, Carlton Fisk
Carlton Fisk
Carlton Ernest Fisk , nicknamed "Pudge" or "The Commander", is a former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 24-year baseball career, he played for both the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox .Fisk was known by the nickname "Pudge" due to his 6'2", 220 lb frame...
, Tebbetts was voted the Red Sox' all-time best catcher in a fan poll — a remarkable feat, considering that he only spent four years with the Red Sox.
Managerial and executive career
In December 1952, the Indians General Manager, Hank GreenbergHank Greenberg
Henry Benjamin "Hank" Greenberg , nicknamed "Hammerin' Hank" or "The Hebrew Hammer," was an American professional baseball player in the 1930s and 1940s. A first baseman primarily for the Detroit Tigers, Greenberg was one of the premier power hitters of his generation...
, named Tebbetts as the manager of the Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
. After guiding Indianapolis to a fourth-place finish in , Gabe Paul
Gabe Paul
Gabriel Howard Paul was an American executive in Major League Baseball who served as general manager of three teams and, perhaps most famously, as president of the New York Yankees under George Steinbrenner during the 1970s....
, hired Tebbetts to replace Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby, Sr. , nicknamed "The Rajah", was an American baseball infielder, manager, and coach who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball . He played for the St. Louis Cardinals , New York Giants , Boston Braves , Chicago Cubs , and St. Louis Browns...
as the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. After leading the Reds to fifth-place finishes in 1954 and 1955, Tebbetts led the team to a surprising third-place finish in 1956. The Reds were in first place at mid-season and stayed in the pennant race until the last day of the season, ending up with a 91-63 record, two games behind the Brooklyn Dodgers
1956 Brooklyn Dodgers season
The 1956 Brooklyn Dodgers edged out the Milwaukee Braves to win the National League title. The Dodgers again faced the New York Yankees in the World Series...
. For his efforts, the Baseball Writers Association of America
Baseball Writers Association of America
The Baseball Writers' Association of America is a professional association for baseball journalists writing for daily newspapers, magazines and qualifying Web sites. The BBWAA was founded on October 14, 1908, to improve working conditions for sportswriters in the early part of the 20th century...
voted Tebbetts as the Manager of the Year
The Sporting News Manager of the Year Award
The Sporting News Manager of the Year Award was established in 1936 by The Sporting News and was given annually to one manager in Major League Baseball...
. The Reds rewarded him with a three-year contract in December.
In 1957, Tebbetts had the Reds in first place at mid-season, earning him a place on the cover of Time Magazine in July of that year. The Reds faltered during the second half of the season and faded to finish in fourth place. Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He played from 1956–1976, most notably for the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles. He is the only player to win league MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues...
gave Tebbetts credit for his performance during the 1957 season saying,"He kept after me all year and that's what a young ball player needs." In 1958, the Reds fell into last place and Tebbetts announced his resignation on August 14.
In October Tebbetts was hired as an executive vice president for the Milwaukee Braves. He served in the Braves front office from 1959
1959 Milwaukee Braves season
The 1959 Milwaukee Braves season was the seventh season for the franchise in Milwaukee and its 84th season overall. The Braves ended the National League regular season in a first-place tie with the Los Angeles Dodgers. With both clubs finishing with records of 86-68, a special best-of-three...
through September 1961
1961 Milwaukee Braves season
- Offseason :* October 14, 1960: Red Schoendienst was released by the Braves.* October 14, 1960: Stan Lopata was released by the Braves.* December 3, 1960: Billy Martin was purchased by the Braves from the Cincinnati Reds....
but found that he missed the excitement of being on the playing field. When the team fired Chuck Dressen
Chuck Dressen
Charles Walter Dressen , known as both "Chuck" and "Charlie," was an American third baseman, manager and coach in professional baseball during a career that lasted almost fifty years, and was best known as the manager of the powerful Brooklyn Dodgers of 1951–1953...
in September 1961, Tebbetts returned to managing for the last month of the season. Ironically, his former team, the Cincinnati Reds, would win the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
pennant that year. Despite having talented players like Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews
Eddie Mathews
Edwin Lee "Eddie" Mathews was an American Major League Baseball third baseman. He is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen ever to play the game.-Early life:...
, Joe Adcock
Joe Adcock
Joseph Wilbur "Billy Joe" Adcock was an American first baseman and right-handed batter in Major League Baseball, best known for his years with the powerful Milwaukee Braves teams of the 1950s, whose career included numerous home run feats...
, Warren Spahn
Warren Spahn
Warren Edward Spahn was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in the National League. He won 20 games each in 13 seasons, including a 23-7 record when he was age 42...
, and Lew Burdette
Lew Burdette
Selva Lewis Burdette, Jr. was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Boston and Milwaukee Braves...
, Tebbetts could only manage a fifth-place finish in 1962
1962 Milwaukee Braves season
- Offseason :* October 10, 1961: Merritt Ranew was drafted from the Braves by the Houston Colt .45s in the 1961 MLB expansion draft.* November 8, 1961: Ellis Burton and Lou Jackson were acquired by the Braves from the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of a minor league working agreement.* November 28,...
.
In October , Tebbetts signed a three-year contract to manage the Cleveland Indians, saying that he felt he owed a long standing debt to new Indians General Manager, Gabe Paul. After managing the Indians to a fifth-place finish in 1963
1963 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished tied for fifth in the American League with a record of 79-83, 25½ games behind the New York Yankees.- Offseason :...
, he suffered a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
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 Tucson, Arizona on April 1, 1964
1964 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished in a tie for sixth place in the American League with the Minnesota Twins, while winning 79 and losing 83, 20 games behind the AL champion New York Yankees.- Offseason :...
. Just three months later, he returned to manage the team. After a fifth place finish in 1965
1965 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fifth in the American League with a record of 87-75, 15 games behind the Minnesota Twins.- Offseason :...
, Tebbetts led the Indians to fourteen victories in their first fifteen games of the 1966
1966 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fifth in the American League with a record of 81-81, 17 games behind the Baltimore Orioles.- Offseason :...
season but, then the team faltered and fell fifteen games out of first place before he resigned as manager in August.
In eleven seasons as a major league manager, Tebbetts compiled a 748-705 won-loss record. He returned to the minor leagues as a manager in , managing the Marion Mets
Marion Mets
The Marion Mets were a minor league baseball team based in Marion, Virginia that played in the Appalachian League from 1965 to 1976. They were affiliated with the New York Mets and played their home games at the Marion High School baseball field....
in the Appalachian League
Appalachian League
The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
. From to , Tebbetts scouted for the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, 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...
, 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...
and the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
. His baseball accuity earned him a reputation as one of the most respected scouts in professional baseball. Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson
Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
credited Tebbetts' scouting reports for helping him hit three home runs in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series
1977 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 11, 1977 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkThe Dodgers drew first blood off Don Gullett in the first when Davey Lopes walked and scored on a Bill Russell triple. Ron Cey made it 2–0 on a sacrifice fly...
.
Later life
Tebbetts was appointed to the Veterans CommitteeVeterans Committee
The Veterans Committee is the popular name of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Committee to Consider Managers, Umpires, Executives and Long-Retired Players, a committee of the U.S...
of the Baseball Hall of Fame in February . He received the Judge Emil Fuchs
Emil Fuchs (baseball)
Emil Edwin Fuchs was a German-born American baseball owner and executive....
Award in for his long and meritorious service in baseball.
Perhaps most revealing of Tebbetts's character is his recollection of an umpire who suffered dizzy spells following his return from the war. Afraid of losing his job, the umpire asked Tebbetts, then the Tigers catcher, to help calling balls and strikes, and Tebbetts tipped him off with hand signals following each pitch.
Birdie Tebbetts died on March 24, in Bradenton, Florida
Bradenton, Florida
Bradenton is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's 2007 population to be 53,471. Bradenton is the largest Principal City of the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2007 estimated population of 682,833...
, at age of 86. On May 28, 2009, Birdie was announced as a Local Legend of Nashua, New Hampshire, and commemorated with a plaque to be placed in Holman Stadium
Holman Stadium (Nashua)
Holman Stadium is a baseball stadium in Nashua, New Hampshire. It was constructed in 1937, as a multi-purpose stadium, by the City of Nashua. The official seating capacity is 4,375 people. Holman is currently the home of the Nashua Silver Knights of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League...
.
External links
- Baseball Library (profile)
- Baseball Reference (player career and managerial record)
- Time Magazine Article
- The Deadball Era
- SABR Biography of Birdie Tebbetts
- Birdie Tebbetts Biography at Baseball in Wartime
- I'd Rather Catch by Birdie Tebbetts, Baseball Digest, October 1949