Bob Porterfield
Encyclopedia
Erwin Coolidge "Bob" Porterfield (Born: August 10, 1923 in Newport, Virginia, USA, died: April 28, 1980 in Charlotte, North Carolina
) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball
pitcher. He played for twelve seasons between 1948 and 1959 for the New York Yankees
, Washington Senators
, Boston Red Sox
, Pittsburgh Pirates
and Chicago Cubs
. He appeared in one All-Star game in his career.
Originally signed by the Yankees in 1946, it didn't take him long to reach the Majors. He made his debut on August 8, 1948 at the age of 24. He showed some promise in his rookie season, going 5 and 3 with a 4.50 ERA in 78 innings of work. Although he walked 34 and struck out only 30 batters, he threw only one wild pitch in that time so his control must not have been too much of a concern. While in the minors in 1948, he led the International League
in ERA.
He spent the next couple years with the Yankees, never playing a full season with them. In his time with them, he wore the number 18, except in 1951, he wore 23.
On June 15, 1951, he was sent with Tom Ferrick
and Fred Sanford
to the Senators for Bob Kuzava
. It would end up being that the Senators would end up getting the better of the deal-in less than three seasons with the Yankees, Kuzava would go 15 and 19 as a starter/reliever. In contrast, Ferrick went 6 and 3 with a 2.73 ERA in 49 relief appearances with the Senators. Although Stanford did not amount to much, Bob Porterfield was the gem of the trade. In 1952, he posted a mediocre 13 and 14 record, but he did post solid 2.72 ERA, which was good for seventh in the league.
In 1953, he led the league with 22 wins and was tenth in the league with a 3.35 ERA. He was seventh in the league in MVP voting and was name the "The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year". He led the league with 24 complete games and 9 shutouts and was also involved in a triple play on May 22. He threw two one-hitters in '53. Oddly, this season was not his lone All-Star season.
In fact, 1954 was. He posted a mediocre 13 and 15 record, leading the league in hits allowed with 249. He did lead the league in complete games with 21, but obviously 1953 was far more All-Star worthy than 1954. In his appearance in the All-Star Game, he allowed one home run to Ted Kluszewski
.
After his three successful seasons in which he averaged a record of 15 and 13, and posted a cumulative 3.14 ERA, his career quickly spiraled downward. His 10 and 17 record and 4.45 in 1955 prompted the Senators to trade him (along with Johnny Schmitz
, Tom Umphlett
, and Mickey Vernon
) to the Red Sox for Karl Olson
, Dick Brodowski
, Tex Clevenger
, Neil Chrisley
, and Al Curtis (a minor leaguer) on November 8 of that year. While with the Senators, he wore the number 19, except in 1951, where he wore 29.
His statistics did not improve while with the Red Sox. In fact, in just over two years with the Red Sox, he posted a 7 and 16 record with an ERA of 4.65. After pitching only two games with the Red Sox in the 1958 season, the Pirates purchased him. In his time with the Red Sox, he wore number 19, except in 1956, where he wore 16 and 20.
He actually did fairly well with the Pirates in 1958—in 37 appearances (only six starts), he posted a less-than-stellar 4 and 6 record, but his ERA was a solid 3.29. He surrendered only 78 hits in 87⅔ innings with the Bucs. He won quite a pitching duel with Curt Simmons
, earning the victory in a 1-0, 11 inning bout with the Philadelphia Phillies
. He was involved in another interesting game in 1958 as well—on July 23, "Dodger
Norm Larker
hits a ball just inside the 1B line, which the Pirates believe to be foul. When umpire Vic Delmore
signals it fair, P Bob Porterfield picks up the ball from where it had rolled into the bullpen. Though not playing, Porterfield is ejected for intentional interference with a ball in play. Larker is safe on 2B. The Dodgers still lose 11-3 in the doubleheader opener and are now in last place." http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/P/Porterfield_Bob.stm
1959 was an interesting year for Porterfield. He started off the season with the Pirates, pitching six games with them, posting a small ERA of 1.69. Nevertheless, the Pirates released him, and the Cubs picked him up. With them, he pitched four games, posting an 11.37 in that time. He was then selected off waivers from the Cubs by the Pirates, the team he started the season with. This go-around with the Bucs wasn't so successful. In 30 relief appearances, he posted a 4.75 ERA.
He played his final game on September 9, 1959. The final batter he faced was Lee Maye
. He was released two days after the '59 season ended. In his time with the Pirates, he wore 16 again. With the Cubs, he wore 43. Overall, he posted an 87 and 97 career record with a 3.79 ERA and 1,567+ innings of work. He was obviously not a strikeout pitcher-he posted just 572 Ks in his career (that's only about 3.3 per nine innings of work).
He posted a .184 career batting average, although he did have two very successful seasons. In 98 at-bats in 1953, for example, he posted a .255 average with three home runs and sixteen RBI. His first career home run was a grand slam, which he hit on May 5 of that year. In 1956, he hit .326 in 43 at-bats. Overall, he hit six home runs in his career, driving in 43 runs. He stole one base in one chance. In the field, he committed 15 errors for a .960 fielding percentage. He was also involved in 15 double plays in his career.
After his career ended, he became a welder for the Westinghouse Corporation. In 1966, he received one vote for induction into the baseball Hall of Fame-obviously not enough to get him in. He died in 1980 from lymphoma
, at the age of 56. He is buried in Sharon Memorial Park
in Charlotte.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
) is a former right-handed 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...
pitcher. He played for twelve seasons between 1948 and 1959 for 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...
, 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...
, 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"...
, Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
and 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 appeared in one All-Star game in his career.
Originally signed by the Yankees in 1946, it didn't take him long to reach the Majors. He made his debut on August 8, 1948 at the age of 24. He showed some promise in his rookie season, going 5 and 3 with a 4.50 ERA in 78 innings of work. Although he walked 34 and struck out only 30 batters, he threw only one wild pitch in that time so his control must not have been too much of a concern. While in the minors in 1948, he led the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
in ERA.
He spent the next couple years with the Yankees, never playing a full season with them. In his time with them, he wore the number 18, except in 1951, he wore 23.
On June 15, 1951, he was sent with Tom Ferrick
Tom Ferrick (baseball)
Thomas Jerome Ferrick was a pitcher, pitching coach and scout in American Major League Baseball. Born in New York, New York, he stood 6'2½" tall and weighed 220 pounds in his playing days...
and Fred Sanford
Fred Sanford (baseball)
John Frederick Sanford was a professional baseball player who was a pitcher in the Major Leagues from -. He played for the New York Yankees, Washington Senators, and St. Louis Browns. He was born in Garfield, Utah and died in Salt Lake City, Utah.Sanford's major league career, comprising five full...
to the Senators for Bob Kuzava
Bob Kuzava
Robert Leroy Kuzava is a retired American professional baseball player, a left-handed pitcher for the Cleveland Indians , Chicago White Sox , Washington Senators , New York Yankees , Baltimore Orioles , Philadelphia Phillies , Pittsburgh Pirates and St...
. It would end up being that the Senators would end up getting the better of the deal-in less than three seasons with the Yankees, Kuzava would go 15 and 19 as a starter/reliever. In contrast, Ferrick went 6 and 3 with a 2.73 ERA in 49 relief appearances with the Senators. Although Stanford did not amount to much, Bob Porterfield was the gem of the trade. In 1952, he posted a mediocre 13 and 14 record, but he did post solid 2.72 ERA, which was good for seventh in the league.
In 1953, he led the league with 22 wins and was tenth in the league with a 3.35 ERA. He was seventh in the league in MVP voting and was name the "The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year". He led the league with 24 complete games and 9 shutouts and was also involved in a triple play on May 22. He threw two one-hitters in '53. Oddly, this season was not his lone All-Star season.
In fact, 1954 was. He posted a mediocre 13 and 15 record, leading the league in hits allowed with 249. He did lead the league in complete games with 21, but obviously 1953 was far more All-Star worthy than 1954. In his appearance in the All-Star Game, he allowed one home run to Ted Kluszewski
Ted Kluszewski
Theodore Bernard "Big Klu" Kluszewski was a Major League first baseman from 1947 through 1961. He batted and threw left-handed.-Career:...
.
After his three successful seasons in which he averaged a record of 15 and 13, and posted a cumulative 3.14 ERA, his career quickly spiraled downward. His 10 and 17 record and 4.45 in 1955 prompted the Senators to trade him (along with Johnny Schmitz
Johnny Schmitz
John Albert Schmitz, nicknamed "Bear Tracks" , was a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played 13 seasons between and , missing 1943 to 1945 due to World War II. His nickname was inspired by the way he shuffled to the mound and his size 14 feet...
, Tom Umphlett
Tom Umphlett
Thomas Mullen Umphlett is a former center and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1953 to 1955 with the Boston Red Sox and Washington Senators....
, and Mickey Vernon
Mickey Vernon
James Barton "Mickey" Vernon was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Washington Senators for the majority of his career, as well as four other teams: the Cleveland Indians , Boston Red Sox , Milwaukee Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates...
) to the Red Sox for Karl Olson
Karl Olson
Karl Arthur Olson of Kentfield, California was a former backup outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox , Washington Senators and Detroit Tigers . He batted and threw right-handed.In a six-season career, Olson was a .235 hitter with six home runs and 50 RBI in 279...
, Dick Brodowski
Dick Brodowski
Richard Stanley Brodowski is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from 1952 through 1955 for the Boston Red Sox , Washington Senators and Cleveland Indians . He batted and threw right-handed.Brodowski was 19 years old when he reached the majors in 1952 with the Boston Red...
, Tex Clevenger
Tex Clevenger
Truman Eugene "Tex" Clevenger is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher/spot starter who played for the Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators, Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees from 1954-1962. He was 6'1" tall and 180 pounds, and threw and batted right-handed. He attended Fresno State...
, Neil Chrisley
Neil Chrisley
Barbra O'Neil Chrisley is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played from 1957 to 1961 with the Washington Senators, Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee Braves. He was 6'3" tall, weighed 187 pounds and he threw right and batted left-handed.He was originally signed by the Boston Red Sox as a...
, and Al Curtis (a minor leaguer) on November 8 of that year. While with the Senators, he wore the number 19, except in 1951, where he wore 29.
His statistics did not improve while with the Red Sox. In fact, in just over two years with the Red Sox, he posted a 7 and 16 record with an ERA of 4.65. After pitching only two games with the Red Sox in the 1958 season, the Pirates purchased him. In his time with the Red Sox, he wore number 19, except in 1956, where he wore 16 and 20.
He actually did fairly well with the Pirates in 1958—in 37 appearances (only six starts), he posted a less-than-stellar 4 and 6 record, but his ERA was a solid 3.29. He surrendered only 78 hits in 87⅔ innings with the Bucs. He won quite a pitching duel with Curt Simmons
Curt Simmons
Curtis Thomas "Curt" Simmons is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1947–50 and 1952-67. With right-hander Robin Roberts, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Simmons was one of the twin anchors of the starting rotation of the "Whiz Kids", the Philadelphia Phillies' ...
, earning the victory in a 1-0, 11 inning bout with the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. He was involved in another interesting game in 1958 as well—on July 23, "Dodger
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
Norm Larker
Norm Larker
Norman Howard John Larker was a first baseman/outfielder who played in Major League Baseball from 1958 through 1963. Listed at 6' 0", 185 lbs., Larker batted and threw left-handed. He was born in Beaver Meadows, Pennsylvania.Larker played in the minor leagues even before 1950...
hits a ball just inside the 1B line, which the Pirates believe to be foul. When umpire Vic Delmore
Vic Delmore
Victor "Deacon" Delmore was an umpire who worked in the National League from 1956 to 1959. His professional umpiring career began in 1948 in the KITTY League. He worked in the Southern Association from 1949 to 1955...
signals it fair, P Bob Porterfield picks up the ball from where it had rolled into the bullpen. Though not playing, Porterfield is ejected for intentional interference with a ball in play. Larker is safe on 2B. The Dodgers still lose 11-3 in the doubleheader opener and are now in last place." http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/P/Porterfield_Bob.stm
1959 was an interesting year for Porterfield. He started off the season with the Pirates, pitching six games with them, posting a small ERA of 1.69. Nevertheless, the Pirates released him, and the Cubs picked him up. With them, he pitched four games, posting an 11.37 in that time. He was then selected off waivers from the Cubs by the Pirates, the team he started the season with. This go-around with the Bucs wasn't so successful. In 30 relief appearances, he posted a 4.75 ERA.
He played his final game on September 9, 1959. The final batter he faced was Lee Maye
Lee Maye
Arthur Lee Maye was a Major League Baseball player. He played eleven seasons in the majors as an outfielder for the Milwaukee Braves , Houston Astros , Cleveland Indians , Washington Senators , and Chicago White Sox .Maye was also well known as a Rhythm & Blues singer...
. He was released two days after the '59 season ended. In his time with the Pirates, he wore 16 again. With the Cubs, he wore 43. Overall, he posted an 87 and 97 career record with a 3.79 ERA and 1,567+ innings of work. He was obviously not a strikeout pitcher-he posted just 572 Ks in his career (that's only about 3.3 per nine innings of work).
He posted a .184 career batting average, although he did have two very successful seasons. In 98 at-bats in 1953, for example, he posted a .255 average with three home runs and sixteen RBI. His first career home run was a grand slam, which he hit on May 5 of that year. In 1956, he hit .326 in 43 at-bats. Overall, he hit six home runs in his career, driving in 43 runs. He stole one base in one chance. In the field, he committed 15 errors for a .960 fielding percentage. He was also involved in 15 double plays in his career.
After his career ended, he became a welder for the Westinghouse Corporation. In 1966, he received one vote for induction into the baseball Hall of Fame-obviously not enough to get him in. He died in 1980 from lymphoma
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a cancer in the lymphatic cells of the immune system. Typically, lymphomas present as a solid tumor of lymphoid cells. Treatment might involve chemotherapy and in some cases radiotherapy and/or bone marrow transplantation, and can be curable depending on the histology, type, and stage...
, at the age of 56. He is buried in Sharon Memorial Park
Sharon Memorial Park
Sharon Memorial Park is a crematory and cemetery located at 5716 Monroe Road in Charlotte, North Carolina. Notable people interred there include baseball players Bob Porterfield and Ben Paschal.-External links:...
in Charlotte.
Sources
External links
- Bob Porterfield at Find a GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...