Bubba Phillips
Encyclopedia
John Melvin "Bubba" Phillips (February 24, 1928 - June 22, 1993) was an American
third baseman
in Major League Baseball
who attended the University of Southern Mississippi. He was a multi-sport athlete at what is now known as the University of Southern Mississippi, earning Little All-America honors in baseball and serving as captain (running back) of the football team.
Phillips was born in West Point, Mississippi
. At 5'9", 180 pounds, he was sent to from the Stroudsburg Poconos
of the North Atlantic League
to the Detroit Tigers
in an unknown transaction before the 1949 season. He made his big league debut on April 30, 1955 with the Tigers at the age of 27 and wearing number 11. He spent most of the year coming off the bench, but he still managed to batted
.234 with three home run
s and 23 runs batted in
in 95 games (184 at bat
s).
After the 1955 season, he was traded from the Tigers to the Chicago White Sox
for Virgil Trucks
. He spent his first season with the White Sox, , as a benchwarmer, being used mostly as a pinch hitter/defensive replacement. He hit .273 that year, with 2 home runs and 11 RBI.
In , Phillips became the White Sox starting third baseman. In 121 games that year, he hit .270 with seven home runs and 42 RBI. He also walked 28 times and struck out only 32 times. He took the starting job from Fred Hatfield
, who ended up hitting only .202 that year.
In , Phillips spent time almost evenly at third base and in the outfield, playing only 10 more games at third than in the outfield. In 84 games that year, he hit .273 with five home runs and 30 RBI. He was a consistent hitter who did not walk much but did not strike out much either. In fact, in 1958 he walked 15 times and struck out only 14 times.
In , he reclaimed his starting job at third base from Billy Goodman
. He hit .264 with 5 home runs, 40 RBI, 27 walks and 28 strikeouts that year. Placing seventh in the league in intentional walks with seven and ninth in the league in doubles with 27. He also did well in the World Series
that year, hitting .300 in 10 at-bats.
After the 1959 season, Phillips was traded to the Cleveland Indians
with Norm Cash
and Johnny Romano
for Minnie Miñoso, Dick Brown, Don Ferrarese
, and Jake Striker
.
His first season with the Indians, , was the worst of his career. He batted only .207 with 4 home runs. He even ended up having to relinquish time at third to other players on the team, mostly Ken Aspromonte
.
He rebounded in a big way in , finding a power stroke that led him to hit 18 home runs, including the only two grand slams of his career. He finished the season with a .264 average and 72 RBI. He ended up finishing in 17th place for MVP voting in 1961.
was not nearly as successful as 1961, but it is still noteworthy. He hit 10 home runs with 54 RBI and a .258 batting average. He was also part of a rare back-to-back-to-back home run feat, in which Jerry Kindall
, himself and Jim Mahoney all connected in succession off pitcher Bill Stafford
on June 17 of that year.
After the 1962 season, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers
for Ron Nischwitz
and Gordon Seyfried
. He was their starting third baseman for a year-, but he hit only .246 with 5 home runs (although he did steal a career high 6 bases and lead the league in sacrifice flies with 10).
In , he lost his starting job to a young Don Wert
. He wrapped up his big league career after 1964, a year in which he hit .253 with three home runs and six RBI. He played his final big league game on September 6 of that year.
Overall, he hit .255 with 62 home runs and 356 RBI over his 10 year career. He walked 182 times and struck out only 314 times in 3,278 at bats. He was a .964 career fielder. He collected his final hit off Gerry Arrigo
and his final home run off Dave Stenhouse
. According to Baseball-Reference, the player he is most similar to statistically is Mike Shannon
. He was teammates with Barry Latman
for six seasons, longer than any other teammate.
He mostly wore number 5 during his career, although during part of the 1960 season he wore 7 and during his final two year he wore 1.
Phillips died at age 65 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi
and is buried at Cedarlawn Cemetery
in Philadelphia, Mississippi
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
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 attended the University of Southern Mississippi. He was a multi-sport athlete at what is now known as the University of Southern Mississippi, earning Little All-America honors in baseball and serving as captain (running back) of the football team.
Phillips was born in West Point, Mississippi
West Point, Mississippi
West Point is a city in Clay County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 12,145 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Clay County and the principal city of the West Point Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the larger Columbus-West Point Combined Statistical...
. At 5'9", 180 pounds, he was sent to from the Stroudsburg Poconos
Stroudsburg Poconos
The Stroudsburg Poconos, located in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, were a minor league baseball team that played in the Interstate League in 1932 and in the North Atlantic League from 1946 to 1950. They were affiliated with the New York Yankee in 1947 and the Cleveland Indians in 1949. They played...
of the North Atlantic League
North Atlantic League
The North Atlantic League was the name of two minor baseball leagues. The first was a Class D affiliated system that operated from 1946 until 1950, and the second was an independent minor league that played from 1995 until 1996...
to 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...
in an unknown transaction before the 1949 season. He made his big league debut on April 30, 1955 with the Tigers at the age of 27 and wearing number 11. He spent most of the year coming off the bench, but he still managed to 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 :...
.234 with three 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 23 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...
in 95 games (184 at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s).
After the 1955 season, he was traded from the Tigers to the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for Virgil Trucks
Virgil Trucks
Virgil Oliver Trucks is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1941 through 1958, Trucks played for the Detroit Tigers , St. Louis Browns , Chicago White Sox , Kansas City Athletics and New York Yankees . He batted and threw right-handed...
. He spent his first season with the White Sox, , as a benchwarmer, being used mostly as a pinch hitter/defensive replacement. He hit .273 that year, with 2 home runs and 11 RBI.
In , Phillips became the White Sox starting third baseman. In 121 games that year, he hit .270 with seven home runs and 42 RBI. He also walked 28 times and struck out only 32 times. He took the starting job from Fred Hatfield
Fred Hatfield
Fred James Hatfield , nicknamed "Scrap Iron", was a Major League Baseball infielder who played 9 seasons in the Major Leagues with the Boston Red Sox , Detroit Tigers , Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians , and Cincinnati Redlegs .Born in Lanett, Alabama, Hatfield signed by the Boston Red Sox as an...
, who ended up hitting only .202 that year.
In , Phillips spent time almost evenly at third base and in the outfield, playing only 10 more games at third than in the outfield. In 84 games that year, he hit .273 with five home runs and 30 RBI. He was a consistent hitter who did not walk much but did not strike out much either. In fact, in 1958 he walked 15 times and struck out only 14 times.
In , he reclaimed his starting job at third base from Billy Goodman
Billy Goodman
William Dale Goodman was an infielder and left-handed batter who played Major League Baseball with the Boston Red Sox , Baltimore Orioles , Chicago White Sox and Houston Colt .45's ....
. He hit .264 with 5 home runs, 40 RBI, 27 walks and 28 strikeouts that year. Placing seventh in the league in intentional walks with seven and ninth in the league in doubles with 27. He also did well in the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
that year, hitting .300 in 10 at-bats.
After the 1959 season, Phillips was traded to 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...
with Norm Cash
Norm Cash
Norman Dalton Cash was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who spent almost his entire career with the Detroit Tigers...
and Johnny Romano
Johnny Romano
John Anthony Romano Jr. is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals . He threw and batted right-handed...
for Minnie Miñoso, Dick Brown, Don Ferrarese
Don Ferrarese
Donald Hugh "Midget" Ferrarese is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1955 to 1962 with the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals. A left-handed thrower, he threw right-handed. An attendant of St...
, and Jake Striker
Jake Striker
Wilbur Scott "Jake" Striker is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played in and with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox....
.
His first season with the Indians, , was the worst of his career. He batted only .207 with 4 home runs. He even ended up having to relinquish time at third to other players on the team, mostly Ken Aspromonte
Ken Aspromonte
Kenneth Joseph Aspromonte is a former second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball who had a seven-year career from 1957 to 1963. He played for the Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, and Los Angeles Angels of the American League, and the Milwaukee Braves and Chicago...
.
He rebounded in a big way in , finding a power stroke that led him to hit 18 home runs, including the only two grand slams of his career. He finished the season with a .264 average and 72 RBI. He ended up finishing in 17th place for MVP voting in 1961.
was not nearly as successful as 1961, but it is still noteworthy. He hit 10 home runs with 54 RBI and a .258 batting average. He was also part of a rare back-to-back-to-back home run feat, in which Jerry Kindall
Jerry Kindall
Gerald Donald Kindall , is a retired professional baseball player who played second base in the major leagues from 1956-1965 for the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins. Kindall was originally signed up by the Chicago Cubs as a bonus baby...
, himself and Jim Mahoney all connected in succession off pitcher Bill Stafford
Bill Stafford
William Charles Stafford was a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1960-1967. Stafford was a successful pitcher for the New York Yankees from 1961–1962, winning a combined 28 games in two seasons...
on June 17 of that year.
After the 1962 season, he was traded to 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...
for Ron Nischwitz
Ron Nischwitz
Ronald Lee Nischwitz is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played from 1961 to 1963 and in 1965 for the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians. A switch hitter, he threw left-handed, was 6'3" tall and he weighed 205 pounds.Prior to playing professional baseball, he attended Fairview...
and Gordon Seyfried
Gordon Seyfried
Gordon Clay Seyfried is a former right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1963 to 1964 for the Cleveland Indians. He was 6'0" tall and he weighed 185 pounds. Prior to playing professionally, he attended Woodrow Wilson High School.Seyfried was signed by the Detroit Tigers in 1956....
. He was their starting third baseman for a year-, but he hit only .246 with 5 home runs (although he did steal a career high 6 bases and lead the league in sacrifice flies with 10).
In , he lost his starting job to a young Don Wert
Don Wert
Donald Ralph Wert , nicknamed "Coyote", is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers from 1963 to 1970 and also briefly played for the Washington Senators in 1971...
. He wrapped up his big league career after 1964, a year in which he hit .253 with three home runs and six RBI. He played his final big league game on September 6 of that year.
Overall, he hit .255 with 62 home runs and 356 RBI over his 10 year career. He walked 182 times and struck out only 314 times in 3,278 at bats. He was a .964 career fielder. He collected his final hit off Gerry Arrigo
Gerry Arrigo
Gerald William Arrigo is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.Before the season, Arrigo was signed as an amateur free agent by the Chicago White Sox, but was promptly drafted away from them by the Minnesota Twins in the 1960 first-year draft....
and his final home run off Dave Stenhouse
Dave Stenhouse
David Rotchford Stenhouse is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Washington Senators from to . Stenhouse batted and threw right-handed. He is the father of outfielder Mike Stenhouse....
. According to Baseball-Reference, the player he is most similar to statistically is Mike Shannon
Mike Shannon
Thomas Michael Shannon is an American-born former Major League Baseball player and current radio sportscaster.Shannon is a radio broadcaster for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was raised in St. Louis, Missouri and played with the Cardinals during some of the team's most successful years...
. He was teammates with Barry Latman
Barry Latman
Arnold Barry Latman is a former professional baseball pitcher.-Career:He played all or part of 11 seasons in the majors, from until , for the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles/California Angels, and Houston Astros.He was an All Star in both 1961 and 1962...
for six seasons, longer than any other teammate.
He mostly wore number 5 during his career, although during part of the 1960 season he wore 7 and during his final two year he wore 1.
Phillips died at age 65 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Hattiesburg is a city in Forrest County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 44,779 at the 2000 census . It is the county seat of Forrest County...
and is buried at Cedarlawn Cemetery
Cedarlawn Cemetery
Cedarlawn Cemetery is a cemetery located in Philadelphia, Mississippi. It is also sometimes spelled Cedar Lawn Cemetery. Multiple people of note are interred at Cedarlawn Cemetery, including W. Arthur Winstead, Bubba Phillips and Adam M. Byrd....
in Philadelphia, Mississippi
Philadelphia, Mississippi
Philadelphia is a city in and the county seat of Neshoba County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 7,303 at the 2000 census.- History :...
.