Buck Crouse
Encyclopedia
Clyde "Bucky" Ellsworth Crouse (January 6, 1897, Anderson, Indiana
– October 23, 1983, Muncie, Indiana
) was an American
catcher
in Major League Baseball
.
. When they folded a year later, he joined the Muskegan Club in the Michigan-Ontario League
.
Chicago White Sox
purchased him in the middle of the 1923 season. It was in Chicago that Bucky began his longtime association with Hall of Famers Ray Schalk
, whom he backed up as a catcher, and pitcher Ted Lyons, who preferred Crouse over any other catcher. He served as backup to Schalk through 1926, and the next two seasons as part of a catching tandem with Harry McCurdy
and Moe Berg
. His best season was in 1925 when he led the team in hitting with a .351 in 54 games, but he was best known for his strong arm and defensive abilities. He averaged nearly one assist per game, an unusually high figure.
International League
team. Because of his hustle and defensive prowess, he was one of Buffalo's most popular players. While with the Herd he caught two no-hit games, and during the 1935 pennant race he caught 32 straight games, including five double headers in six days. His fielding average was an impressive .984 (only 8 errors in 499 chances). He was honored with "Bucky Crouse Night" in front of over 13,000 fans at Offermann Stadium
and was later inducted into the Buffalo Hall of Fame.
, after being traded for George Savino and cash. In his first showing as a manager, he batted a solid .288 and led the Flock out of the league cellar into the first division and the Governors' Cup
series. They finished fourth, losing to the Newark Bears
in the playoffs. He was widely recognized by players, writers and officials for his inspirational leadership and was again honored with "Bucky Crouse Night" at Oriole Park
. That year he was named The Sporting News
' Most Valuable Player
of the International League. At age 40 and a grandfather, he was the oldest player ever to receive this honor. It was the highlight of his 17 year career. At the celebration, he received a trophy, the key to the city, a bag of money and a new car.
, of the Southern Association
, but asked to be released to manage the Montgomery team of the Southeastern League
. He pulled the Montgomery club up and led them into the playoffs but did not like the deep south. He finished his career coaching at Indianapolis of the American Association
in 1940.
Anderson, Indiana
Anderson is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, Indiana, United States. It is the principal city of the Anderson, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses Madison county. Anderson is the headquarters of the Church of God and home of Anderson University, which is...
– October 23, 1983, Muncie, Indiana
Muncie, Indiana
Muncie is a city in Center Township, Delaware County in east central Indiana, best known as the home of Ball State University and the birthplace of the Ball Corporation. It is the principal city of the Muncie, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 118,769...
) was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
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...
.
Early Minor League Career
"Bucky" began his professional baseball career in 1921 with the Jackson Mayors team in the Michigan Central LeagueCentral League (baseball)
The Central League was a minor league baseball league that operated sporadically from 1903-1917, 1920-1922, 1926, 1928-1930, 1934, and 1948-1951. In 1926, the league merged mid-season with the Michigan State League and played under that name for the remainder of the season...
. When they folded a year later, he joined the Muskegan Club in the Michigan-Ontario League
Michigan-Ontario League
Michigan State League was the name of an American professional baseball league. It operated seven full seasons and part of an eighth from 1919 to 1926....
.
Chicago White Sox
The American LeagueAmerican 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...
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...
purchased him in the middle of the 1923 season. It was in Chicago that Bucky began his longtime association with Hall of Famers Ray Schalk
Ray Schalk
Raymond William Schalk was a professional baseball player, coach, manager and scout. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox for the majority of his career. Known for his fine handling of pitchers and outstanding defensive ability, Schalk was considered the...
, whom he backed up as a catcher, and pitcher Ted Lyons, who preferred Crouse over any other catcher. He served as backup to Schalk through 1926, and the next two seasons as part of a catching tandem with Harry McCurdy
Harry McCurdy
Harry Henry McCurdy born in Stevens Point, Wisconsin was a catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds ....
and Moe Berg
Moe Berg
Morris "Moe" Berg was an American catcher and coach in Major League Baseball who later served as a spy for the Office of Strategic Services during World War II...
. His best season was in 1925 when he led the team in hitting with a .351 in 54 games, but he was best known for his strong arm and defensive abilities. He averaged nearly one assist per game, an unusually high figure.
Buffalo Bisons
Crouse left the White Sox in 1931 to play for Schalk, now the manager of the Buffalo BisonsBuffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
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...
team. Because of his hustle and defensive prowess, he was one of Buffalo's most popular players. While with the Herd he caught two no-hit games, and during the 1935 pennant race he caught 32 straight games, including five double headers in six days. His fielding average was an impressive .984 (only 8 errors in 499 chances). He was honored with "Bucky Crouse Night" in front of over 13,000 fans at Offermann Stadium
Offermann Stadium
Offermann Stadium was a stadium in Buffalo, New York. It was primarily used for baseball and was the home of Buffalo Bisons of the International League. The ballpark had a capacity of 14,000 people and opened in 1924...
and was later inducted into the Buffalo Hall of Fame.
Baltimore Orioles
In 1937 Bucky took over May 20 as player-manager for the struggling International League Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles (minor league)
The city of Baltimore, Maryland has been home to two minor league baseball teams called the Baltimore Orioles.-Name history:"Orioles" is a traditional name for baseball clubs in Baltimore . It was used by major league teams from 1882 through 1899 in the American Association/National League and by...
, after being traded for George Savino and cash. In his first showing as a manager, he batted a solid .288 and led the Flock out of the league cellar into the first division and the Governors' Cup
Governors' Cup
The Governors' Cup is the trophy awarded each year to the champion of the International League, one of the two current Triple-A level minor leagues of Major League Baseball.-Governors' Cup history:...
series. They finished fourth, losing to the Newark Bears
Newark Bears
The Newark Bears are an American professional baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 1999 season, the Bears have played their home games at Bears &...
in the playoffs. He was widely recognized by players, writers and officials for his inspirational leadership and was again honored with "Bucky Crouse Night" at Oriole Park
Oriole Park
Oriole Park is the name of several former major league and minor league baseball parks in Baltimore, Maryland.It is also half the name of the current home of the Baltimore Orioles of the American League, its full name being Oriole Park at Camden Yards....
. That year he was named The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
' Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
of the International League. At age 40 and a grandfather, he was the oldest player ever to receive this honor. It was the highlight of his 17 year career. At the celebration, he received a trophy, the key to the city, a bag of money and a new car.
Coaching
In 1939 he signed to catch for the Little Rock TravelersLittle Rock Travelers
The Little Rock Travelers were an American minor league baseball team located in Little Rock, Arkansas and members of the Southern Association, which as a Class A, A1 or AA circuit was typically two rungs below Major League Baseball...
, of the Southern Association
Southern Association
The Southern Association was a higher-level minor league in American organized baseball from 1901 through 1961. For most of its existence, the Southern Association was two steps below the Major Leagues; it was graded Class A , Class A1 and Class AA...
, but asked to be released to manage the Montgomery team of the Southeastern League
Southeastern League
The Southeastern League was the name of three baseball circuits in minor league baseball league which operated in the Southeastern and South Central United States...
. He pulled the Montgomery club up and led them into the playoffs but did not like the deep south. He finished his career coaching at Indianapolis of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
in 1940.