Dick Siebert
Encyclopedia
Richard Walther Siebert (February 19, 1912 – December 9, 1978) was an American
first baseman
in Major League Baseball
who had an 11-year career from 1932, 1936-1945. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers
and St. Louis Cardinals
, both of the National League
, and the Philadelphia A's
of the American League
.
Born in Fall River, Massachusetts
, he was elected to the American League All-Star
team in 1943.
Following his playing career, Siebert became head baseball coach at the University of Minnesota, leading the team to College World Series
titles in 1956, 1960 and 1964. He died at age 66 in Minneapolis, Minnesota
.In 1948, Siebert took over as head coach of the Golden Gophers. The "Chief" would go on to become one of the greatest coaches in college baseball history and helped develop baseball at all levels in Minnesota. By the time his career had ended in Gold Country, Siebert had become the winningest coach in Gopher history with a 754-361-6 record and a .676 winning percentage. He sent five different teams to the College World Series and, of course, he brought home three NCAA titles in 1956, 1960 and 1964. His teams also captured 12 Big Ten titles. Amazingly, he endured only three losing seasons.
Siebert served as the president of the American College Baseball Coaches Association. Among his many honors and accolades, Siebert was twice named as college baseball's Coach of the Year; is a member of the College Baseball Hall of Fame; and was a recipient of college baseball's highest award, the Lefty Gomez Trophy, which recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution and given service to the development of college baseball.
On Saturday, April 21, 1979, Minnesota renamed its baseball stadium Siebert Field
in Siebert's honor.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
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 had an 11-year career from 1932, 1936-1945. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers
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...
and St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, both of 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...
, and the Philadelphia A's
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
of 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...
.
Born in Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River, Massachusetts
Fall River is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is located about south of Boston, southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, and west of New Bedford and south of Taunton. The city's population was 88,857 during the 2010 census, making it the tenth largest city in...
, he was elected to the American League All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
team in 1943.
Following his playing career, Siebert became head baseball coach at the University of Minnesota, leading the team to College World Series
College World Series
The College World Series or CWS is an annual baseball tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska that is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which determines the NCAA Division I college baseball champion. The eight teams are split into two, four-team, double-elimination brackets,...
titles in 1956, 1960 and 1964. He died at age 66 in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
.In 1948, Siebert took over as head coach of the Golden Gophers. The "Chief" would go on to become one of the greatest coaches in college baseball history and helped develop baseball at all levels in Minnesota. By the time his career had ended in Gold Country, Siebert had become the winningest coach in Gopher history with a 754-361-6 record and a .676 winning percentage. He sent five different teams to the College World Series and, of course, he brought home three NCAA titles in 1956, 1960 and 1964. His teams also captured 12 Big Ten titles. Amazingly, he endured only three losing seasons.
Siebert served as the president of the American College Baseball Coaches Association. Among his many honors and accolades, Siebert was twice named as college baseball's Coach of the Year; is a member of the College Baseball Hall of Fame; and was a recipient of college baseball's highest award, the Lefty Gomez Trophy, which recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution and given service to the development of college baseball.
On Saturday, April 21, 1979, Minnesota renamed its baseball stadium Siebert Field
Siebert Field
Siebert Field is the baseball stadium at the University of Minnesota where the Minnesota Golden Gophers college baseball team currently plays portions of their seasons. It is named in honor of Dick Siebert, a former head coach who led the Gophers to three national titles...
in Siebert's honor.
Facts
- His son, Paul SiebertPaul SiebertPaul Edward Siebert is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of five seasons in the majors, from until . Paul's father was former major league first baseman Dick Siebert....
, pitchedPitcherIn baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the AstrosHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
, PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
and MetsNew York MetsThe 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...
from 1974to 1978.
- In addition to coaching the Minnesota Gophers, during the 1950s Siebert was a player/coach for the Litchfield Optimists, the Willmar Rails, and the Minneapolis Kopps Realty teams in Minnesota amateur Town Team Baseball. This arrangement allowed Siebert to evaluate talent and coach his Gophers players during the collegiate off-season.