Don Buddin
Encyclopedia
Donald Thomas Buddin was an American
professional baseball
shortstop
. He played all or part of six seasons in Major League Baseball
for the Boston Red Sox
(1956; 1958–61), Houston Colt .45s
(1962) and Detroit Tigers
(1962). Listed at 5' 11" (1.80 m), 178 lb. (81 kg), Buddin batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Turbeville, South Carolina
.
A touted prospect from Olanta, South Carolina
, Buddin attended Wofford College
. He became the Red Sox' starting shortstop from 1956 through 1961, with the exception of the 1957 season, which he spent in military service.
Buddin led the American League
in errors
by a shortstop in 1958 and 1959, and finished third and second in that category in 1956 and 1960. His defensive struggles led one Boston sportswriter to write that Buddin's car should bear the license plate "E-6."
His most productive season came in 1961, when he batted
a career-high .263 in 109 games. He was traded that offseason to the expansion Colt .45s for fellow shortstop Eddie Bressoud
.
Buddin was the starting shortstop in Houston's first official National League
game on April 10, 1962 — an 11–2 thrashing of the visiting Chicago Cubs
, in which he was hitless
in three at bats but played errorless ball in the field and turned a double play
. On June 11, he hit the first grand slam
in Houston franchise history against Joe Moeller
of the Los Angeles Dodgers
. But he batted only .163 in 40 games, and Bob Lillis
supplanted him as the Colt .45s' regular shortstop. On July 20, Buddin's contract was waived to the Tigers, where he played out his final year in the majors as a backup to Chico Fernández
.
In a six-season career, Buddin posted a .241 batting average with 551 hits and 41 home run
s in 711 games, driving in
225 runs while scoring
342 times, committing 155 errors for a .954 fielding average. He also played seven minor league
seasons between 1952 and 1965, most prominently in the International League
and the Pacific Coast League
circuits.
Buddin died in Greenville, South Carolina
, at the age of 77.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
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....
shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
. He played all or part of six seasons 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...
for 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"...
(1956; 1958–61), Houston Colt .45s
Houston Astros
The 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...
(1962) and 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...
(1962). Listed at 5' 11" (1.80 m), 178 lb. (81 kg), Buddin batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Turbeville, South Carolina
Turbeville, South Carolina
Turbeville is a town in Clarendon County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 766 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Turbeville is located at...
.
A touted prospect from Olanta, South Carolina
Olanta, South Carolina
Olanta is a town in Florence County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 613 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Olanta is located at ....
, Buddin attended Wofford College
Wofford College
Established in 1854 and related to the United Methodist Church, Wofford College is an independent, Phi Beta Kappa liberal arts college of 1,525 students located in downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States. The historic campus is recognized as a national arboretum and features “The...
. He became the Red Sox' starting shortstop from 1956 through 1961, with the exception of the 1957 season, which he spent in military service.
Buddin led 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 errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
by a shortstop in 1958 and 1959, and finished third and second in that category in 1956 and 1960. His defensive struggles led one Boston sportswriter to write that Buddin's car should bear the license plate "E-6."
His most productive season came in 1961, when he 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 :...
a career-high .263 in 109 games. He was traded that offseason to the expansion Colt .45s for fellow shortstop Eddie Bressoud
Eddie Bressoud
Edward Francis Bressoud is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played from through for the New York & San Francisco Giants , Boston Red Sox , New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals...
.
Buddin was the starting shortstop in Houston's first official 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...
game on April 10, 1962 — an 11–2 thrashing of the visiting 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...
, in which he was hitless
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 three at bats but played errorless ball in the field and turned a double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
. On June 11, he hit the first grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
in Houston franchise history against Joe Moeller
Joe Moeller
Joseph Douglas Moeller is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1962-1971. Moeller is the youngest starting pitcher in Los Angeles Dodgers history at 19 years, 2 months of age...
of the Los Angeles 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...
. But he batted only .163 in 40 games, and Bob Lillis
Bob Lillis
Robert Perry Lillis is a retired American infielder, manager, coach and scout in Major League Baseball...
supplanted him as the Colt .45s' regular shortstop. On July 20, Buddin's contract was waived to the Tigers, where he played out his final year in the majors as a backup to Chico Fernández
Chico Fernandez
Humberto "Chico" Fernández Pérez is a former Major League Baseball shortstop who played eight seasons with the Brooklyn Dodgers , Philadelphia Phillies , Detroit Tigers , and New York Mets . Fernández played in 856 Major League games, 810 at shortstop...
.
In a six-season career, Buddin posted a .241 batting average with 551 hits and 41 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 in 711 games, driving 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...
225 runs while scoring
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
342 times, committing 155 errors for a .954 fielding average. He also played seven minor league
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...
seasons between 1952 and 1965, most prominently in 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...
and the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
circuits.
Buddin died in Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
, at the age of 77.