Frenchy Bordagaray
Encyclopedia
Stanley George "Frenchy" Bordagaray (January 3, 1910 - April 13, 2000) was an American
Major League Baseball
outfielder
and third baseman
. Born in Coalinga, California
, he lettered in four sports at Fresno
State College (later renamed California State University, Fresno
) before making his professional baseball debut in 1931 with the Sacramento Solons
of the Pacific Coast League. Bordagaray played from 1934-1945 for five different teams, primarily the Brooklyn Dodgers
. During a 12-year baseball career, he hit
.283, 13 home run
s, and 270 runs batted in
.
Bordagaray sported a mustache—common among 19th century ballplayers and also in later decades of the 20th century, but almost unheard of during his era.
He played in two World Series
--one with the Reds (1939
) and one with the Yankees (1941
).
He also authored a famous baseball quote. Upon being suspended for several games due to spitting at an umpire, and being asked by a reporter about the length of the suspension, Bordagaray puckishly answered, "It was more than I expectorated."
After his baseball career, Bordagaray owned restaurants and clubs in St. Louis
and Kansas City
and developed land as cemeteries in the Midwest. In 1961 he moved to Ventura, California
, where he was supervisor of youth sports and recreation programs.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
and 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...
. Born in Coalinga, California
Coalinga, California
Coalinga is a city in Fresno County, California. The population was 13,380 at the 2010 census, up from 11,668 at the 2000 census. It is the site of both Pleasant Valley State Prison and Coalinga State Hospital. Coalinga is located southwest of Fresno, at an elevation of 673 feet .-Early...
, he lettered in four sports at Fresno
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
State College (later renamed California State University, Fresno
California State University, Fresno
California State University, Fresno, often referred to as Fresno State University and synonymously known in athletics as Fresno State , is one of the leading campuses of the California State University system, located at the northeast edge of Fresno, California, USA.The campus sits at the foot of...
) before making his professional baseball debut in 1931 with the Sacramento Solons
Sacramento Solons
The Sacramento Solons were a minor league baseball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Pacific Coast League during several periods . The current Sacramento River Cats began play in 2000...
of the Pacific Coast League. Bordagaray played from 1934-1945 for five different teams, primarily 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...
. During a 12-year baseball career, he hit
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 :...
.283, 13 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 270 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...
.
Bordagaray sported a mustache—common among 19th century ballplayers and also in later decades of the 20th century, but almost unheard of during his era.
He played in two 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...
--one with the Reds (1939
1939 World Series
The 1939 World Series featured the three-time defending champion New York Yankees against the Cincinnati Reds, who were making their first Series appearance since the scandal-tainted 1919 World Series. The Yankees swept the Series in four games for the second time in a row, winning their record...
) and one with the Yankees (1941
1941 World Series
The 1941 World Series matched the New York Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers, with the Yankees winning in five games to capture their fifth title in six years, and their ninth overall....
).
He also authored a famous baseball quote. Upon being suspended for several games due to spitting at an umpire, and being asked by a reporter about the length of the suspension, Bordagaray puckishly answered, "It was more than I expectorated."
After his baseball career, Bordagaray owned restaurants and clubs in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
and Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
and developed land as cemeteries in the Midwest. In 1961 he moved to Ventura, California
Ventura, California
Ventura is the county seat of Ventura County, California, United States, incorporated in 1866. The population was 106,433 at the 2010 census, up from 100,916 at the 2000 census. Ventura is accessible via U.S...
, where he was supervisor of youth sports and recreation programs.