Jimmie Reese
Encyclopedia
Jimmie Reese (adopted by the name of Hyam Soloman; birth name variously given as Hymie Soloman, Herman Soloman, James Herman Soloman, and James Hymie Soloman) was a Major League Baseball
second baseman
, third baseman
, and coach
.
In order to avoid the brunt of prejudice
against Jewish baseball players during that era, Soloman – who was Jewish -- adopted the name of Jimmie Reese, which he used throughout his baseball career.
Although Reese was born in New York City, he grew up in Los Angeles.
, beginning as a batboy
with the Los Angeles Angels
from 1919 (at least one source claims 1917) to 1923.
.
In 1927, Reese batted .295 in 191 games and led the PCL in fielding for second basemen (.984), as the Oaks won their first pennant in 15 years.
for Lyn Lary
and $100,000 ($ today).
He was called up to the American League
in 1930. Reese played for the Yankees in 1930 and 1931, and was most noted for being the roommate of Babe Ruth
(or, as Reese explained, he “roomed with Ruth’s suitcase”).
In 1930 he batted .346 in 188 at bats, striking out only 8 times. Only Lou Gehrig
and Babe Ruth
hit for higher averages on the team. He was the primary back-up at second base (48 games) behind Tony Lazzeri
(77 games).
(American Association
), to complete an earlier deal made in June 1931 for Johnny Murphy
, Jack Saltzgaver
, cash, and 2 players to be named.
, who had selected him off of waivers in June.
purchased Reese's contract from the Cardinals in February 1933. He hit .330 in 104 games, but missed a large part of the season because of injuries and illness.
In 1934 he batted .311, with 12 triples, and led all second basemen in fielding percentage (.972).
The 1935 and 1936 seasons found him still with the Angels.
, where he hit .314 and helped the Padres win the Governor's Cup.
1938 was his last year in the PCL.
, Reese served briefly in the Army, from November 1942 to July 1943. Assigned to the 12th Armored Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky
, he managed the baseball team there.
After the war he scouted for the Boston Braves
for two years, then returned to San Diego as a coach from 1948 until 1960.
In June 1960, he was appointed manager at San Diego, and his team went 34–18 for the rest of the season. He started 1961 as manager, but resigned because he felt he was not cut out to be a manager. "I'm best suited as a liaison man, as a coach," he said. "I just am not suited to give a guy hell."
From 1963 until 1970 he coached at Hawaii, Seattle, and Portland, Oregon
; then he scouted for the Montreal Expos
.
He threw out the ceremonial first pitch
at the 1989 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
, played at Anaheim Stadium
.
Reese never married, had no children, and was mostly estranged from his extended family. In 1972, at age 71, he asked the Angels for a job, and was hired as conditioning coach, whose job was to get the players into shape. Reese's main specialty, however, was hitting fungos in practice, using a bat he made himself. Numerous Angels players remarked on his seemingly uncanny ability to place fungos where he wanted. He even occasionally "pitched" batting practice with his fungo bat, standing at the pitcher's rubber and consistently hitting line drives over the middle of the plate. He was regularly called "the nicest man in baseball", and had a friendship with Nolan Ryan
when he was with the team; Ryan would name one of his sons Reese in his honor. He was listed as an Angels coach for 22 years, until his death on July 13, 1994, in Santa Ana, California
, after a brief illness. His uniform #50 was retired by the club in his memory. Reese is believed to be the oldest person ever to regularly wear a uniform in an official capacity in the history of organized professional baseball in North America. Ted Radcliffe
and Buck O'Neil
made appearances in professional games at older ages, but those were one-off ceremonial events.
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...
second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
, 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...
, and coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
.
In order to avoid the brunt of prejudice
Prejudice
Prejudice is making a judgment or assumption about someone or something before having enough knowledge to be able to do so with guaranteed accuracy, or "judging a book by its cover"...
against Jewish baseball players during that era, Soloman – who was Jewish -- adopted the name of Jimmie Reese, which he used throughout his baseball career.
Although Reese was born in New York City, he grew up in Los Angeles.
Playing career
Much of his career was spent in the Pacific Coast LeaguePacific 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...
, beginning as a batboy
Batboy
A batboy is an individual who carries the baseball bats around to a baseball team. A batboy may also lay out the equipment and mud the baseballs to be used in the game.Mascots and batboys had both been part of baseball since the 1880s....
with the Los Angeles Angels
Los Angeles Angels (PCL)
The Los Angeles Angels were a team based in Los Angeles, California that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903 through 1957, after which they transferred to Spokane, Washington to become the Spokane Indians. Los Angeles would later become the host city to a Major League Baseball team, the...
from 1919 (at least one source claims 1917) to 1923.
Oakland Oaks
In 1924 he signed a contract to play second base with the Oakland OaksOakland Oaks (PCL)
The Oakland Oaks were a minor league baseball team in Oakland, California that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903 through 1955, after which the club transferred to Vancouver, British Columbia...
.
In 1927, Reese batted .295 in 191 games and led the PCL in fielding for second basemen (.984), as the Oaks won their first pennant in 15 years.
New York Yankees
In September 1927 he was traded by Oakland to the New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for Lyn Lary
Lyn Lary
Lynford Hobart Lary was a shortstop in Major League Baseball from through , primarily for the New York Yankees. Lary batted and threw right-handed...
and $100,000 ($ today).
He was called up to 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 1930. Reese played for the Yankees in 1930 and 1931, and was most noted for being the roommate of Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
(or, as Reese explained, he “roomed with Ruth’s suitcase”).
In 1930 he batted .346 in 188 at bats, striking out only 8 times. Only Lou Gehrig
Lou Gehrig
Henry Louis "Lou" Gehrig , nicknamed "The Iron Horse" for his durability, was an American Major League Baseball first baseman. He played his entire 17-year baseball career for the New York Yankees . Gehrig set several major league records. He holds the record for most career grand slams...
and Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
hit for higher averages on the team. He was the primary back-up at second base (48 games) behind Tony Lazzeri
Tony Lazzeri
Anthony Michael "Tony" Lazzeri was an American Major League Baseball player during the 1920s and 1930s, predominantly with the New York Yankees. He was part of the famed "Murderers' Row" Yankee batting lineup of the late 1920s , along with Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Bob Meusel...
(77 games).
St. Paul Saints
In November 1931 he was sent by the Yankees to the St. Paul SaintsSt. Paul Saints
The St. Paul Saints are a professional baseball team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the United States. The Saints are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
(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...
), to complete an earlier deal made in June 1931 for Johnny Murphy
Johnny Murphy
John Joseph Murphy was an All-Star American right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who later became a front office executive in the game.-Formative relief pitcher:...
, Jack Saltzgaver
Jack Saltzgaver
Otto Hamlin Saltzgaver was a United States Major League Baseball player from 1932 to 1937 for the New York Yankees and again in 1945 for the Pittsburgh Pirates. At the time he played for the Pirates, Saltzgaver, an infielder, was the oldest active Major League player.-External links:...
, cash, and 2 players to be named.
St. Louis Cardinals
Reese played the 1932 season with the St. Louis CardinalsSt. 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...
, who had selected him off of waivers in June.
Los Angeles Angels (PCL)
The Los Angeles Angels (PCL)Los Angeles Angels (PCL)
The Los Angeles Angels were a team based in Los Angeles, California that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903 through 1957, after which they transferred to Spokane, Washington to become the Spokane Indians. Los Angeles would later become the host city to a Major League Baseball team, the...
purchased Reese's contract from the Cardinals in February 1933. He hit .330 in 104 games, but missed a large part of the season because of injuries and illness.
In 1934 he batted .311, with 12 triples, and led all second basemen in fielding percentage (.972).
The 1935 and 1936 seasons found him still with the Angels.
San Diego Padres
In 1937 he was traded to the San Diego Padres (PCL)San Diego Padres (PCL)
The San Diego Padres were a minor league baseball team which played in the Pacific Coast League from 1936 through 1968. The team that would eventually become the Padres was well traveled prior to moving to San Diego. It began its existence in 1903 as the Sacramento Solons, a charter member of the PCL...
, where he hit .314 and helped the Padres win the Governor's Cup.
1938 was his last year in the PCL.
After his playing career
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Reese served briefly in the Army, from November 1942 to July 1943. Assigned to the 12th Armored Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Fort Campbell is a United States Army installation located astraddle the Kentucky-Tennessee border between Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and Clarksville, Tennessee...
, he managed the baseball team there.
After the war he scouted for the Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for two years, then returned to San Diego as a coach from 1948 until 1960.
In June 1960, he was appointed manager at San Diego, and his team went 34–18 for the rest of the season. He started 1961 as manager, but resigned because he felt he was not cut out to be a manager. "I'm best suited as a liaison man, as a coach," he said. "I just am not suited to give a guy hell."
From 1963 until 1970 he coached at Hawaii, Seattle, and Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
; then he scouted for the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
.
He threw out the ceremonial first pitch
Ceremonial first pitch
The ceremonial first ball is a longstanding ritual of American baseball in which a guest of honor throws a ball to mark the end of pregame festivities and the start of the game. Originally, the guest threw a ball from his/her place in the grandstand to the pitcher or catcher of the home team...
at the 1989 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
1989 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1989 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 60th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 11, 1989 at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California, the home of...
, played at Anaheim Stadium
Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Angel Stadium of Anaheim is a modern-style ballpark located in Anaheim, California. It is the home ballpark to Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of the American League, and was previously home to the NFL's Los Angeles Rams...
.
Reese never married, had no children, and was mostly estranged from his extended family. In 1972, at age 71, he asked the Angels for a job, and was hired as conditioning coach, whose job was to get the players into shape. Reese's main specialty, however, was hitting fungos in practice, using a bat he made himself. Numerous Angels players remarked on his seemingly uncanny ability to place fungos where he wanted. He even occasionally "pitched" batting practice with his fungo bat, standing at the pitcher's rubber and consistently hitting line drives over the middle of the plate. He was regularly called "the nicest man in baseball", and had a friendship with Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
when he was with the team; Ryan would name one of his sons Reese in his honor. He was listed as an Angels coach for 22 years, until his death on July 13, 1994, in Santa Ana, California
Santa Ana, California
Santa Ana is the county seat and second most populous city in Orange County, California, and with a population of 324,528 at the 2010 census, Santa Ana is the 57th-most populous city in the United States....
, after a brief illness. His uniform #50 was retired by the club in his memory. Reese is believed to be the oldest person ever to regularly wear a uniform in an official capacity in the history of organized professional baseball in North America. Ted Radcliffe
Ted Radcliffe
Theodore Roosevelt "Double Duty" Radcliffe was at his death thought to be the oldest living professional baseball player , one of only a handful of major league players who lived past their 100th birthdays, and a former star in the...
and Buck O'Neil
Buck O'Neil
John Jordan "Buck" O'Neil was a first baseman and manager in the Negro American League, mostly with the Kansas City Monarchs. After his playing days, he worked as a scout, and became the first African American coach in Major League Baseball...
made appearances in professional games at older ages, but those were one-off ceremonial events.