Joe Abreu
Encyclopedia
Joseph Lawrence "Joe" Abreu (May 24, 1913 – March 17, 1993) was a Portuguese American
Major League Baseball
infielder
. He played nine seasons in professional baseball
, one at the major league level. He served in the United States Navy
during World War II
.
in 1906. He was born on May 24, 1913 in Oakland, California. Abreu had three brothers who were professional boxers
. Abreu graduated from McClymonds High School
in 1934, and after graduation, Abreu coached a local American Legion Baseball
team. He spent the summer of 1935 working as a handyman
at wholesale liquor firm in San Francisco, California
. That summer, he played semi-professional baseball with the Central Banks of the Berkeley City League where he attracted attention from many professional scouts.
.396, helping them win the Northwest League
pennant. The next season, Abreu split time between the Class-B Spokane Hawks, and the Class-AA Oakland Oaks
. With the Hawks, he hit .324 with 23 doubles
, 12 triples
, and 4 home runs in 91 games. He led the team in triples, was second in batting average, and was third in doubles. With the Oaks that season, Abreu batted .148 with 1 double, and 1 triple in 19 games. In , Abreu spent the entire season with the Oaks. He batted .299 with 28 doubles, 4 triples, and 11 home runs in 167 games. He led the Oaks in home runs, and was second in doubles that season. The next season, , he again spent the entire season with the Oaks batting .288 with 14 doubles, 9 triples, and 4 home runs in 140 games. Abreu played for the Class-A-1 Fort Worth Cats
of the Texas League
in . He batted .250 with 27 doubles, 6 triples, and 10 home runs in 158 games. Abreu began the season with the Fort Worth Cats and batted .235 with 3 triples in 13 games. He spent the second half of the 1941 season with the Milwaukee Brewers
in the Chicago Cubs
organization. He batted .284 with 12 doubles, 2 triples, and 11 home runs in 100 games.
with the Brewers in when he learned by telegram that he had been sold to the Los Angeles Angels
, and a week later was sold to the Birmingham Barons
, who sent him to their parent club, the Cincinnati Reds
. He made his major league debut on April 23, 1942 against the Pittsburgh Pirates
. His next game, he hit his first home run off of Lefty Wilkie
. In 9 games with the Reds, Abreu batted .214 with 1 double, 1 home run, and 3 RBIs.
. He was assigned to the Class-AA Newark Bears
and that season Abreu batted .236 with 4 doubles, and 1 triple in 30 games.
in California. In service, Abreu continued to play baseball in the Army and Navy League where he was selected as an All-Star. He also played with the Golden Glows of the Alameda Summer and Winter leagues. Abreu was coached under then-Reds' catcher
Ray Lamanno
on the Livermore Naval Air Station baseball team, and he played with major leaguers Bill Rigney
, Cookie Lavagetto
, and Ray Scarborough
.
, and the Class-D Dayton Indians of the Ohio State League
. With the Brownies, Abreu both managed them and batted and played for them. He batted .290 with 28 doubles, 2 triples, and 8 home runs in 104 games with Newnan. During his tenure with Dayton, Abreu batted .228 with 3 doubles, 1 triple, and 1 home run in 25 games. In his final professional season in which he played, Abreu played and managed the Class-C Tampa Smokers
of the Florida International League
. With Tampa, he batted .265 with 7 doubles, and 1 home run in 25 games.
rule) pennant. During the mid-1950s, Abreu played softball with the Naval Supply Center team, and was involved in local baseball clinics in the area.
, and was an amateur magician. His interest was sparked after former Detroit Tigers
and Oakland Oaks
' pitcher
and professional magician Carl Zamloch
put on a magic show at his high school. During his tenure with the Reds, Abreu claimed to know 400 card tricks and was a member of the National Society of Magicians. Abreu died on March 17, 1993 in Hayward, California
at the age of 79 years old, and was buried at Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery in Seattle, Washington
.
Portuguese American
Portuguese Americans are citizens of the United States whose ancestry originates in the southwest European nation of Portugal, including the offshore island groups of the Azores and Madeira....
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...
infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
. He played nine seasons in 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....
, one at the major league level. He served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II
World 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...
.
Early life
Abreu was the sixth of nine children in his family, and his parents immigrated from PortugalPortugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
in 1906. He was born on May 24, 1913 in Oakland, California. Abreu had three brothers who were professional boxers
Professional Boxing
Professional boxing, or prizefighting, emerged in the early twentieth century as boxing gradually attained legitimacy and became a regulated, sanctioned sport. Professional boxing bouts are fought for a purse which is divided among the fighters and promoters as determined by contract...
. Abreu graduated from McClymonds High School
McClymonds High School
McClymonds High School is a public high school in the West Oakland neighborhood of Oakland, California, USA.In addition to being the third oldest high school in Oakland, it is the larger of the two high schools in West Oakland , and the only high school in West Oakland operated by the Oakland...
in 1934, and after graduation, Abreu coached a local American Legion Baseball
American Legion Baseball
American Legion Baseball is a variety of amateur baseball played by teenage boys in 50 states in the USA. More than five thousand teams participate each year. The American Legion Department of South Dakota established the program in 1925 at Milbank, South Dakota...
team. He spent the summer of 1935 working as a handyman
Handyman
A handyman is a person skilled at a wide range of repairs, typically around the home. These tasks include trade skills, repair work, maintenance work, both interior and exterior, and are sometimes described as "odd jobs", "fix-up tasks", and include light plumbing jobs such as fixing a leaky toilet...
at wholesale liquor firm in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
. That summer, he played semi-professional baseball with the Central Banks of the Berkeley City League where he attracted attention from many professional scouts.
New York Yankees
In , Abreu began his professional career with the Yakima Pippins where he battedBatting 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 :...
.396, helping them win the Northwest League
Northwest League
The Northwest League of Professional Baseball is a Class A-Short Season minor baseball league. The league is the descendant of the Western International League which ran as a class B league from 1937-1951 and class A from 1952-1954...
pennant. The next season, Abreu split time between the Class-B Spokane Hawks, and the Class-AA Oakland Oaks
Oakland 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...
. With the Hawks, he hit .324 with 23 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 12 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, and 4 home runs in 91 games. He led the team in triples, was second in batting average, and was third in doubles. With the Oaks that season, Abreu batted .148 with 1 double, and 1 triple in 19 games. In , Abreu spent the entire season with the Oaks. He batted .299 with 28 doubles, 4 triples, and 11 home runs in 167 games. He led the Oaks in home runs, and was second in doubles that season. The next season, , he again spent the entire season with the Oaks batting .288 with 14 doubles, 9 triples, and 4 home runs in 140 games. Abreu played for the Class-A-1 Fort Worth Cats
Fort Worth Cats
The Fort Worth Cats are a professional baseball team based in Fort Worth, Texas, in the United States. The Cats are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 2002 season the Cats...
of the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
in . He batted .250 with 27 doubles, 6 triples, and 10 home runs in 158 games. Abreu began the season with the Fort Worth Cats and batted .235 with 3 triples in 13 games. He spent the second half of the 1941 season with the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers (AA)
The 1891 Milwaukee Brewers were an American professional baseball team and a member of the minor league Western Association and Western League and the major league American Association. They were managed by Charlie Cushman and finished their major league stint with a record of 21-15...
in the 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...
organization. He batted .284 with 12 doubles, 2 triples, and 11 home runs in 100 games.
Cincinnati Reds
Abreu was participating in spring trainingSpring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
with the Brewers in when he learned by telegram that he had been sold to 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...
, and a week later was sold to the Birmingham Barons
Birmingham Barons
The Birmingham Barons are a minor league baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox major-league club....
, who sent him to their parent club, the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. He made his major league debut on April 23, 1942 against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. His next game, he hit his first home run off of Lefty Wilkie
Lefty Wilkie
Aldon Jay 'Lefty' Wilkie was a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher, who played three seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates 1941, 1942 and 1946....
. In 9 games with the Reds, Abreu batted .214 with 1 double, 1 home run, and 3 RBIs.
Return to the Yankees
On July 16, 1942, the Reds traded Abreu along with Jim Turner to the New York Yankees with Frankie KelleherFrankie Kelleher
Francis Eugene Kelleher was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. He played for the Cincinnati Reds.-External links:...
. He was assigned to the Class-AA 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 &...
and that season Abreu batted .236 with 4 doubles, and 1 triple in 30 games.
World War II
Abreu began his service with the United States Navy in 1943. During his service in World War II, Abreu was stationed at Livermore Naval Air StationLivermore Naval Air Station
Livermore Naval Air Station was a United States Navy military facility located in Livermore, California....
in California. In service, Abreu continued to play baseball in the Army and Navy League where he was selected as an All-Star. He also played with the Golden Glows of the Alameda Summer and Winter leagues. Abreu was coached under then-Reds' 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...
Ray Lamanno
Ray Lamanno
Raymond Simon Lamanno , is a former professional baseball player who played catcher in the Major Leagues from 1941-1948. He would play for the Cincinnati Reds. In 1946 Lamanno was selected as a national league all-star. -External links:...
on the Livermore Naval Air Station baseball team, and he played with major leaguers Bill Rigney
Bill Rigney
William Joseph Rigney was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball. A native of Alameda, California, he batted and threw right-handed....
, Cookie Lavagetto
Cookie Lavagetto
Harry Arthur "Cookie" Lavagetto was a third baseman, manager and coach in American Major League Baseball. He is most widely known as the pinch hitter whose double ruined Bill Bevens' no-hitter in Game 4 of the 1947 World Series and gave his Brooklyn Dodgers a breathtaking victory over the New...
, and Ray Scarborough
Ray Scarborough
Rae Wilson Scarborough was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Washington Senators , Chicago White Sox , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers . Scarborough batted and threw right-handed...
.
Later career
Abreu returned to professional baseball after the war. He was assigned to the Class-D Wellsville Yankees where he began his career as a player-manager in . He batted .352 with 24 doubles, 1 triple, and 21 home runs in 106 games. Abreu was tied for first in the Pennsylvania-Ontario-New York League in home runs that season. After the season, Abreu was given an unconditional release. The next season, , Abreu split the season between the Class-D Newnan Brownies of the Georgia-Alabama LeagueGeorgia-Alabama League
The Georgia-Alabama League was a minor league baseball league that operated in its two namesake states. The circuit first operated from 1913 to 1917, was revived from 1928 to 1930, then returned to operation for a final time from 1946 through 1951. The league's existence thus spanned some 39 years,...
, and the Class-D Dayton Indians of the Ohio State League
Ohio State League
The first Ohio State League was a baseball league in 1887 before changing names to the Tri-State League.The first 20th century Ohio State League started in 1908 as a class D loop and ran through 1916. Another Ohio State League was formed in 1936 and ran through 1947 except for a break in '42-'43...
. With the Brownies, Abreu both managed them and batted and played for them. He batted .290 with 28 doubles, 2 triples, and 8 home runs in 104 games with Newnan. During his tenure with Dayton, Abreu batted .228 with 3 doubles, 1 triple, and 1 home run in 25 games. In his final professional season in which he played, Abreu played and managed the Class-C Tampa Smokers
Tampa Smokers
The Tampa Smokers was a name used from 1919 to 1954 by a series of minor league and semi-professional baseball teams based in Tampa, Florida. The nickname was a nod to the local cigar industry, which was the most important industry in Tampa during the years in which the Smokers were active.-Florida...
of the Florida International League
Florida International League
The Florida International League was a lower- to mid-level circuit in American and Cuban minor league baseball that existed from 1946 through July 27, 1954. It was designated Class C for its first three seasons, then upgraded to Class B in 1949 for the final 5½ years of its existence.The FIL...
. With Tampa, he batted .265 with 7 doubles, and 1 home run in 25 games.
Later life
After his professional playing career was over, Abreu managed one other team in professional baseball before exiting the pro-level. He was one of four managers of the Class-D Santa Rosa Cats in . Abreu asked to be released from Tampa to tend to issues back home in Oakland, California. He then returned to his native California to play for the semi-professional Guy’s Drugs of Oakland who won the Bush Rod Winter League (the first league to use the designated hitterDesignated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
rule) pennant. During the mid-1950s, Abreu played softball with the Naval Supply Center team, and was involved in local baseball clinics in the area.
Personal
Abreu married Berenice Marshall on January 4, 1939. Abreu was an enthusiast of magicMagic (illusion)
Magic is a performing art that entertains audiences by staging tricks or creating illusions of seemingly impossible or supernatural feats using natural means...
, and was an amateur magician. His interest was sparked after former 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...
and Oakland Oaks
Oakland 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...
' pitcher
Pitcher
In 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...
and professional magician Carl Zamloch
Carl Zamloch
He was also the coach of the Cal Bears' soccer tearm from 1925-1931, and during Zamloch's time as head coach, the soccer team had a record of 34-17-7. -The Oakland Oaks:...
put on a magic show at his high school. During his tenure with the Reds, Abreu claimed to know 400 card tricks and was a member of the National Society of Magicians. Abreu died on March 17, 1993 in Hayward, California
Hayward, California
Hayward is a city located in the East Bay in Alameda County, California. With a population of 144,186, Hayward is the sixth largest city in the San Francisco Bay Area and the third largest in Alameda County. Hayward was ranked as the 37th most populous municipality in California. It is included in...
at the age of 79 years old, and was buried at Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
.