Lou Limmer
Encyclopedia
Louis Limmer, known as Lou (March 10, 1925 - April 1, 2007) was a Major League Baseball
player in 1951 and 1954 for the Philadelphia Athletics
.
Limmer was a first baseman for 13 years (1946–58), two in the Major Leagues (1951; 1954) and 11 in the minors (1946–50; 1952–53; 1955–58). He won two minor league home run titles, finished one short in a third year, and in the top five seven times. He also twice hit the most home runs in the Caribbean Series.
Born in Bronx, New York, Limmer graduated from Manhattan High School of Aviation in 1943. Upon graduation, he joined the Army Air Corps
, where he served until 1946.
.
In 1946, in 40 games for the Lexington
A's of the North Carolina State League he hit .313.
In 1947 he hit .326 for Lexington, with 24 home runs (3rd in the league) and 95 RBIs (5th in the league) in 405 at bats.
With the Lincoln
A's of the Western League in 1948, he hit 28 home runs and had 93 RBIs in 385 at bats. He broke his neck in late August, while sliding into third base. He lost his eyesight temporarily due to the injury, and did not return to complete the season. He still managed to finish sixth in the league in RBIs, and second in home runs.
In 1949, he hit .315 (4th in the league) with a league-leading 29 home runs, and drove in 105 RBIs (3rd) as he scored 100 runs for Lincoln.
He followed that up in 1950, leading the league with both 29 home runs and 111 RBIs for the St. Paul Saints
of the American Association
, earning "Rookie of the Year" honors.http://www.baseballhistorian.com/html/american_heroes.cfm?page=214 Curiously, he hit at least two home runs in every park in the AA - except at home.
Limmer holds the distinction of having hit the last home run
and last base hit for the Athletics before their move to Kansas City
.
In an interesting side note, Limmer was involved in the only all-Jewish confrontation in Major League history. On May 2, 1951, Limmer was batting in a game against the Detroit Tigers
. Pitching for the Tigers was Saul Rogovin
, and catching for the Tigers was Joe Ginsberg
.
In 1952 he played for the A's AAA club in Ottawa
, hitting 23 home runs (4th in the league).
His best offensive year in the major leagues was in 1954, when he had 73 hits and 14 home runs. He earned notice with fans for his prodigious performance in batting practice, and got the nickname "Babe Ruth of Batting Practice" from Philadelphia fans.
In 1955 he hit 28 home runs (3rd in the league) in 416 at bats for the Columbus Jets
and Toronto Maple Leafs
of the International League
, playing both first base and outfield.
In 1958, his last year in baseball, he hit 30 home runs (2nd in the league), a career-high 31 doubles, and had 100 RBIs (4th) and 96 runs scored for the Birmingham Barons
of the Southern Association
.
He later became the only major leaguer to become president of a shul, the Castle Hill
Community Jewish Center in the Bronx.http://www.thejewishweek.com/viewArticle/c36_a15421/News/New_York.html
He died in Boca Raton, Florida
. and is survived by his wife Pearl, sons Craig and Dan, and four grandchildren, David, Sarah, Michael & Michelle.
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...
player in 1951 and 1954 for the Philadelphia Athletics
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....
.
Limmer was a first baseman for 13 years (1946–58), two in the Major Leagues (1951; 1954) and 11 in the minors (1946–50; 1952–53; 1955–58). He won two minor league home run titles, finished one short in a third year, and in the top five seven times. He also twice hit the most home runs in the Caribbean Series.
Born in Bronx, New York, Limmer graduated from Manhattan High School of Aviation in 1943. Upon graduation, he joined the Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
, where he served until 1946.
Baseball career
He was signed by the Philadelphia Athletics as an amateur free agent in 1946. He was scouted and signed by George Halpin and Connie MackConnie Mack (baseball)
Cornelius McGillicuddy, Sr. , better known as Connie Mack, was an American professional baseball player, manager, and team owner. The longest-serving manager in Major League Baseball history, he holds records for wins , losses , and games managed , with his victory total being almost 1,000 more...
.
In 1946, in 40 games for the Lexington
Lexington, North Carolina
Lexington is the county seat of Davidson County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 19,953. It is located in central North Carolina, twenty miles south of Winston-Salem. Major highways include I-85, U.S. Route 29, U.S. Route 70, U.S. Route 52 ...
A's of the North Carolina State League he hit .313.
In 1947 he hit .326 for Lexington, with 24 home runs (3rd in the league) and 95 RBIs (5th in the league) in 405 at bats.
With the Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
A's of the Western League in 1948, he hit 28 home runs and had 93 RBIs in 385 at bats. He broke his neck in late August, while sliding into third base. He lost his eyesight temporarily due to the injury, and did not return to complete the season. He still managed to finish sixth in the league in RBIs, and second in home runs.
In 1949, he hit .315 (4th in the league) with a league-leading 29 home runs, and drove in 105 RBIs (3rd) as he scored 100 runs for Lincoln.
He followed that up in 1950, leading the league with both 29 home runs and 111 RBIs for the St. Paul Saints
St. 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...
of the 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...
, earning "Rookie of the Year" honors.http://www.baseballhistorian.com/html/american_heroes.cfm?page=214 Curiously, he hit at least two home runs in every park in the AA - except at home.
Limmer holds the distinction of having hit the last 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...
and last base hit for the Athletics before their move to 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...
.
In an interesting side note, Limmer was involved in the only all-Jewish confrontation in Major League history. On May 2, 1951, Limmer was batting in a game against the 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...
. Pitching for the Tigers was Saul Rogovin
Saul Rogovin
Saul Walter Rogovin was a professional baseball player.Rogovin was a pitcher over parts of 8 seasons , with the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, and Philadelphia Phillies...
, and catching for the Tigers was Joe Ginsberg
Joe Ginsberg
Myron Nathan "Joe" Ginsberg was a catcher for the Detroit Tigers , Cleveland Indians , Kansas City Athletics , Baltimore Orioles , Chicago White Sox , Boston Red Sox , and New York Mets...
.
In 1952 he played for the A's AAA club in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, hitting 23 home runs (4th in the league).
His best offensive year in the major leagues was in 1954, when he had 73 hits and 14 home runs. He earned notice with fans for his prodigious performance in batting practice, and got the nickname "Babe Ruth of Batting Practice" from Philadelphia fans.
In 1955 he hit 28 home runs (3rd in the league) in 416 at bats for the Columbus Jets
Columbus Jets
The Columbus Jets were a Minor League baseball team that played in Columbus, Ohio from 1955 to 1970. The team moved from Ottawa, Canada where they were known as the Ottawa Athletics. The Jets were a member of the International League. From 1955-56 they were the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City...
and Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
of 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...
, playing both first base and outfield.
In 1958, his last year in baseball, he hit 30 home runs (2nd in the league), a career-high 31 doubles, and had 100 RBIs (4th) and 96 runs scored for 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....
of the Southern Association
Southern Association
The Southern Association was a higher-level minor league in American organized baseball from 1901 through 1961. For most of its existence, the Southern Association was two steps below the Major Leagues; it was graded Class A , Class A1 and Class AA...
.
He later became the only major leaguer to become president of a shul, the Castle Hill
Castle Hill, Bronx
Castle Hill is primarily a residential neighborhood geographically located in the South Central section of the borough of The Bronx in New York City. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 9...
Community Jewish Center in the Bronx.http://www.thejewishweek.com/viewArticle/c36_a15421/News/New_York.html
He died in Boca Raton, Florida
Boca Raton, Florida
Boca Raton is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA, incorporated in May 1925. In the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 74,764; the 2006 population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 86,396. However, the majority of the people under the postal address of Boca Raton, about...
. and is survived by his wife Pearl, sons Craig and Dan, and four grandchildren, David, Sarah, Michael & Michelle.