Pete Fox
Encyclopedia
Ervin "Pete" Fox was a Major League Baseball
right fielder
. He played thirteen seasons in the American League
with the Detroit Tigers
(1933–40) and Boston Red Sox
(1941–45).
Born in Evansville, Indiana
, Fox batted
.288 in 128 games as a center fielder
during his rookie season in . He switched to right field the next season – where he would primarily play for the rest of his career – and led the league with four outfield double plays as the Tigers won the American League pennant
. He batted .286 (8-28) in a seven-game series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals
in the 1934 World Series
.
Fox hit a career-high 15 home runs in to help the Tigers return to the World Series
. His hitting was an integral part of the Detroit offense in 1935. On June 30, 1935, Fox drove in 10 runs in a double-header against the St. Louis Browns. http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/F/Fox_Pete.stm During June and July 1935, Fox also had a 29-game hitting streak.
During the six-game 1935 World Series
win over the Chicago Cubs
, he led the team in hits (10), RBIs
(4), and batting average (.385).
In he led all AL outfielders in games played (155) and fielding percentage
(.994). Fox had one pinch hit at bat in the 1940 World Series
between the Cincinnati Reds
and Tigers. In three World Series, he played 14 games and batted .327 in 55 at bat
s.
Fox moved to the Red Sox in . He was an All-Star in the season, in which he batted .315 with 37 doubles
. In 1,461 career games Fox batted .298 with 1,678 hits, 314 doubles, 65 home runs and 694 RBIs.
After playing in the Pacific Coast League in 1946 he managed at Pawtucket (New England), Waterloo (Three-I) and Hot Springs (Cotton States). He later scouted for the Chicago White Sox. When cataracts impaired Fox’s vision in the early 1950s, he took a job with a Detroit firm owned by a boyhood friend from Evansville.
Fox’s son Don pitched in the Red Sox chain. Another son, James, was an all-city football player at Evansville’s Bosse High School. Fox died in Detroit, Michigan
at 57, a victim of cancer. Fox was interred at Woodlawn Cemetery
.
A member of Evansville’s Sports Hall of Fame, he was inducted into the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980.http://www.indbaseballhalloffame.org/inductees/fox.html
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...
right fielder
Right fielder
A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
. He played thirteen seasons in 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...
with 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...
(1933–40) and 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"...
(1941–45).
Born in Evansville, Indiana
Evansville, Indiana
Evansville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Indiana and the largest city in Southern Indiana. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 117,429. It is the county seat of Vanderburgh County and the regional hub for both Southwestern Indiana and the...
, Fox 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 :...
.288 in 128 games as a center fielder
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
during his rookie season in . He switched to right field the next season – where he would primarily play for the rest of his career – and led the league with four outfield double plays as the Tigers won the American League pennant
American League pennant winners 1901-68
Each season in Major League Baseball , one American League team wins the pennant, signifying that they are the league's champion and have the right to play in the World Series. The pennant was presented to the team with the best win–loss record each year through the 1968 season, after which the...
. He batted .286 (8-28) in a seven-game series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals
St. 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...
in the 1934 World Series
1934 World Series
The 1934 World Series matched the St. Louis Cardinals against the Detroit Tigers, with the Cardinals' "Gashouse Gang" winning in seven games for their third championship in nine years....
.
Fox hit a career-high 15 home runs in to help the Tigers return to the World Series
1935 World Series
The 1935 World Series featured the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago Cubs, with the Tigers winning in six games for their first championship in five Series appearances. They had lost in , , , and ....
. His hitting was an integral part of the Detroit offense in 1935. On June 30, 1935, Fox drove in 10 runs in a double-header against the St. Louis Browns. http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/F/Fox_Pete.stm During June and July 1935, Fox also had a 29-game hitting streak.
During the six-game 1935 World Series
1935 World Series
The 1935 World Series featured the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago Cubs, with the Tigers winning in six games for their first championship in five Series appearances. They had lost in , , , and ....
win over 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...
, he led the team in hits (10), RBIs
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...
(4), and batting average (.385).
In he led all AL outfielders in games played (155) and fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
(.994). Fox had one pinch hit at bat in the 1940 World Series
1940 World Series
The 1940 World Series matched the Cincinnati Reds against the Detroit Tigers, with the Reds winning the Series in seven games for their second championship, their first since the scandal-tainted victory in...
between 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....
and Tigers. In three World Series, he played 14 games and batted .327 in 55 at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s.
Fox moved to the Red Sox in . He was an All-Star in the season, in which he batted .315 with 37 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....
. In 1,461 career games Fox batted .298 with 1,678 hits, 314 doubles, 65 home runs and 694 RBIs.
After playing in the Pacific Coast League in 1946 he managed at Pawtucket (New England), Waterloo (Three-I) and Hot Springs (Cotton States). He later scouted for the Chicago White Sox. When cataracts impaired Fox’s vision in the early 1950s, he took a job with a Detroit firm owned by a boyhood friend from Evansville.
Fox’s son Don pitched in the Red Sox chain. Another son, James, was an all-city football player at Evansville’s Bosse High School. Fox died in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
at 57, a victim of cancer. Fox was interred at Woodlawn Cemetery
Woodlawn Cemetery (Detroit, Michigan)
Woodlawn Cemetery is a cemetery located at 19975 Woodward Avenue, across from the Michigan State Fairgrounds, between 7 Mile Road and 8 Mile Road, in Detroit, Michigan. It is one of the area's most well-known cemeteries.-History:...
.
A member of Evansville’s Sports Hall of Fame, he was inducted into the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980.http://www.indbaseballhalloffame.org/inductees/fox.html