Sammy Taylor (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Samuel Douglas "Sammy" Taylor (born February 27, 1933 in Woodruff, South Carolina
) is a former Major League Baseball
catcher who played from 1958
to 1963
for the Chicago Cubs
, New York Mets
, Cincinnati Reds
and Cleveland Indians
.
Signed by the Milwaukee Braves in 1956
, Taylor was traded with Taylor Phillips
to the Cubs for Eddie Haas
, Don Kaiser
and Bob Rush
on December 5, 1957
. He made his big league debut on April 20, 1958
against the St. Louis Cardinals
. Appearing as a pinch hitter for Gene Fodge
, he drew a walk in his first plate appearance. Overall, Taylor appeared in 96 games in 1958, hitting .259 with 78 hits, six home runs and 36 RBI.
In 110 games in 1959
, Taylor hit .269 with 13 home runs and 43 RBI in 110 games. His 13 intentional walks were the fourth most that season. Taylor was involved in a rather peculiar situation in a game on June 30 of that year, between the St. Louis Cardinals
and Chicago Cubs
. Stan Musial
was at the plate, with a count of 3-1. Pitcher Bob Anderson
's next pitch was errant, evading Taylor and rolling all the way to the backstop. Umpire Vic Delmore
called ball four on the pitcher, however Anderson and Taylor contended that Musial foul tip
ped the ball. Because the ball was still in play, and because Delmore was embroiled in an argument with the catcher and pitcher, Musial took it upon himself to try for second base. Seeing that Musial was trying for second, Alvin Dark
ran to the backstop to retrieve the ball. The ball wound up in the hands of field announcer Pat Pieper
, but Dark ended up getting it back anyway. Absentmindedly, however, Delmore pulled out a new ball and gave it to Taylor. Anderson finally noticed that Musial was trying for second, took the new ball, and threw it to second baseman Tony Taylor
. To Anderson's disappointment, the ball flew over Tony Taylor's head into the outfield. Dark, at the same time that Anderson threw the new ball, threw the original ball to shortstop Ernie Banks
. Musial, though, did not see Dark's throw and only noticed Anderson's ball fly over the second baseman's head, so he tried to go to third base. On his way there, he was tagged by Banks, and after a delay he was ruled out.
Taylor slumped in 1960
, hitting only .207 in 150 at-bats. He lost his starting catching role that year and played in only 74 games.
He was the team's second most used catcher in 1961
, behind Dick Bertell
. In 1961, he hit .238 with eight home runs and 23 RBI in 235 at-bats (89 games).
He began the 1962
season with the Cubs, hitting .133 in 15 at-bats with them. On April 26, he was traded to the Mets for Bobby Gene Smith
. In 68 games with the Mets, he hit .222 with three home runs and 20 RBI. Overall, he hit .214 in 173 at-bats that season.
In 1963
- his final season - Taylor played for three different teams. He began the year with the Mets and hit .257 in 41 at-bats with them. On July 1, he was traded with Charlie Neal
to the Reds for another catcher, Jesse Gonder
. He played in three games for the Reds, collecting no hits in six at-bats. On August 1, he was traded to the Indians for Gene Green
. He collected three hits in 10 at-bats for the Indians. Overall, he hit .235 with no home runs and seven RBI in 51 at-bats. He played his final game on August 6.
Overall, Taylor played six years in the majors, hitting .245 with 33 home runs and 147 RBI in 473 games.
Woodruff, South Carolina
Woodruff is a city in Woodruff is a city in Woodruff is a city in [[Spartanburg County, South Carolina, located in the "Upstate" area...
) is a former 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...
catcher who played from 1958
1958 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Milwaukee Braves ; Bob Turley, MVP*All-Star Game, July 8 at Memorial Stadium: American League, 4-3-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Marianao *College World Series: USC...
to 1963
1963 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers beat New York Yankees ; Sandy Koufax, MVP*All-Star Game, July 9 at Municipal Stadium: National League, 5–3; Willie Mays, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: USC...
for 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...
, New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, 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 Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
.
Signed by the Milwaukee Braves in 1956
1956 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Brooklyn Dodgers ; Don Larsen, MVP*All-Star Game, July 10 at Griffith Stadium: National League, 7-3-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Cienfuegos *College World Series: Minnesota...
, Taylor was traded with Taylor Phillips
Taylor Phillips
William Taylor Phillips , nicknamed "T-Bone," is a retired American professional baseball player, a pitcher in the Major Leagues from -. He would play for the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago White Sox.A left-hander listed at , , Phillips appeared in 147 Major...
to the Cubs for Eddie Haas
Eddie Haas
George Edwin Haas is a former outfielder, coach, manager and scout in American Major League Baseball. Haas spent many years as a skipper in the farm system of the Atlanta Braves and replaced Joe Torre as Atlanta’s manager after the 1984 season...
, Don Kaiser
Don Kaiser
Clyde Donald Kaiser is a retired American professional baseball player who was a pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs between 1955 and 1957....
and Bob Rush
Bob Rush (baseball)
Robert Ransom Rush was a professional baseball player who pitched in Major League Baseball from 1948-60.Rush played for the Milwaukee Braves, Chicago Cubs, and the Chicago White Sox....
on December 5, 1957
1957 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Milwaukee Braves over New York Yankees ; Lew Burdette, MVP*All-Star Game, July 9 at Busch Stadium: American League, 6-5-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Marianao *College World Series: California...
. He made his big league debut on April 20, 1958
1958 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Milwaukee Braves ; Bob Turley, MVP*All-Star Game, July 8 at Memorial Stadium: American League, 4-3-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Marianao *College World Series: USC...
against 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...
. Appearing as a pinch hitter for Gene Fodge
Gene Fodge
Gene Arlan "Suds" Fodge was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played briefly for the Chicago Cubs during the season. Listed at 6' 0", Weight: 175 lb., Fodge batted and threw right handed. He was born in South Bend, Indiana.Fodge was a 1950 graduate of South Bend Central High School,...
, he drew a walk in his first plate appearance. Overall, Taylor appeared in 96 games in 1958, hitting .259 with 78 hits, six home runs and 36 RBI.
In 110 games in 1959
1959 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Chicago White Sox ; Larry Sherry, MVP*All-Star Game , July 7 at Forbes Field: National League, 5-4*All-Star Game , August 3 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: American League, 5-3...
, Taylor hit .269 with 13 home runs and 43 RBI in 110 games. His 13 intentional walks were the fourth most that season. Taylor was involved in a rather peculiar situation in a game on June 30 of that year, between 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...
and 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...
. Stan Musial
Stan Musial
Stanley Frank "Stan" Musial is a retired professional baseball player who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals . Nicknamed "Stan the Man", Musial was a record 24-time All-Star selection , and is widely considered to be one of the greatest hitters in baseball...
was at the plate, with a count of 3-1. Pitcher Bob Anderson
Bob Anderson (baseball)
Robert Carl Anderson , is a former professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1957-1963. He would play for the Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers....
's next pitch was errant, evading Taylor and rolling all the way to the backstop. Umpire Vic Delmore
Vic Delmore
Victor "Deacon" Delmore was an umpire who worked in the National League from 1956 to 1959. His professional umpiring career began in 1948 in the KITTY League. He worked in the Southern Association from 1949 to 1955...
called ball four on the pitcher, however Anderson and Taylor contended that Musial foul tip
Foul tip
In baseball, a foul tip is defined as "a batted ball that goes sharp directly from the bat to the catcher’s hands and is legally caught. It is not a foul tip unless caught and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play."...
ped the ball. Because the ball was still in play, and because Delmore was embroiled in an argument with the catcher and pitcher, Musial took it upon himself to try for second base. Seeing that Musial was trying for second, Alvin Dark
Alvin Dark
Alvin Ralph Dark , nicknamed "Blackie" and "The Swamp Fox", is a former shortstop and manager in Major League Baseball who played for five National League teams from 1946 to 1960. Named the major leagues' Rookie of the Year with the Boston Braves when he batted .322...
ran to the backstop to retrieve the ball. The ball wound up in the hands of field announcer Pat Pieper
Pat Pieper
Frank "Pat" Pieper served as the Chicago Cubs field announcer from to , a span of 59 years. Coincidentally, his first year as announcer was also the first season in which Wrigley Field was used as the home park of the Cubs...
, but Dark ended up getting it back anyway. Absentmindedly, however, Delmore pulled out a new ball and gave it to Taylor. Anderson finally noticed that Musial was trying for second, took the new ball, and threw it to second baseman Tony Taylor
Tony Taylor
Antonio Nemesio Taylor is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball. From 1958 through , Taylor played for the Chicago Cubs , Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers...
. To Anderson's disappointment, the ball flew over Tony Taylor's head into the outfield. Dark, at the same time that Anderson threw the new ball, threw the original ball to shortstop Ernie Banks
Ernie Banks
Ernest "Ernie" Banks , nicknamed "Mr. Cub", is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and first baseman. He played his entire 19-year baseball career with the Chicago Cubs . He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.-High school years:Banks was a letterman and standout in football,...
. Musial, though, did not see Dark's throw and only noticed Anderson's ball fly over the second baseman's head, so he tried to go to third base. On his way there, he was tagged by Banks, and after a delay he was ruled out.
Taylor slumped in 1960
1960 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over New York Yankees ; Bobby Richardson, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Municipal Stadium: National League, 5-3*All-Star Game , July 13 at Yankee Stadium: National League, 6-0...
, hitting only .207 in 150 at-bats. He lost his starting catching role that year and played in only 74 games.
He was the team's second most used catcher in 1961
1961 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Cincinnati Reds ; Whitey Ford, MVP*All-Star Game , July 11 at Candlestick Park: National League, 5-4 *All-Star Game , July 31 at Fenway Park: 1–1 tie...
, behind Dick Bertell
Dick Bertell
Richard George Bertell was a right-handed professional baseball catcher who played Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants from 1960 to 1967...
. In 1961, he hit .238 with eight home runs and 23 RBI in 235 at-bats (89 games).
He began the 1962
1962 in baseball
The 1962 season is perhaps most notable for the dismal 40–120 record of the New York Mets, the third-worst winning percentage and the record for most games lost since 1900.-Major League Baseball:...
season with the Cubs, hitting .133 in 15 at-bats with them. On April 26, he was traded to the Mets for Bobby Gene Smith
Bobby Gene Smith
Bobby Gene Smith , is a retired professional baseball player who played outfielder in the Major Leagues from -. He would play for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and Los Angeles Angels.-External links:...
. In 68 games with the Mets, he hit .222 with three home runs and 20 RBI. Overall, he hit .214 in 173 at-bats that season.
In 1963
1963 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers beat New York Yankees ; Sandy Koufax, MVP*All-Star Game, July 9 at Municipal Stadium: National League, 5–3; Willie Mays, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: USC...
- his final season - Taylor played for three different teams. He began the year with the Mets and hit .257 in 41 at-bats with them. On July 1, he was traded with Charlie Neal
Charlie Neal
Charles Lenard Neal was an American second baseman in Major League Baseball. He was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 1950, and won the 1959 World Series after the team moved to Los Angeles. He hit two home runs in Game 2 of the Series, at Chicago's Comiskey Park...
to the Reds for another catcher, Jesse Gonder
Jesse Gonder
Jesse Lemar Gonder , was a professional baseball player who played catcher in the Major Leagues from -. He played for the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Braves, and Pittsburgh Pirates....
. He played in three games for the Reds, collecting no hits in six at-bats. On August 1, he was traded to the Indians for Gene Green
Gene Green (baseball)
Gene Leroy Green was a Major League Baseball outfielder-catcher. Born in Los Angeles, California, he was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals before the 1952 season. He played for the Cardinals , Baltimore Orioles , Washington Senators , Cleveland Indians , and Cincinnati Reds...
. He collected three hits in 10 at-bats for the Indians. Overall, he hit .235 with no home runs and seven RBI in 51 at-bats. He played his final game on August 6.
Overall, Taylor played six years in the majors, hitting .245 with 33 home runs and 147 RBI in 473 games.