Buzz Arlett
From SABR Encyclopedia
| Buzz Arlett | |
| Russell Loris Arlett | |
 | |
| Bat/Throw: | S/R |
|---|---|
| Height: | 6' 3" |
| Weight: | 225 |
| Born: | 1899-1-3 at Elmhurst, CA (US) |
| Died: | 1964-5-16 at Minneapolis, MN (US) |
| Interred: | Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN (US) |
| More info | |
| Statistics: | Retrosheet |
|---|---|
| SABR Searches: | Pictures of Buzz Arlett | width:90% height:65% scrolling:auto | Pictures}} · Bibliography |
Russell "Buzz" Arlett was one of the greatest minor leaguers of all time: a 20 game winner as a pitcher who switched to the outfield and hit .341 lifetime.If the designated hitter rule was in
affect in the 1920's and 1930's he would have spent many years in the major leagues instead of just one year.
Minor League Career
Buzz started his baseball career in 1918 as a pitcher with Oakland (Pacific Coast League)and won 22 games and lost 17 in 1919. In 1920 won 29 lost 17, in the next two years he was 19-18 and 25-19. In 1923 he injured his arm Oakland utilizing him as an outfielder for his hitting ability, and played in 149 games and hit .330. After becoming a full time outfielder he always hit around .330 or high; usually stealing at least 20 bases each year. In 1924 The St.Louis Cardinals scouted him but because of his poor fielding lost interest. He was hit in the head while trying to field a fly ball while a scout was watching. The scouts verdict was "he would lose more games fielding than he'd win with this bat". In 1930 the Brooklyn Dodgers were interested, but during an argument an umpire hit him on the head with his mask, an he was out of action for three weeks. The Dodgers lost interest an signed Ike Boone instead. After his one year with the Phillies he was sent to Baltimore (International League)in 1932 were he hit 54 home runs with a .339 average.The following year he hit 39 home runs and .343 average. From 1934 to 1936 he spent time at Minneapolis and Birmingham were he continued his outstanding hitting. In 1937 finished his professional career at Syracuse playing only 4 games before retiring.
Major League Career
He reached the majors in 1931 with the Phillies, and batted .313 and finished fourth in the league in home runs. But his fielding was attrocious when the season ended he was back to the minors for good.
Source
- The Game That Was. Chicago,IL: Contemporary Books, 1996.
- Who's Who in Professional Baseball. New Rochelle,NY: Arlington House, 1973.
