Lefty O'Doul/pagetext
From SABR Encyclopedia
Contents |
[edit] Profile
[edit] Personal
- Resided in San Francisco, California in 1952 and 1953.
- Self-identified as being of Irish-French-German ancestry.
- Lasted seven innings as a pitcher against Salt Lake City in his first professional game.
- Teamed with Bill Nary, a professional golfer, to win the 1949 Bing Crosby pro-amateur title at Pebble Beach.
- Before an arm injury sent him to the outfield, Lefty was considered one of the best hurling prospects in baseball.
- Attended only grade school.
[edit] Achievements
- Before signing with the Seals he had won 17 straight games for the Native Sons.
- Led the National League in batting average with .398 in 1929.
- Led the National League in batting average with .368 in 1932.
- Broke a National League record in 1929 with 254 hits.
- Was at bat in one world series game in which he got a pinch-hit single that drove across two runs and started a six run rally which won the second game of the 1933 series for the New York Giants.
- Holds the record for winning four consecutive Pacific Coast League Governor's Cup Playoffs.
[edit] Outside of baseball
- Played golf and did "baseball duties" during the off-season as of 1952.
- Served in the U.S. Navy in World War I.
[edit] Contract signing
- Was one of only two players drafted by the majors from any minor loop club in 1918; he went to the New York Yankees but was returned due to his arm injury.
- Joined Salt Lake City as an outfielder in 1924 and the next year became the only player ever purchased by the late William Wrigley, Jr.; the price was $30,000.00.
[edit] Sources
- 1952 Pacific Coast League Thumbnail Sketches.
- 1953 Pacific Coast League Sketch Book.
