A%20trio%20oF%20potential%20AlBie,%20Willie%20and%20SAM

1
A trio oF potentialAlBie, Willie and SAM

• Bob Davids SABR Chapter Meeting
• January 24, 2009

2
(No Transcript)
3
(No Transcript)
4
Albie Pearson

• Originally signed by the Boston Red Sox as an
  amateur free agent in 1953.
• Traded after the 1957 season with Norm Zauchin to
  the Washington Senators for Pete Runnels.
• Voted MLB Rookie of the Year in 1958 and The
  Sporting News Rookie of the Year.

5

• At 23, Pearson played in 146 games, collected 146
  hits, including 25 doubles and batted .275.
• MVP voting Pearson 14, Ryne Duren of the
  Yankees, 7, and GaryBell of the Indians, 3.
• Sophomore slump Batted .188 in 25 games traded
  to the Orioles forLenny Green on May 29, 1959.

6

• Batted .244 in 48 games forthe Orioles in 1960
  spent most of the season in Rochester.
• Drafted by the Los AngelesAngels in the
  expansion draft at age 26.
• Played regularly for the Angels for five years.

7

• Led AL in runs (115) in 1962 batted .305 in
  1963, fourth in the league behind Yaz (.321),
  Kaline (.312) and Rollins (.307). Named to the
  1963 AL All-Star team.
• Back problems resurfaced in 1964. Two years
  later, he was out of baseball at age 31.
• Lifetime Pearson played in 988 games in nine
  seasons and batted .270.

8

• Debuted with the Orioles at age 25 on Sept. 18,
  1958, after eight years in the minors.
• In 1959, played in 142 games, hit 13 homers and
  batted .275. Named one of The Sporting News
  Rookie Stars of 59 and voted to the Topps
  All-Star Rookie Team.

9

• Once played in the Orioles outfield with no shoes
  during a storm he was afraid the spikes would
  attract lightning.
• In 1960, Orioles were pennant contenders traded
  Tasby to the Red Sox for outfielder Gene Stephens
  on June 29.
• Drafted by the Senators in the expansion draft in
  Dec. 1960.

10

• Was Senators Opening Daycenterfielder in 1961.
  Played 141 games and had a career-high 17 homers
  and 63 RBI.
• Just 11 games into the 1962 season, he was traded
  to Cleveland for pitchers Steve Hamilton and Don
  Rudolph.
• Played 127 games over two seasons for the Indians
  and retired after the 63 season at age 30.

11

• Played in the Negro Leagues for the Nashville
  Elite Giants from 1957-58 played for Rochester
  in 1962-63.
• As a 25-year-old rookie in 1964, he slugged 22
  homers, drove in 71 runs and batted .263. Tied
  Orioles rookie home run record.
• Never came close to matching his rookie numbers
  hit just 22 more homers in five seasons.

12

• Beaned by Earl Wilson of the Red Sox on Aug. 19,
  1964, in the second inning. Batted .215 the
  remainder of the season.
• It affected my hitting. Id pull my head out
  up there at the plate. I wouldnt stay with the
  inside pitches. I would bail out and drop my
  hands.

13

• Played 89 games for the Os in 1966 and hit just
  .210. Didnt play in the World Series.
• After batting .183 in 62 games, his contract was
  sold to the Senators in November 1967.
• Batted .191 in 57 games in 1968 and .193 in 33
  games in 1969.
• Played final game on July 26, 1969 at age 30.

14
Questions