Birdie Tebbetts
From SoSH
| Born: | November 10, 1912 |
| Birthplace: | Burlington, Vermont |
| Hometown: | |
| Height: | 5' 11" |
| Weight: | 170 lbs |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Right |
| Drafted: | 1934: Amateur Free Agent by the Detroit Tigers |
| College: | Providence College |
| High School: | |
| Other Teams: | Detroit Tigers 1936-1947 Cleveland Indians 1951-52 |
| Years with Boston: | 1947-1950 |
George Robert "Birdie" Tebbetts was born on November 10, 1912 in Burlington, Vermont and raised in Nashua, New Hampshire. As a catcher, Birdie was signed as an amateur free agent by the Detroit Tigers in 1934. To say that baseball was Birdie's life is truly an understatement. Birdie spent 14 years in the major leagues as a catcher, 11 years as a manager, and 28 years as a scout.
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Overall Career
In his overall career, Birdie played in 1162 major league games. Nine years of his career were spent with the Detroit Tigers. After military service from 1943 to 1945 Birdie joined the Red Sox in 1947 where he stayed until 1950. In his four seasons with Boston, Tebbetts hit .287 with 19 home runs, 60 doubles and 189 RBI in 419 at-bats, and made two trips to the All-Star Game in 1948 and 1949.
Following two seasons with the Cleveland Indians, Tebbetts succeeded Buster Mills as manager of the Cincinnati Redlegs prior to the 1954 season. Tebbetts was replaced by Jimmy Dykes late in the 1958 season, but resurfaced as manager of the Milwaukee Braves in 1961. In 1963, Tebbetts succeeded Mel McGaha as skipper of the Cleveland Indians. When a heart attack ended his managing career in 1965, Tebbetts became a scout for 28 years.
Tebbetts' Moments in the Sun
- September 27, 1940: While playing for the Tigers in a game against the Indians, unruly Cleveland fans shower the field with fruit and vegetables delaying the game. At one point‚ a basket of green tomatoes is dropped onto Birdie Tebbetts' head while he sits in the bullpen‚ knocking him out for a few moments. When Birdie recovers‚ he finds the unruly fan‚ now in the hands of the police‚ and punches him.
Awards
- 4-time American League All-Star (1941, 1942, 1948 & 1949)
- 1956 National League Manager of the Year
Trivia
- Birdie received his nickname from his Grandmother who said his voice as a young boy sounded like a bird chirping.
- Birdie was well known for filing no-nonense scouting reports such as this one on a promising pitcher: "Major league stuff and a great arm. Screwy in the head. Eliminate head and I recommend him. Get good surgeon."
- Managed Frank Robinson in his rookie season. He also managed Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews in Milwaukee.
- A member of the Ohio Baseball Hall of Fame.
External Links
- Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
- The Deadball Era
