Matt Batts
From SoSH
| Born: | October 16, 1921 |
| Birthplace: | San Antonio, Texas |
| Hometown: | |
| Height: | 5' 11" |
| Weight: | 200 lbs |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Right |
| Drafted: | 1942: Amateur Free Agent by the Boston Red Sox |
| College: | Baylor University |
| High School: | |
| Other Teams: | St. Louis Browns 1951 Detroit Tigers 1952-1954 Chicago White Sox 1954 Cincinnati Redlegs 1955-1956 |
| Years with Boston: | 1947-1951 |
Matt Batts (born October 16, 1921 in San Antonio, Texas) spent ten seasons in the major leagues as a backup catcher. He appeared in 199 games for the Boston Red Sox from 1947 to 1951.
Contents |
Overall Career
A slap hitter and competent defensive catcher, Batts began his 10-year career as a catcher with the Boston Red Sox. Signed by Boston in 1942, he made his major league debut on September 10, 1947.
The Red Sox traded Batts along with Jim Suchecki, Jim McDonald and $100,000 to the St. Louis Browns for Les Moss in 1951. He would go on to appear in a career high 116 games with Detroit in 1953, hitting .278 with 6 homers and 42 RBI, both career bests. His career wound down with brief appearances with the White Sox in 1954 and the Cincinnati Redlegs in 1955 and 1956.
In a ten-season career, Batts was a .269 hitter with 26 home runs and 220 RBI in 546 games.
Batts' Moment in the Sun
Trivia
- Uncle of Danny Heep
- One of six Red Sox hitters to strike out in succession against White Sox pitcher Bob Kuzava in 1949. Stephens‚ Doerr‚ Zarilla‚ Goodman and Kinder also go down by way of the K, tying an AL record.
Transactions
- Before 1942 Season: Signed by the Boston Red Sox as an amateur free agent.
- May 17, 1951: Traded by the Boston Red Sox with Jim Suchecki, Jim McDonald (PTBNL) and $100,000 to the St. Louis Browns for Les Moss.
- February 14, 1952: Traded by the St. Louis Browns with Dick Littlefield, Cliff Mapes, and Ben Taylor to the Detroit Tigers for Gene Bearden, Bob Cain, and Dick Kryhoski.
- May 29, 1954: Traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Chicago White Sox for Red Wilson.
- December 6, 1954: Traded by the Chicago White Sox with Don Ferrarese, Don Johnson, and Fred Marsh to the Baltimore Orioles for Jim Brideweser, Bob Chakales, and Clint Courtney.
- April 12, 1955: Purchased by the Cleveland Indians from the Baltimore Orioles.
- July 3, 1955: Purchased by the Cincinnati Redlegs from the Cleveland Indians.
External Links
- Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
