Al Spohrer
Encyclopedia
Alfred Ray Spohrer was an American
professional
baseball
player. He played in Major League Baseball
as a catcher
for the New York Giants
and Boston Braves
.
. In he joined the Wilkes-Barre Barons
where he posted a .333 batting average
in 98 games, winning the Most Valuable Player
Award for the New York-Pennsylvania League
. The Barons sold Spohrer's contract to John McGraw
's New York Giants for $10,000, a record for a Class B player at the time.
Spohrer made his major league debut with the New York Giants on April 13, 1928
at the age of 25 but, after only two games, he was traded along with Virgil Barnes
, Ben Cantwell
and Bill Clarkson
to the Boston Braves for Joe Genewich
. He served as a backup catcher for the Braves working behind Zack Taylor
in 1928
. In 1929
, Taylor was traded to the Chicago Cubs and Spohrer became the Braves starting catcher, posting a .272 batting average with 21 doubles
and 48 runs batted in. Although he led National League catchers in errors
, he finished second in games caught and third in putout
s.
Spohrer had his best season offensively in 1930
when he posted a .361 on base percentage
, a .441 slugging percentage and led the Braves with a .317 batting average in 112 games. That season, a lively ball wound with special Australian wool was used by major league baseball, resulting in a league batting average that was above .300 for the only time in baseball history. In , the National League introduced a new, heavier ball to counteract the prodigious offensive statistics of the previous year. The raised stitching on the ball allowed pitchers to grip the ball better and throw sharper curveball
s.
From 1933
to 1935
Spohrer shared catching duties with Shanty Hogan
who had been obtained from the New York Giants. In February 1936
, Spohrer was released to the Columbus Red Birds
of the American Association
. He decided to retire as a baseball player at the age of 32 rather than play in the minor leagues
.
Spohrer is remembered for a game in against the Chicago Cubs
at Wrigley Field
when, he tried to distract one of baseball's greatest hitters during an at bat. Rogers Hornsby
, who had been Spohrer's teammate on the Braves in before being traded to the Cubs, was known for his love of a good steak dinner. As Hornsby stepped up to home plate
to take his turn at bat, Spohrer made an attempt to distract him from his hitting by talking about the great steaks available from a butcher back home in Boston. Hornsby replied, "Is that so?" as the first pitch was a called strike. Spohrer proceeded to tell Hornsby that his wife was also an extremely capable cook as strike two was called. Spohrer continued with his ruse by telling Hornsby that during his next visit to Boston, he was welcome to the Spohrer household to try one of these steaks whereupon, Hornsby proceeded to hit the next pitch
out of the park for a home run
. After rounding the bases and touching home plate, Hornsby was said to have asked Spohrer, "What night shall we make it, Al?"
In January , Spohrer tried his hand at boxing
, losing in four rounds by technical knockout to Chicago White Sox
player Art Shires
at the Boston Garden
. Ironically, the two players became roommates when Shires joined the Braves in 1932
.
, accumulating 575 hits
in 2,218 at bats for a .259 career batting average along with 6 home runs, 199 runs batted in and an on base percentage of .301. He retired with a .979 fielding percentage
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player. He played in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
as a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
for the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
and Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
.
Baseball career
He began his professional baseball career in at the age of 18 with the Winston-Salem Twins of the Piedmont LeaguePiedmont League
The Piedmont League was a minor league baseball league that operated from 1920 through 1955. The league operated principally in the Piedmont plateau region in the eastern United States.- Former :...
. In he joined the Wilkes-Barre Barons
Wilkes-Barre Barons
The Wilkes-Barre Barons were a legendary basketball team from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.The Barons played between 1933 and 1972 in different American leagues. The team won 11 titles during this time, and the most memorable are those were won while playing in the American Basketball League and the...
where he posted a .333 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
in 98 games, winning the Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
Award for the New York-Pennsylvania League
New York-Pennsylvania League (early 20th century)
The New York-Pennsylvania League of 1923 through 1937 was an American minor league baseball circuit.The forerunner to the modern Class AA Eastern League, it was a Class B circuit through 1932 and upgraded to Class A for the final five seasons of its existence. It is actually the second of three...
. The Barons sold Spohrer's contract to John McGraw
John McGraw
John McGraw may refer to:* John McGraw , , New York lumber tycoon, and one of the founding trustees of Cornell University* John McGraw , , Governor of Washington state from 1893–1897...
's New York Giants for $10,000, a record for a Class B player at the time.
Spohrer made his major league debut with the New York Giants on April 13, 1928
1928 New York Giants (MLB) season
- Offseason :* January 10, 1928: Rogers Hornsby was traded by the Giants to the Boston Braves for Shanty Hogan and Jimmy Welsh.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
at the age of 25 but, after only two games, he was traded along with Virgil Barnes
Virgil Barnes
Virgil Jennings Barnes , was a professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1919 to 1928. He played for the New York Giants from 1919 to 1928, and also played for the Boston Braves in 1928 after being traded to the Braves in mid-season...
, Ben Cantwell
Ben Cantwell
Benjamin Caldwell Cantwell was an American major league baseball pitcher from 1927-1937. He was a graduate of the University of Tennessee.-External links:...
and Bill Clarkson
Bill Clarkson
William Henry Clarkson was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for the New York Giants and Boston Braves.-External links:...
to the Boston Braves for Joe Genewich
Joe Genewich
Joseph Edward Genewich was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for the Boston Braves and New York Giants from 1922 to 1930. His key pitch was the slow curve.-External links:...
. He served as a backup catcher for the Braves working behind Zack Taylor
Zack Taylor (baseball)
James Wren "Zack" Taylor was an American Major League Baseball catcher with the Brooklyn Robins, Boston Braves, New York Giants, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, and again with the Brooklyn Dodgers....
in 1928
1928 Boston Braves season
The Boston Braves season was a season in American baseball. The team finished seventh in the National League with a record of 50-103, 44½ games behind the St. Louis Cardinals....
. In 1929
1929 Boston Braves season
- Offseason :* November 7, 1928: Rogers Hornsby was traded by the Braves to the Chicago Cubs for Socks Seibold, Percy Jones, Lou Legett, Freddie Maguire, Bruce Cunningham, and $200,000.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, Taylor was traded to the Chicago Cubs and Spohrer became the Braves starting catcher, posting a .272 batting average with 21 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and 48 runs batted in. Although he led National League catchers in errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
, he finished second in games caught and third in putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
s.
Spohrer had his best season offensively in 1930
1930 Boston Braves season
- Offseason :* February 18, 1930: Owen Kahn was purchased by the Braves from the Manchester Blue Sox.- Notable transactions :* June 9, 1930: Owen Kahn was sold by the Braves to the Pittsfield Hillies.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
when he posted a .361 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
, a .441 slugging percentage and led the Braves with a .317 batting average in 112 games. That season, a lively ball wound with special Australian wool was used by major league baseball, resulting in a league batting average that was above .300 for the only time in baseball history. In , the National League introduced a new, heavier ball to counteract the prodigious offensive statistics of the previous year. The raised stitching on the ball allowed pitchers to grip the ball better and throw sharper curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
s.
From 1933
1933 Boston Braves season
- Offseason :* December 29, 1932: Shanty Hogan was purchased by the Braves from the New York Giants for $25,000.- Notable transactions :* July 31, 1933: Bob Smith was selected off waivers by the Braves from the Cincinnati Reds.- Roster :...
to 1935
1935 Boston Braves season
The 1935 Boston Braves season saw the Braves finish with the worst record in the National League and the majors, with a record of 38 wins and 115 losses.In an attempt to make his dream come true to manage, Babe Ruth came to the Braves in February 1935...
Spohrer shared catching duties with Shanty Hogan
Shanty Hogan
James Francis "Shanty" Hogan was a Major League Baseball catcher from 1925 to 1937. Hogan was listed at 6'1", 240 pounds — an exceptionally large player, especially for his era. Due to this, there are many anecdotes relating to Hogan and food...
who had been obtained from the New York Giants. In February 1936
1936 Boston Bees season
The Boston Bees season was a season in American baseball. The team finished sixth in the National League with a record of 71-83, 21 games behind the New York Giants.- Offseason :...
, Spohrer was released to the Columbus Red Birds
Columbus Red Birds
The Columbus Red Birds was the name of a top-level minor league baseball team that played in Columbus, Ohio, in the American Association from 1931 through 1954. The Columbus club, a member of the Association continuously since 1902, was previously known as the Columbus Senators — a typical...
of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
. He decided to retire as a baseball player at the age of 32 rather than play in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
.
Spohrer is remembered for a game in against the Chicago Cubs
1929 Chicago Cubs season
- Offseason :* October 3, 1928: Mike Cvengros was drafted by the Cubs from the Wichita Falls Spudders in the 1928 rule 5 draft.* November 7, 1928: Socks Seibold, Percy Jones, Lou Legett, Freddie Maguire, Bruce Cunningham, and $200,000 were traded by the Cubs to the Boston Braves for Rogers...
at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
when, he tried to distract one of baseball's greatest hitters during an at bat. Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby
Rogers Hornsby, Sr. , nicknamed "The Rajah", was an American baseball infielder, manager, and coach who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball . He played for the St. Louis Cardinals , New York Giants , Boston Braves , Chicago Cubs , and St. Louis Browns...
, who had been Spohrer's teammate on the Braves in before being traded to the Cubs, was known for his love of a good steak dinner. As Hornsby stepped up to home plate
Home Plate
Home Plate is the fifth album by Bonnie Raitt, released in 1975 .-Track listing:#"What Do You Want the Boy to Do?" – 3:19#"Good Enough" – 2:56#"Run Like a Thief" – 3:02...
to take his turn at bat, Spohrer made an attempt to distract him from his hitting by talking about the great steaks available from a butcher back home in Boston. Hornsby replied, "Is that so?" as the first pitch was a called strike. Spohrer proceeded to tell Hornsby that his wife was also an extremely capable cook as strike two was called. Spohrer continued with his ruse by telling Hornsby that during his next visit to Boston, he was welcome to the Spohrer household to try one of these steaks whereupon, Hornsby proceeded to hit the next pitch
Pitch (baseball)
In baseball, a pitch is the act of throwing a baseball toward home plate to start a play. The term comes from the Knickerbocker Rules. Originally, the ball had to be literally "pitched" underhand, as with pitching horseshoes. Overhand throwing was not allowed until 1884.The biomechanics of...
out of the park for a home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
. After rounding the bases and touching home plate, Hornsby was said to have asked Spohrer, "What night shall we make it, Al?"
In January , Spohrer tried his hand at boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, losing in four rounds by technical knockout to Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
player Art Shires
Art Shires
Charles Arthur Shires was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a first baseman for the Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators and Boston Braves...
at the Boston Garden
Boston Garden
The Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...
. Ironically, the two players became roommates when Shires joined the Braves in 1932
1932 Boston Braves season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
.
Career statistics
In an 8 year major league career, Spohrer played in 756 gamesGames played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
, accumulating 575 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 2,218 at bats for a .259 career batting average along with 6 home runs, 199 runs batted in and an on base percentage of .301. He retired with a .979 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
.