Billy Herman
Encyclopedia
William Jennings Bryan "Billy" Herman (July 7, 1909 — September 5, 1992) was an American
second baseman
in Major League Baseball
during the 1930s and 1940s. He was known for his stellar defense and consistent batting. He still holds many National League
defensive records for second basemen.
, Indiana
, in 1909, Herman attended New Albany High School
.
and asserted himself as a star the following season, , by hitting .314 and scoring 102 runs. His first at-bat was memorable. Facing Cincinatti Reds pitcher Si Johnson
, Herman chopped a pitch into the back of home plate, which then bounced up and hit Herman in the back of the head, knocking him out..A fixture in the Chicago lineup over the next decade, Herman was a consistent hitter and solid producer. He regularly hit .300 or higher (and as high as .341 in ) and drove in a high of 93 runs
in .
After a sub-standard offensive year in , Herman was traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers
in . He had one of his finest offensive season in , when he batted .330 with a .398 on base percentage
and 100 runs driven in.
Herman missed the and seasons to serve in World War II
, but returned to play in with the Dodgers and Boston Braves
(after being traded mid-season). At 37, he was considered prime managerial
material by the new owners of the Pittsburgh Pirates
. On September 30, 1946, Herman was traded to Pittsburgh with three marginal players (outfielder
Stan Wentzel
, pitcher
Elmer Singleton
and infielder
Whitey Wietelmann
) for third baseman
Bob Elliott
and catcher
Hank Camelli
. Herman was promptly named playing manager of the 1947 Pirates
, but he was aghast at the cost — Elliott — the Pirates had paid for him. "Why, they've gone and traded the whole team on me," he said. Elliott would win the National League Most Valuable Player award and lead Boston to the 1948 National League pennant
. Herman's 1947 Pirates lost 92 games and finished tied for seventh in the NL, and he resigned before the season's final game.
Herman then managed in the minor leagues and became a major league coach
with the Dodgers (1952–57) and Braves (now based in Milwaukee) (1958–59) — serving on five National League pennant winners in eight seasons. Then he moved to the American League
as the third-base coach of the Boston Red Sox
for five years (1960–64), before managing the Red Sox to lackluster records in and ; his 1965 Boston club lost 100 games. After his firing by the Red Sox in September 1966, he coached for the California Angels
(1967) and San Diego Padres
(1978–79) and served in player development roles with the Oakland Athletics
and the Padres.
Herman finished his career with a .304 batting average, 1163 runs scored, 47 home run
s, 839 RBI, and a minuscule 428 strikeout
s. He won four National League pennants (in , , , and ) but no World Series
championships as a player (although he was a coach on the 1955 World Series
champion Brooklyn Dodgers). His record as a major league manager was 189-274 (.408).
Herman holds the National League records for most putout
s in a season by a second baseman and led the league in putouts seven times. He also shares the major league record for most hits on opening day, with five, set April 14, 1936.
Herman was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in .
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
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...
during the 1930s and 1940s. He was known for his stellar defense and consistent batting. He still holds many National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
defensive records for second basemen.
Early life
Born in New AlbanyNew Albany, Indiana
New Albany is a city in Floyd County, Indiana, United States, situated along the Ohio River opposite Louisville, Kentucky. In 1900, 20,628 people lived in New Albany; in 1910, 20,629; in 1920, 22,992; and in 1940, 25,414. The population was 36,372 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, in 1909, Herman attended New Albany High School
New Albany High School (Indiana)
Founded in 1853, New Albany High School is one of the oldest public high schools west of the Alleghenies and the first in Indiana. New Albany High School has the first rastafarian-run FM radio station to be licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and has had their own cable TV channel ...
.
Major League career
Herman broke into the majors in with the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and asserted himself as a star the following season, , by hitting .314 and scoring 102 runs. His first at-bat was memorable. Facing Cincinatti Reds pitcher Si Johnson
Si Johnson
Silas Kenneth Johnson born in Danway near Ottawa, Illinois was a pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds , St. Louis Cardinals , Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Braves ....
, Herman chopped a pitch into the back of home plate, which then bounced up and hit Herman in the back of the head, knocking him out..A fixture in the Chicago lineup over the next decade, Herman was a consistent hitter and solid producer. He regularly hit .300 or higher (and as high as .341 in ) and drove in a high of 93 runs
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
in .
After a sub-standard offensive year in , Herman was traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in . He had one of his finest offensive season in , when he batted .330 with a .398 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...
and 100 runs driven in.
Herman missed the and seasons to serve in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, but returned to play in with the Dodgers 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....
(after being traded mid-season). At 37, he was considered prime managerial
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
material by the new owners of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. On September 30, 1946, Herman was traded to Pittsburgh with three marginal players (outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
Stan Wentzel
Stan Wentzel
Stanley Aaron Wentzel was an American professional baseball player. A longtime minor league outfielder and, later, a manager, Wentzel's only stint in Major League Baseball came at the end of the season, when he appeared in four games in centerfield for the Boston Braves. The 28-year-old rookie...
, pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Elmer Singleton
Elmer Singleton
Bert Elmer Singleton , was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He played all or part of seven seasons in the majors, between and , for the Boston Braves, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Washington Senators...
and infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
Whitey Wietelmann
Whitey Wietelmann
William Frederick "Whitey" Wietelmann was an American professional baseball player who played infielder in the Major Leagues from - for the Boston Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates...
) for third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
Bob Elliott
Bob Elliott (baseball)
Robert Irving Elliott was an American third baseman and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played most of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Braves. He contributed some of the happiest memories to the Braves' final Boston years, winning the 1947 National League Most Valuable...
and 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...
Hank Camelli
Hank Camelli
Henry Richard Camelli was an American professional baseball player. A catcher, he appeared in Major League Baseball between and for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Braves...
. Herman was promptly named playing manager of the 1947 Pirates
1947 Pittsburgh Pirates season
- Offseason :* October 2, 1946: Steve Nagy was purchased by the Pirates from the Brooklyn Dodgers.* Prior to 1947 season **Joe Muir was signed as an amateur free agent by the Pirates....
, but he was aghast at the cost — Elliott — the Pirates had paid for him. "Why, they've gone and traded the whole team on me," he said. Elliott would win the National League Most Valuable Player award and lead Boston to the 1948 National League pennant
1948 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cleveland Indians over Boston Braves *All-Star Game, July 13 at Sportsman's Park: American League, 5-2-Other champions:*College World Series: USC*Little League World Series: Lock Haven, Pennsylvania...
. Herman's 1947 Pirates lost 92 games and finished tied for seventh in the NL, and he resigned before the season's final game.
Herman then managed in the minor leagues and became a major league coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
with the Dodgers (1952–57) and Braves (now based in Milwaukee) (1958–59) — serving on five National League pennant winners in eight seasons. Then he moved to the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
as the third-base coach of the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
for five years (1960–64), before managing the Red Sox to lackluster records in and ; his 1965 Boston club lost 100 games. After his firing by the Red Sox in September 1966, he coached for the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
(1967) and San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
(1978–79) and served in player development roles with the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
and the Padres.
Herman finished his career with a .304 batting average, 1163 runs scored, 47 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...
s, 839 RBI, and a minuscule 428 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s. He won four National League pennants (in , , , and ) but no World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
championships as a player (although he was a coach on the 1955 World Series
1955 World Series
The 1955 World Series matched the Brooklyn Dodgers against the New York Yankees, with the Dodgers winning the Series in seven games to capture their first championship in franchise history. It would be the only Series the Dodgers won in Brooklyn . The last time the Brooklyn franchise won a World...
champion Brooklyn Dodgers). His record as a major league manager was 189-274 (.408).
Herman holds the National League records for most 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 in a season by a second baseman and led the league in putouts seven times. He also shares the major league record for most hits on opening day, with five, set April 14, 1936.
Herman was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in .
See also
- List of major league players with 2,000 hits
- List of Major League Baseball doubles records
- List of Major League Baseball players with 400 doubles
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs
- List of Major League Baseball doubles champions
- List of Major League Baseball triples champions