Cecil Coombs
Encyclopedia
Cecil Lysander Coombs was a right-handed Major League Baseball
outfielder who played for the Chicago White Sox
in 1914. He went on to manage in the minor leagues following his playing career.
and Decatur Commodores
. In 112 games that year, he hit .240. He played for the Celestials, Bloomington Bloomers
and Danville Speakers
in 1910, hitting .274 in 65 games. In 1911, he played for the Speakers, hitting .253 in 115 games. 1911 was the first year in his professional career in which he collected more than 100 hits.
In 1912, Coombs split the season between the Speakers and Peoria Distillers
, hitting only .220 in 96 games. His average improved to .308 in 1913, as he collected 139 hits in 122 games for the Adrian Champs
. He had the best year of his career average-wise in 1914, collecting 182 hits in 129 games for the Bay City Beavers
, for a .355 batting average. He was called up to the major leagues, and on August 7 he made his debut. In seven big league games, he hit .174 in 23 at-bats. On August 12, he played his final big league game.
Although his major league career was only that one cup of coffee
, his professional career lasted for many more years. In 1915, he hit .268 in 138 games for the Birmingham Barons
. He hit .264 in 96 games for them in 1916, and in 1917 he hit .255 in 155 games for them. Coombs split the 1918 season between four teams - the Barons, the Mobile Bears
, the Little Rock Travelers
and the Toledo Iron Men. He hit .241 in 84 games that year.
1919 was spent with the Houston Buffaloes
and Galveston Pirates, hitting .264 in 153 games. In 1920, he hit .252 in 149 games for the Dallas Submarines
. Coombs hit .293 with an unprecedented 30 home runs in 1921 with the Fort Worth Panthers, shattering his former career high of nine, which he set in 1914. He again played with the Panthers in 1922, hitting .311 with 10 home runs. 1923 was his final season as a player, and he hit .290 in 127 games split between the Panthers and the Wichita Falls Spudders
.
Coombs played 15 years in the minor leagues, hitting .276 in 1,847 games. He had 1,808 hits.
in 1925, the other being Johnnie Baggan. Similarly, he was one of two managers for the Alexandria Aces
in 1934, the other being Art Phelan
. In 1938, he was one of three managers for the Fort Worth Cats
, the others being Homer Peel
and Jackie Reid
. In 1940, he managed the Hot Springs Bathers
.
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...
outfielder who played for the 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...
in 1914. He went on to manage in the minor leagues following his playing career.
Playing career
Coombs began his professional career in 1909, playing for the Pekin CelestialsPekin Celestials
The Pekin Celestials were an Illinois-Missouri League baseball team based in Pekin, Illinois, USA that played from 1909 to 1913.In their very first season, the Celestials had four different managers. Two future major league baseball players played for them that year as well: Cecil Coombs and Mike...
and Decatur Commodores
Decatur Commodores
The Decatur Commodores were a professional minor league baseball team based in Decatur, Illinois. They played, with sporadic interruptions, from 1900 to 1974 in a variety of minor leagues, but spent the majority of their existence in the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League , later joining the...
. In 112 games that year, he hit .240. He played for the Celestials, Bloomington Bloomers
Bloomington Bloomers
The Bloomington Bloomers were an Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League team based in Bloomington, Illinois that existed on-and-off from 1903 to 1939. In 1935, they were affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals, and in 1939 they were affiliated with the Milwaukee Brewers...
and Danville Speakers
Danville Speakers
The Danville Speakers were a minor league baseball team based in Danville, Illinois that played in the Eastern Illinois League in 1908 and in the Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League from 1910 to 1914.-1910:...
in 1910, hitting .274 in 65 games. In 1911, he played for the Speakers, hitting .253 in 115 games. 1911 was the first year in his professional career in which he collected more than 100 hits.
In 1912, Coombs split the season between the Speakers and Peoria Distillers
Peoria Distillers
The Peoria Distillers were a minor league baseball team that existed on-and-off from 1894 to 1917. They played in the Western Association from 1894 to 1896; the Central League in 1900, 1904 and 1917; the Western League from 1902 to 1903; and the Three-I League from 1905 to 1917.-League...
, hitting only .220 in 96 games. His average improved to .308 in 1913, as he collected 139 hits in 122 games for the Adrian Champs
Adrian Champs
The Adrian Champs were a minor league baseball team that played in the Southern Michigan League in 1913. They were based in Adrian, Michigan, USA. Major League Baseball players that played for them include Cecil Coombs, Paul Smith, Johnny Mitchell, Emil Huhn, Cowboy Jones and Bun Troy. Prior to...
. He had the best year of his career average-wise in 1914, collecting 182 hits in 129 games for the Bay City Beavers
Bay City Beavers
The Bay City Beavers were a Southern Michigan League baseball team based in Bay City, Michigan, USA that existed from 1913 to 1915. Future major leaguer Joe Harris played for them in 1913 and 1914. Cecil Coombs played for them in 1914 as well. No known major league baseball players played for them...
, for a .355 batting average. He was called up to the major leagues, and on August 7 he made his debut. In seven big league games, he hit .174 in 23 at-bats. On August 12, he played his final big league game.
Although his major league career was only that one cup of coffee
Cup of coffee
A "cup of coffee" is North American sports terminology for a short time spent by a minor league player at the major league level. The idea behind the term is that the player was only in the big leagues long enough to have a cup of coffee before being returned to the minors, or simply to describe a...
, his professional career lasted for many more years. In 1915, he hit .268 in 138 games for the Birmingham Barons
Birmingham Barons
The Birmingham Barons are a minor league baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox major-league club....
. He hit .264 in 96 games for them in 1916, and in 1917 he hit .255 in 155 games for them. Coombs split the 1918 season between four teams - the Barons, the Mobile Bears
Mobile Bears
The Mobile Bears were an American minor league baseball team based in Mobile, Alabama. The franchise was a member of the old Southern Association, a high-level circuit that folded after the 1961 season. Mobile joined the SA in 1908 as the Sea Gulls, but changed its name to the Bears in 1918, and...
, the Little Rock Travelers
Little Rock Travelers
The Little Rock Travelers were an American minor league baseball team located in Little Rock, Arkansas and members of the Southern Association, which as a Class A, A1 or AA circuit was typically two rungs below Major League Baseball...
and the Toledo Iron Men. He hit .241 in 84 games that year.
1919 was spent with the Houston Buffaloes
Houston Buffaloes
The Houston Buffaloes or Buffs were an American minor league baseball team that was founded in 1888, played in the Texas League in the years 1888-90, 1892, 1895-99, and 1907-1958 ; in the South Texas League in the years 1903-06; and in the American Association from 1959-61...
and Galveston Pirates, hitting .264 in 153 games. In 1920, he hit .252 in 149 games for the Dallas Submarines
Dallas Submarines
The Dallas Submarines, based in Dallas, Texas, USA, were a minor league baseball team that played from 1920 to 1921 in the Texas League. They were managed by Ham Peterson both years. Following the 1921 season, the Dallas team became known as the Dallas Steers....
. Coombs hit .293 with an unprecedented 30 home runs in 1921 with the Fort Worth Panthers, shattering his former career high of nine, which he set in 1914. He again played with the Panthers in 1922, hitting .311 with 10 home runs. 1923 was his final season as a player, and he hit .290 in 127 games split between the Panthers and the Wichita Falls Spudders
Wichita Falls Spudders
The Wichita Falls Spudders were a minor league baseball team that formed in 1920 and played its last game in 1957. They were based in Wichita Falls, Texas....
.
Coombs played 15 years in the minor leagues, hitting .276 in 1,847 games. He had 1,808 hits.
Managing career
Coombs was one of two managers for the Marshall IndiansMarshall Indians
The Marshall Indians were a minor league baseball team based in Marshall, Texas, USA that played from 1923 to 1927 in the East Texas League and Lone Star League . Notable players include Homer Peel, George Watkins and Chief Hogsett. The team finished with a winning record only once over the course...
in 1925, the other being Johnnie Baggan. Similarly, he was one of two managers for the Alexandria Aces
Alexandria Aces
This article is about the Alexandria Aces of the Texas Collegiate League, who are based in Alexandria, LA. For the Alexandria Aces of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League, see Alexandria Aces ...
in 1934, the other being Art Phelan
Art Phelan
Arthur Thomas Phelan , is a former professional baseball player who was a infielder in the Major Leagues from 1910 to 1915. He would play for the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds....
. In 1938, he was one of three managers for the Fort Worth Cats
Fort Worth Cats
The Fort Worth Cats are a professional baseball team based in Fort Worth, Texas, in the United States. The Cats are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 2002 season the Cats...
, the others being Homer Peel
Homer Peel
Homer Hefner Peel , was a Major League Baseball player who played outfielder from -. He would play for the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals and New York Giants....
and Jackie Reid
Jackie Reid (baseball)
Hershel N. "Jackie" Reid was a long-time minor league baseball pitcher, winning nearly 300 games. He also served as a minor league manager for a few years.-Playing career:...
. In 1940, he managed the Hot Springs Bathers
Hot Springs Bathers
The Hot Springs Bathers were a Cotton States League baseball team based in Hot Springs, Arkansas that played from 1938 to 1941 and from 1947 to 1955. In 1938, they were affiliated with the Chicago Cubs. In 1939 and 1940, they were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers. From 1948 to 1951, they were...
.