Clem Dreisewerd
Encyclopedia
Clemens Johann Dreisewerd [Steamboat] (January 24, 1916 - September 11, 2001) was a pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played for three different teams between 1944
and 1948
. Listed at 6' 1.5", 195 lb., Dreisewerd batted and threw left handed. He was born in Old Monroe, Missouri
.
During 10 years, Dreisewerd struggled in the minor leagues
through the adversities and disappointments of baseball's contract system before attaining major league status. At the end of 1937, he decided to write a letter to the Baseball Commissioner
Kenesaw Mountain Landis
. In this letter, Dreisewerd complained about the manner in which he had been moved around to other organizations while under contract with the New York Giants
. On New Year's Day of 1938, Commissioner Landis granted him free agency
.
In 1944, while pitching for Sacramento
, Dreisewerd turned things around recording 20 wins
and a 1.61 ERA
, the lowest of the Pacific Coast League
pitchers. Finally, he reached the majors late in the season with the Boston Red Sox
, ending with a 2-4 mark in seven starts
. After appearing in only two games in 1945, he was recruited by the U.S. Navy
during World War II
. While in the Navy, he pitched for a team that included major leaguers as Mickey Owen
, Jim Konstanty
and Eddie Yost
. He was released from the Navy in time for the start of the 1946
season with Boston.
Dreisewerd enjoyed his most productive season with the 1946 American League
champions Red Sox, when he went 4-1 in 20 games pitched
in relief
, except for one start. He also pitched 1/3 of an inning
in Game 4 of the memorable 1946 World Series
between the Red Sox and St Louis Cardinals, retiring Enos Slaughter
, who had four hits and needed another to set a Series record.
In 1947, Dreisewerd was sent down to the Red Sox Class Triple-A associate team in Louisville
, as he led the American Association
pitchers with 18 wins and a 2.15 ERA. After that, he divided his playing time with the St. Louis Browns
and New York Giants in 1948, his last major league season.
In a four-season career, Dreisewerd posted a 6-8 record with 39 strikeout
s and a 4.54 ERA in 46 appearances, including 10 starts, three complete games, two saves
, and 140.2 innings pitched.
In October 1948 Dreisewerd tried winter baseball in Venezuela
, but, after a month, a coup d'état
caused the suspension of the baseball season. A year later he developed severe arm problems and after unsuccessful tries with various minor league teams, he was convinced that his baseball career was finished.
Following his playing retirement, Dreisewerd worked as a construction contractor
, building homes in the New Orleans area, where he lived for 50 years. By 1999, he was legally blind with macular degeneration
. He died in Ocean Springs, Mississippi
at age 85, of head injuries suffered in a fall while on vacation.
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...
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...
who played for three different teams between 1944
1944 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: St. Louis Cardinals over St. Louis Browns , in the "Streetcar Series"*All-Star Game, July 11 at Forbes Field: National League, 7-1-Other champions:...
and 1948
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...
. Listed at 6' 1.5", 195 lb., Dreisewerd batted and threw left handed. He was born in Old Monroe, Missouri
Old Monroe, Missouri
Old Monroe is a city in Lincoln County, Missouri, United States. The population was 250 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Old Monroe is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of land....
.
During 10 years, Dreisewerd struggled 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...
through the adversities and disappointments of baseball's contract system before attaining major league status. At the end of 1937, he decided to write a letter to the Baseball Commissioner
Baseball Commissioner
The Commissioner of Baseball is the chief executive of Major League Baseball and its associated minor leagues. Under the direction of the Commissioner, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball hires and maintains the sport's umpiring crews, and negotiates marketing, labor, and television contracts...
Kenesaw Mountain Landis
Kenesaw Mountain Landis
Kenesaw Mountain Landis was an American jurist who served as a federal judge from 1905 to 1922 and as the first Commissioner of Baseball from 1920 until his death...
. In this letter, Dreisewerd complained about the manner in which he had been moved around to other organizations while under contract with 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....
. On New Year's Day of 1938, Commissioner Landis granted him free agency
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
.
In 1944, while pitching for Sacramento
Sacramento Solons
The Sacramento Solons were a minor league baseball team based in Sacramento, California. They played in the Pacific Coast League during several periods . The current Sacramento River Cats began play in 2000...
, Dreisewerd turned things around recording 20 wins
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
and a 1.61 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, the lowest of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
pitchers. Finally, he reached the majors late in the season with 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"...
, ending with a 2-4 mark in seven starts
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
. After appearing in only two games in 1945, he was recruited by the U.S. Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during 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...
. While in the Navy, he pitched for a team that included major leaguers as Mickey Owen
Mickey Owen
Arnold Malcolm "Mickey" Owen was a catcher for St. Louis Cardinals in Major League Baseball. Between 1937 and 1954, Owen played for the St. Louis Cardinals , Brooklyn Dodgers , Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox...
, Jim Konstanty
Jim Konstanty
Casimir James "Jim" Konstanty was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball and National League Most Valuable Player of 1950. He played for the Cincinnati Reds , Boston Braves , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals...
and Eddie Yost
Eddie Yost
Edward Frederick Joseph Yost is a former professional baseball player and coach. He played the majority of his Major League Baseball career as a third baseman for the Washington Senators, before ending his career with the Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Angels. Yost batted and threw right-handed...
. He was released from the Navy in time for the start of the 1946
1946 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: St. Louis Cardinals over Boston Red Sox *All-Star Game, July 9 at Fenway Park: American League, 12–0-Other champions:*Negro League World Series: Newark Eagles over Kansas City Monarchs...
season with Boston.
Dreisewerd enjoyed his most productive season with the 1946 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...
champions Red Sox, when he went 4-1 in 20 games pitched
Games pitched
In baseball statistics, games pitched is the number of games in which a player appears as a pitcher; a player who is announced as the pitcher must face at least one batter, although exceptions are made if the pitcher announced in the starting lineup is injured before facing a batter, perhaps while...
in relief
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
, except for one start. He also pitched 1/3 of an inning
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
in Game 4 of the memorable 1946 World Series
1946 World Series
-Game 1:Sunday, October 6, 1946 at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, MissouriThe Red Sox won Game 1 when Rudy York hit a home run into the left field bleachers.-Game 2:Monday, October 7, 1946 at Sportsman's Park in St...
between the Red Sox and St Louis Cardinals, retiring Enos Slaughter
Enos Slaughter
Enos Bradsher Slaughter , nicknamed "Country", was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 19-year baseball career, he played from 1938–1942 and 1946-1959 for four different teams, but is noted primarily for his time with the St...
, who had four hits and needed another to set a Series record.
In 1947, Dreisewerd was sent down to the Red Sox Class Triple-A associate team in Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
, as he led 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...
pitchers with 18 wins and a 2.15 ERA. After that, he divided his playing time with the St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
and New York Giants in 1948, his last major league season.
In a four-season career, Dreisewerd posted a 6-8 record with 39 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 and a 4.54 ERA in 46 appearances, including 10 starts, three complete games, two saves
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
, and 140.2 innings pitched.
In October 1948 Dreisewerd tried winter baseball in Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, but, after a month, a coup d'état
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
caused the suspension of the baseball season. A year later he developed severe arm problems and after unsuccessful tries with various minor league teams, he was convinced that his baseball career was finished.
Following his playing retirement, Dreisewerd worked as a construction contractor
General contractor
A general contractor is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a construction site, management of vendors and trades, and communication of information to involved parties throughout the course of a building project.-Description:...
, building homes in the New Orleans area, where he lived for 50 years. By 1999, he was legally blind with macular degeneration
Macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration is a medical condition which usually affects older adults and results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field because of damage to the retina. It occurs in “dry” and “wet” forms. It is a major cause of blindness and visual impairment in older adults...
. He died in Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Ocean Springs is a city in Jackson County, Mississippi, United States, about east of Biloxi. It is part of the Pascagoula, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 17,225 at the 2000 census...
at age 85, of head injuries suffered in a fall while on vacation.