Don Demeter
Encyclopedia
Donald Lee "Don" Demeter (born June 25, 1935 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
) is a former outfielder
, third baseman
, and first baseman
in Major League Baseball
who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers
, Los Angeles Dodgers
, Philadelphia Phillies
, Detroit Tigers
, Boston Red Sox
, and Cleveland Indians
. He batted and threw right-handed.
From September 1962 to July 1965, Demeter had 266 consecutive errorless
games in the outfield, a Major League record that would stand for almost 30 years until Darren Lewis
broke the mark in 1994 with 369.
Don Demeter is a member of The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.
signed two members of the team, while the Brooklyn Dodgers signed Don and eight of his teammates. He was signed by Dodgers scout Bert Wells. While his classmates each received a $3,000 signing bonus, Demeter was given only $800. Demeter was the only member of the Capitol Hill High School starting varsity team that was not chosen to be on the Oklahoma City all-star prep team, yet he would be the only player to go on to be a success in the Major Leagues. By 1959, Don was the only remaining Capital Hill High alumni of 11 that was still in professional organized baseball in any capacity. As a stepping stone to professional baseball, in the early 1950s Demeter played ball for the American Legion
's Mosier's Tiremen of Oklahoma City. After signing with the Dodgers, Don was assigned to the Minor League
Class D Sooner State League
Shawnee Hawks
. For his first season of professional baseball, he was paid a salary of $150 a month. In 104 games for the Hawks, Don had a .223 batting average to go with 9 home runs, 6 triples
, and 42 RBI. After the disappointing season, Demeter said, "I don't enjoy baseball. I'm not sure I should continue it," feeling that he was living a more useful life. His passion for the game was reinvigorated though after the 1954 World Series
. "But when I saw Alvin Dark
tithed the church from his 1954 World Series share, I realized that baseball could have a very real meaning.".
For the 1954 season, Don was promoted to the Class C California League
Bakersfield Indians
, where he hit .267 with 26 home runs and 89 RBI. In December 1954, Demeter decided to put in some extra playing time and experience by going to Venezuela
and playing for team Cabimas. In the 33 game loop, Don hit .306 with 15 RBI, half of which came from two grand slams over the course of the season.
He began the 1955 season with the Class A Pueblo Dodgers
of
1955 Pueblo Western League
. He impressed early, hitting .262 with 5 home runs and 23 RBI in 39 games before being promoted to the Class AA Southern Association
Mobile Bears
. In 92 games at Mobile, Don his .251 with 11 home runs and 36 RBI.
Don rejoined Cabimas for winter league play in the 1955-56 Venezuelan Occidental League. Demeter set the pace early in the league, hitting for a .433 average with 7 home runs and 12 RBI in his first 60 at bats. On January 21, 1956, Demeter tied a Venezuela national record by hitting 16 home runs in a season, hitting two in one game. Demeter finished the winter-ball season second in the league in batting average with a .369 mark and tied for first in home runs with 17, compiling 73 hits and 38 runs scored in 52 games.
Demeter continued his Venezuelan power surge back in the States for the AA Texas League
Fort Worth Cats
. Don went on a tear in the 1956 season. He hit home runs on four consecutive days from April 24 to 27, and six in his last seven games, a new league record. On May 20, he had a 5 hit day that included his 10th home run of the season in a 17–4 victory over San Antonio. Don finished the year with 41 home runs and 128 RBI, both second only to minor league journeyman Ken Guettler, who had 143 runs batted in and shattered the Texas League record for home runs with 62. He also was very busy in center field for the Cats, leading the league in putout
s with 442. Demeter was selected to the Texas League All-Star Team, receiving a scroll and a $100 check. Fort Worth General Manager
Spencer Harris
compared him to an all-time great, saying, "He's ahead of Duke Snider
at a similar stage in Duke's development."
Don played his first major league game on September 18, 1956, pinch hitting in the bottom of the 3rd inning for pitcher Roger Craig
. He struck out against St. Louis Cardinals
hurler Vinegar Bend Mizell, taking all three strikes looking. Mizell and Demeter later became very close Christian friends. Don got over his rookie jitters the next day against the Cards, hitting a 2-1 pitch off Don Liddle
into the left field stands to contribute to a 17-2 victory. Demeter finished the season 1 for 3.
He didn't compete for the Dodgers in the 1956 World Series
, but did join the team for a playing tour through Japan
. In the 18 game series, the Dodgers went 14-4 with Demeter hitting above .300 and five home runs, just one behind the team leaders Gil Hodges
and Duke Snider. During the tour, Dodgers Vice President Buzzie Bavasi
named Demeter as one of the stars ready for the Majors. The Dodgers were offered $750,000 for Demeter and five other prospects, but the offer was turned down. On November 2, Bavasi announced that Demeter would be one of the prospects invited to an early tryout training camp at Vero Beach, Florida
the next February. National League
president Warren Giles
gave Don very high praise, saying that he, "should make the grade as a regular with the Dodgers next season. He played outstanding ball in Japan." Brooklyn President Walter O'Malley
announced during the Japan tour his plans to move Duke Snider over to left field to make room for Demeter in center.
Before the 1957 season, Demeter was rated as one of the top 8 rookie prospects in February in a poll conducted by 12 major league organizations. On January 12, he signed his contract to play with the Dodgers for the year. In an exhibition rematch of last year's World Series, the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees
1-0 in 11 innings after Demeter hit a double and later in the inning scored on a wild throw by Gil McDougald
as he ran to third. Overall, Don failed to impress during spring training and was cut by the Dodgers on March 31 and subsequently optioned to the AAA St. Paul Saints of the American Association
.
Don started the season very strong, hitting .350 with 35 RBI and a league-leading 12 home runs through June 5. On July 4, Demeter helped his team improbably overcome an 8-1 deficit by hitting three home runs to help the Saints beat the Minneapolis Millers
9-8. Two days later, he was selected to the American Association all-star team on July 6, 1957. He was one of only four unanimous picks by the league's broadcasters and writers.
On July 14, Demeter had to leave a game after severely pulling a tendon in his left hand. Still hurt, Don returned on August 2 to pinch hit a game winning double in the 10th inning to beat Louisville 3-2. However, the injury still severely limited Demeter's play all the way to September.
By season's end, Demeter's numbers were down from last year, but still highly productive. His 28 home runs were good enough for 3rd in the league, he was 5th in OPS
with a mark of .940, 3rd in steals with 13, and 3rd in slugging percentage at .562. Don finished the season with 86 RBI and a .309 batting average in 134 games. He appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show
on September 29 after being voted to the all AAA team. Dodger VP Bavasi recalled Demeter from St. Paul after his minor league team was eliminated from the Association playoffs, but once he learned that Don was one of the players selected to the team, he told Demeter to go to Hollywood instead.
. After serving a six month term with the Army
in San Antonio, Texas
, Demeter was discharged on April 17, 1958 and left to immediately join the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Playing time was initially scarce for him, only playing in 6 games before being optioned back to the AAA St. Paul Saints
on May 9. In 80 games with St. Paul, Demeter hit .283 with 14 home runs and 48 RBI.
Demeter was recalled to the majors by the Dodgers on July 30. To make room for him on the roster, Randy Jackson was sold to the Cleveland Indians
for $20,000. Don struggled in his first full month as a regular Major Leaguer. In the month of August, he hit just .148 with 1 home run and 2 RBI in 54 at bats. Demeter started to get more comfortable in mid-September, hitting .263 with 4 homers in his final 12 games. Don finished his rollercoaster short season for the Dodgers with a .189 batting average, 5 home runs, and 8 RBI in 43 games.
Don signed a new contract with the Dodgers on February 16, 1959 for $8,500. At the Dodgers camp in Vero Beach, Florida
, Demeter took the time to try to reinvent himself as a hitter. He was always going for the home run swing, which resulted in 32 strikeouts in just 106 at bats last season. Manager Walter Alston
and new coach Pee Wee Reese
would be his teachers. Reese stated that Don was upper-cutting at the ball with each swing, and Pee Wee had him cut down on his swing, which led to immediate results. Alston had Demeter stand outside the batting cage and hit ground balls to the infielders while waiting for his turn in the cage. Don and Alston agreed that the simple exercise helped level off Demeter's swing. While adapting his new batting style, Demeter injured himself on February 27 by pulling a muscle in his right leg. It was not serious, and Demeter returned to spring training play in less than a week. On March 12, he had a game-winning single with the bases loaded against the Cincinnati Reds
in the 9th inning to give the Dodgers the 7-6 win.
The Dodgers finally carried out their original plan for Demeter for the most part, set all the way back in September 1956. He became the new starter in center field, while Duke Snider was moved over to right field. Don had a very successful spring training and was expected to be the opening day starting centerfielder against the Chicago Cubs
, but instead he rode the bench for the duration of the game. The next day, Duke Snider's lingering knee problems came back, and Demeter was given his first start of the season with the temperature around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The new and improved Don Demeter made the best first impression he could, hitting a home run and a single while driving in two runs en route to a 5-3 win. Snider started the next game, the series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals
. In his second start the next day, Don hit another homer. The next day, another home run. In just three starts, Don already had three home runs and six runs batted in. Demeter was only just getting started with his April tear.
On April 21 against the San Francisco Giants
, he hit three home runs and had six RBI in a single game. In the 3rd inning off Giants pitcher Dom Zanni
, Demeter hit the first ever inside-the-park home run
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
. The next inning saw another home run, this time off Mike McCormick
and to deep left. Demeter capped off the performance by hitting a game winning walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the 11th inning off Al Worthington
to win the game 9-7. It was the first and only game of his career where Don had an inside-the-park or walk-off home run. Don was the first Dodger to hit three home runs in a single game since Snider did it four years prior on June 1, 1955 at Ebbets Field
. As of July 2009, only 22 players in the history of the majors since 1900 had three home runs in a single game during their rookie season. Demeter was the 1st Dodger and 9th overall to accomplish the feat, sharing the accomplishment with hall-of-famers Eddie Mathews
and Mickey Cochrane
. The next morning, a photographer got Demeter out of bed at 5 in the morning to take photos for an afternoon Los Angeles newspaper.
In Don's first 15 games, he hit .345 with 6 home runs and 21 RBI, challenging early for the NL's rare triple crown title. On Demeter's early success, Philadelphia Phillies
manager Eddie Sawyer
remarked, "Seldom have I seen a player come so far so fast. When I saw him for the first time late last season, he was just another journeyman. Now he's a real good-looking ball player."
Demeter had another multiple home run game in an 11-0 win over the Phillies. Don's bat eventually slowed down, but he still had well above average numbers for the months of May and June, hitting a combined .278 with 10 home runs and 34 RBI. Once summer hit its full stride, however, Don countered his three month offensive production with two months of offensive despair, hitting below .160 in both months and having only 2 home runs. The bad luck reached its height on August 18 when he dropped an "easy" pop fly against the Milwaukee Braves in the bottom of the 9th inning. The Braves tied the game, but the Dodgers later won it 7-6 in 13 innings. Demeter attempted to stop the tying run from coming home, but the catcher had thought the game was over. He said later, "When I threw it to home plate, it was a perfect strike. But there was nobody there to catch it, because (Johnny) Roseboro
was out at the mound congratulating (Don) Drysdale
on the victory." On the bus ride to the hotel, Demeter shook every one of his teammate's hands, showing his appreciation for "the team's win". At season's end they were tied with the Braves for the National League pennant. They won the playoff and a berth in the World Series. Demeter later said, "My error could have lost us the World Championship."
Don finished the regular season with 18 home runs and 70 RBI in 139 games. He was hit by 6 pitches, good enough for 4th in the National League. He also had the 5th highest fielding percentage at center field with a mark of .983. His strikeout numbers were high, coming in 7th in the NL with 87.
Don played in all six games of the 1959 World Series for the Dodgers. He replaced Duke Snider late in the first two games, started the next three, and came off the bench once more in the decisive game six. In 12 at bats, Don hit .250 with 2 runs scored. Demeter tithed his World Series earnings to his church.
Early in the offseason, there were talks of trading Demeter. Near the end of November, there was a six player offer between Los Angeles and the Washington Senators
, where Washington wanted Don in place of Sandy Amoros
. The Dodgers were reluctant to lose their 24-year-old hitter, offering outfielder Ron Fairly
to the Senators in Demeter's stead. Washington continued to hold out on the trade for Demeter until Los Angeles officially killed the deal on December 2. The Dodgers had confidence in Don, believing that he was beginning to overcome the many weakness in his hitting game that plagued him in previous seasons.
.
On April 12, Demeter had his first opening day start in the Major Leagues. He started the majority of the team's games until July 3, where he fractured his wrist on the road against the Pittsburgh Pirates
after colliding with Los Angeles shortstop Maury Wills
, prematurely ending Don's season. In the shortened year, he hit .274 with 9 home runs and 29 RBI in 64 games.
Of all the players on the Dodgers roster, general manager Bavasi believed that the key Dodger of the upcoming 1961 season was Demeter, expecting Don to make a large comeback after his disappointing outing last season. "If Don can show us the Demeter of early 1959, we won't have to look for added power. We'll have all we need." It was announced on February 14, 1961, that Demeter had signed his new yearly contract with the Dodgers for around $16,000. However, Don would have stiff competition to regain his starting role in center field. Newcomer Willie Davis
, coming off a huge season in the Pacific Coast League
and last season's number one player of the year as named by The Sporting News, was considered a serious threat to take Demeter's job. By the start of the season, Demeter had his role reduced to coming off the bench.
for a potential trade involving Demeter and Phillies reliever Turk Farrell
. A deal was reached on May 4, sending Don and Charley Smith
to Philadelphia for Farrell and Joe Koppe
. Phillies manager Gene Mauch
was glad about the deal, announcing immediately after the trade that Demeter would be a starter immediately. Mauch remarked, "There aren't many better center fielders around than he is, and you can put it in the book right now that he'll hit more than 20 home runs any year he plays a full season in our park." Don would prove the prophetic manager to be correct, hitting 21, 29, and 22 home runs in 3 seasons with Philadelphia.
Don started slow with his new team in May, but quickly picked up steam in the month of June where he hit .337 with 4 home runs and 21 RBI. In August, he had a 10 day period from August 15 through 25 where he racked up 6 home runs and 13 RBI, including hitting a home run in three consecutive games. However, as the season dragged on, Don's nagging injuries caught up with him. Over the course of the year, Demeter had to sit out for a week in May with a pulled groin muscle, several more days in June after a jammed middle finger on his right hand, and four times with a left knee injury, with the fourth occurrence shutting him down for the short remainder of the season.
On September 12, Demeter had a titanic outing on the road against the very team that had traded him to Philadelphia just four months prior, the Los Angeles Dodgers. With the Phillies at 50 games under .500 and the Dodgers trying to just barely stay alive for the National League Pennant, Don hit three home runs and drove in seven runs en route to a 19-10 win, all but killing any chance of Los Angeles winning the pennant.
Don finished the season with a .257 average to go along with a team-high 70 RBI and a career-high 21 home runs.
, announced his retirement, sparking interest in making Demeter the Phillies new third baseman. Mauch had high expectations of Demeter, predicting that he and Roy Sievers
would be the two catalysts to make the Phillies successful and improve upon their 47-107 record from last season. This marked the first season where Don knew he would have regular playing time for the Phillies no matter what, whether it be at third base or in the outfield. "We have to have Don's bat in the lineup somewhere," said his manager.
Demeter agreed to terms on his contract for the 1962 season in early February. He impressed early in spring training games, having a two home run, five RBI effort against the Minnesota Twins
on March 10, 1962. On opening day at the Cincinnati Reds
, Demeter started at third base, hitting a home run and driving in three runners to contribute to a 12-4 win. He had three multiple home run games throughout the season, and on one occasion drove in 6 runners. Don's hottest month was August, where he hit .398 with a .669 slugging percentage, 8 home runs, and 31 RBI in 32 games. His stellar play down the stretch helped the Phillies win 30 of their final 44 games, giving them a final record of 81-80, which was an improvement of over 30 games from last year. The United Press International
named Gene Mauch the National League manager of the year.
On August 15 against the New York Mets, Demeter attained a bizarre feat. He hit two home runs that day off two separate players named Bob Miller. In the 3rd inning he hit a homer against Bob Lane Miller, and in the 9th another off Bob Gerald Miller.
1962 was a breakout season for Demeter. He led his team in all triple crown categories and more. His homers, runs batted in, and batting average were all top marks, as were his slugging percentage, OPS, and sacrifice flies
. Demeter became the first Phillies player in seven years to drive in over 100 runs since Del Ennis
in 1955. Don broke the top 10 in many offensive categories in the National League. Don placed 8th in home runs with 29, 7th in runs batted in with 107, 9th in batting average with a .307 mark, 6th in slugging with .520, 9th in OPS with an .879, 10th in at bats per home run with 19, 2nd in times hit by pitch with 10, and he had 11 sacrifice flies, a major league best. Demeter carried an offensive WAR mark of 5.4, 7th best in the league. He finished 12th in the voting for National League Most Valuable Player Award.
Defensively, his errors were way up from last season. In 1961, Demeter had only four errors. At third base for the 1962 season, Don's 18 errors was 5th worst in the National League and his .937 fielding percentage in 105 games at third base was the worst in the NL for all players that played 60 or more games at the position. Regular centerfielder Tony González was injured in mid-August with a back injury that left him hospitalized for three weeks, forcing Demeter back into his old position in the outfield for the remainder of the season. After season's end, Don played in an exhibition game on October 21 for a National League squad managed by Cardinals manager Johnny Keane
to face off against the American League in an all-star game sponsored by the Houston Professional Baseball Players Association.
from the Pittsburgh Pirates
. Demeter officially agreed to terms with his new contract on February 12, 1963. Demeter started the season with yet another hot start, hitting .455 with 4 home runs and 12 RBI during his 11 game hit streak. The Cardinals finally brought his streak to a close on the second game of a doubleheader on April 21, but Demeter quickly got things rolling again with another two-hit performance the next night.
On May 5, Don was involved in a dramatic play to end the game against the Houston Colt .45's
. Phillies pinch hitter Wayne Graham
hit a ground ball back toward Houston pitcher Hal Woodeshick
, who threw the ball back to catcher John Bateman. Demeter attempted to run towards home plate from third base and collided with Bateman, knocking the ball loose and scoring the final run in a 6-5 win. May 17 saw Don gain the distinction of being one of the select few in MLB history to score a run in a game against a pitcher that ended up throwing a no-hitter
. Don Nottebart
of Houston held the Phillies hitless, but in the fifth inning Demeter hit a ground ball past J. C. Hartman
, resulting in what was recorded as a two-base error. Clay Dalrymple
dropped a bunt to successfully move Demeter to 3rd, and he later scored on a sacrifice fly
from Hoak to tie the game at 1-1. Houston went on to win the game 4-1. Don missed several games in May against the Colts after taking a pitch that hit his right hand on the middle and index fingers, and two more in June when he jammed his right ankle while sliding back into first base against the Cardinals on June 12. Beginning on the day of Nottebart's no-hitter, Demeter was platooned to third base. Hoak was not living up to expectations at third, hitting just .197 before being benched.
Demeter got hot again in the last half of June, hitting six home runs over a period of nine games. He had his second multi-homer outing on June 19 at Cincinnati in a 6-5 loss in 10 innings, but had 10th inning heroics of his own on June 25 at Pittsburgh when he launched a home run in the top frame against Pirates reliever Harvey Haddix
. Demeter suffered another minor injury on July 28 when Don Drysdale of the Dodgers hit him on his right forearm, resulting in several more missed games on the season.
Demeter finished the season as the team-leader in RBIs with 83, one ahead of first baseman Roy Sievers
. He was also second in home runs with 22 to right fielder Johnny Callison
's 26. He ranked sixth in the National League in at bats per home run with 23.4. His 10 intentional walks were 8th highest in the league. Despite gathering 7 errors at third base, Demeter was the only player in the entire MLB to finish with a perfect 1.000% fielding percentage at center field, and also the only outfielder in the National League to accomplish the feat. Don finished 21st in the MVP balloting, getting just 3 vote points. Demeter tallied 63 runs scored, 20 doubles, and a .258 batting average.
In the offseason, Pittsburgh expressed interest in acquiring Demeter. Gene Mauch said he'd only consider the offer if Bill Mazeroski
or Roberto Clemente
were involved in the deal.
In a 1965 interview, Demeter alleged that when the Phillies put him at third base, they would sometimes alter the dynamics of the infield. He said, "They used to let the grass grow for me whenever I played third base over in Philly. And whenever Cal McLish
pitched, they'd be out there in the afternoon wetting down the grass in front of the plate." This was designed to make ground balls to Demeter roll slower.
for catcher Gus Triandos
and eventual hall-of-famer Jim Bunning
. Manager Charlie Dressen assigned Demeter to center field, moving previous starter Bill Bruton
to left. Commenting on the trade, Dressen remarked, "Demeter is a better all-around player than Rocky Colavito
." Dressen's plan early on was to have Demeter bat 3rd in the lineup against right-handed pitchers, and 5th against lefties. Demeter was excited to play alongside right fielder Al Kaline
, saying, "I've always thought he was the greatest thing to put on a uniform." In spring training, Demeter hit .364 in his first eight games as a Tiger, including a bases-loaded 3 RBI triple against the Cardinals on March 18. He finished the 27-game exhibition circuit with 12 RBI, second only to Norm Cash
.
Demeter injured his ankle in the first game of a doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins on April 19, hitting two foul balls off it. After the X-ray
s came back negative, he rejoined the team on April 22 against the Los Angeles Angels
with a special guard for the ankle. The setback resulted in a .138 batting average in his first seven games in the American League. However, he started to turn it around on April 26, hitting his first home run as a Tiger off Jim Kaat
. On April 29, he hit a decisive home run in the top of the 10th inning against the Kansas City Athletics
off reliever John Wyatt, leading the Tigers to a 5-4 win.
On May 23 at the Cleveland Indians
, Demeter went back to catch a long fly ball from Leon Wagner
, but as he tried to catch the ball, he hit his head on a padded metal bar on top of the outfield fence. The ball bounced off his glove and over the fence, resulting in a three-run home run for the Indians. Dressen remarked that he had seen the same incident occur with Billy Bruton on a three-run home run by Tommie Reynolds
at Kansas City on April 30.
Demeter was slumping for the first two months of the season, accruing a statline of just 2 home runs and 14 RBI in 37 games to go with a batting average of .238. On June 8 and 9, he turned it around by slugging for a combined 2 home runs and 9 RBI against the Twins. On June 13 he homered again against the Angels, and he followed it up by delivering a game-winning double on June 14 to complete a sweep of the three-game series. On July 14, Demeter hit a home run and drove in two runs, and also made what was described as a "spectacular" diving catch that denied the Angels an opportunity to score the tying run in the 9th inning. He commented that the day was his best game since joining the Tigers.
On July 31, Demeter set a Major League record with 206 consecutive errorless games in the outfield, passing former Phillies teammate Tony González's mark of 205. The streak began two seasons ago on September 3, 1962. Demeter downplayed the record, citing it as "deceptive." He remarked, "With the Phillies, I started quite a few games at third base and went to the outfield in the late innings." He claimed that he thought he made two errors throughout the 1964 season. "I lost one ball in the sun. Another one I didn't play very well in the wind. They were scored as hits. In my mind, they are errors." At season's end, he had extended his streak to 228 games.
From August 25 to 27 at the Boston Red Sox, Demeter had game winning hits in all three, leading to a Tigers sweep. In the September 7, 1964 issue of Sports Illustrated
, Demeter was awarded with player of the week honors for his clutch play.
Demeter finished the 1964 season with similar numbers to the prior season with the Phillies. He had 22 home runs and 80 runs batted in to complement a .256 batting average. He finished first in the Major Leagues in fielding percentage in the outfield with a perfect 1.000, the only qualifying player to accomplish the feat. Demeter finished 2nd on the team in RBI to Cash's 83, but he tied 8 games with RBIs and gave the Tigers the go ahead run in 28 more, posting a team-best 36 games overall.
for moving out of the state, Allie Reynolds
for retiring and Warren Spahn
for just getting old."
In spring training, Demeter had a two homer outing against the Washington Senators
on April 2, followed by another solo home run against the Cincinnati Reds on April 4. He later admitted after his two-homer outing, one over the right field wall and another over the right, that he wanted to try for a third home run over the wall in center field. However, he didn't get the chance as he was walked and subsequently pulled for a pinch runner. "It tears me up to walk when I'm swinging that good," Demeter said.
Demeter was the opening day starter in center field on April 12, 1965 at the Kansas City Athletics. Demeter was hit by a pitch from Athletics pitcher Moe Drabowsky
in the first inning, but he finished the game on 3-for-3 with a triple and two runs scored. Although it was intended for Demeter to remain in the outfield, Demeter was asked to again take his duties to the infield at first base. In May, he sat out several games after suffering a minor case of whiplash in the neck and shoulder after he slid head-first into third base.
Demeter played at first for almost every game for two months before returning to the outfield full-time in July to resume his record errorless streak, only for it to abruptly come to an end at 266 games on July 15 in an incredibly bizarre fashion. A dog ran onto the field as Demeter fielded a ball hit to him. Demeter looked at the dog, then promptly made a wild throw, ending his record-setting error-less game streak. The record would stand for almost 28 years to the day. On July 16, 1993, Darren Lewis played in his 267th consecutive error-less game.
On August 12 against the Athletics, Demeter hit a grand slam and had 7 RBI, tying a career high. However, the great moment couldn't be celebrated long as the next night against the Angels ended with Demeter being carried off the field in a stretcher and hospitalized overnight after a pitch in the fifth inning from California pitcher Dean Chance
struck him in the head, resulting in two missed games. Demeter suffered another injury on August 27 at Los Angeles, damaging his left wrist while trying to make a diving catch on a line drive hit by Jimmy Piersall
. After 12 X-rays, it was finally determined to be a sprain and not a broken wrist as originally diagnosed. It was the same wrist he broke in 1961 during his tenure with the Dodgers. Several key players were injured at the time, leading Demeter to remark, "I really feel sick for Charlie (Dressen). The poor guy gets his team where it can make a move and then injuries hit him."
Due to the injury-laden season, Demeter had his lowest output since 1961. In 122 games, Demeter had 16 home runs and 58 RBI. His batting average improved over last season, jumping from .256 to .278, second highest on the team to Kaline's .281. He was hit by 6 pitches on the year, 6th highest in the American League. He had a .400 batting average as a pinch hitter, furthering his reputation as the most clutch hitter for the Phillies.
Seven outfielders, including Demeter, were brought to the Tigers spring training facility in Lakeland, Florida
. Demeter was one of the last players to sign his contract for the 1966 season, receiving a raise to $33,000. Unlike years past, Demeter's spot as everyday starter in center field was not guaranteed. By March, it was already being predicted that Demeter was going to lose his position to a young Mickey Stanley
, who was described by Baseball Digest
magazine as a defensive ace. Demeter had trouble with a sore right shoulder during spring training, requiring a cortisone shot. Eventually, it was officially announced that he had lost his slot in center field to Stanley.
In the early days of the season, Demeter had an 0-for-23 slump, the worst of his career. It got to the point where manager Dressen told him to, "not pick up a bat," benching him for several games. Demeter had few offensive highlights in the opening months. On May 17 against the Yankees he broke a 2-2 tie with a two-run homer off New York pitcher Fritz Peterson
. Demeter remarked that the day was his wedding anniversary. "I've hit home runs six of the last seven years for her." Later, on May 21 at the Orioles, Demeter started a six-run rally in the 4th inning with a three-run home run off pitcher John Miller to tie the game 4-4.
were traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Joe Christopher
and pitcher Earl Wilson. The Red Sox had been attempting anywhere from several weeks to several months to obtain Demeter, offering a combination of catcher Bob Tillman
and an infielder, but the Tigers continually rejected the offers. General manager Billy Herman
had known Demeter ever since he was a coach for the Dodgers several years prior. Demeter was a player Herman wanted to acquire ever since he took the manager post in September 1964. "He (Demeter) is a good hitter with power. I know he will take good advantage of our left field wall." He went on to say, "One of the things I like best about Demeter is that I can use him at five positions. He can play anywhere in the outfield, and he can play both first and third base. Don will shake up a few people on this club." Herman cited that his then current plan was to put Demeter in center field, but was also considering playing him at third base, where Joe Foy
had been struggling offensively. Herman also said he would start Demeter at first base for a few days should rookie first baseman George Scott need any sort of rest.
Demeter went from a benchwarmer in Detroit to being an everyday starter once again in Boston. In his first game for the Sox on June 17, Demeter hit a home run off Orioles pitcher Steve Barber
to tie the game 2-2, but Boston would go on to lose the game 5-3. From his opening performance through the end of the month, he raised his batting average over 40 points by batting .348 with 3 home runs and 8 runs batted in. Even with the hot start in his new home, Demeter still sat out several games due to various ailments. A foul tip hit Demeter on the knee cost a few games. Later in July he had back problems that forced him to sit out intermittently.
On August 3 at Minnesota, the Twins scoreboard flashed a message to the crowd as Demeter walked to the plate saying, "Demeter a Dad." His first daughter had been born that night in Newton-Wellesley Hospital just outside of Boston earlier in the day. After the message flashed, Demeter launched the first pitch from Twins pitcher Dave Boswell
into the left field bleachers. While Demeter ran around the bases, the organist played the theme, "Rock-a-bye Baby
."
Demeter returned to Detroit for a four game series in early August. On August 6, he hit a home run off former teammate Denny McLain. In 7 games against his old team, Demeter ripped the team for 2 home runs, 7 runs batted in, a .381 batting average and a .762 slugging percentage.
Although Demeter had low offensive marks all around in his last days with the Detroit Tigers with a triple crown line of .212-5-12 in 32 games, he hit much better in his last 73 games with the Red Sox. He hit for a batting average of .292, the highest batting average for regular starters on the team. His .478 slugging percentage was second best to Tony Conigliaro
, and his .783 OPS ranked just behind Conigliaro (.817) and Carl Yastrzemski
(.799). Demeter thrived in his 37 games batting from the 5-hole. In 23 games, he posted a .372 batting average with 4 home runs, 14 runs batted in, and a .991 OPS. For the overall season, Demeter hit .268 with 14 home runs and 41 runs batted in, playing in 105 games.
After the season's end, Demeter's starting role in center field once again lost its guarantee despite the near .300 batting average. Rookie Reggie Smith
looked to be the new starting center fielder, with Jose Tartabull
to be his backup, leaving Demeter as the odd man out. Talks of trading Demeter surfaced in December, with some even suggesting that they try and trade him back to Detroit to retrieve pitcher Earl Wilson. Near the end of spring training, George Thomas
had also passed him by on the depth chart. In the regular season, Demeter rode the bench, not getting a start until May 7, Boston's 20th game of the season. He went 2-for-5 in the game with a double and a run scored, as well as two notedly hard line drive outs. After his successful first start, manager Dick Williams
told the Boston press that Demeter would likely start in right field for Conigliaro, but come the night of May 8, Conigliaro was starting in right and Demeter was once again riding the bench, much to his chagrin.
on June 4, 1967.
On June 19, with two men out in the bottom of the 9th and one man on base, Demeter pinch-hit for Indians pitcher Sonny Siebert
, hitting a game-tying home run, which later led to a 2-1 victory for Cleveland. Demeter missed several games towards the end of the month with a pulled leg muscle.
On August 31, 1967, the Detroit Tigers announced that they had bought Demeter from Cleveland. Demeter was going to be their first baseman, but the deal was called off as it was found out that Demeter had circulatory problems around the heart area and he never reported to the team. Demeter complained about chest pains and had several doctor examinations. It was originally diagnosed as a minor muscle strain, but an EKG on September 5 showed "changes which indicate a disturbance in his coronary artery circulation."
Demeter played in 51 games for Cleveland, batting .207 with 5 home runs and 12 runs batted in. For the 1967 season overall, he appeared in 71 games, hitting 6 home runs, driving in 16 runners, and batting .226. His best month was his final month, hitting .313 with 6 RBI and 2 home runs over 19 games in August before playing the final game of his major league career on August 28.
In early January 1968, Demeter was still listed on the Indians roster, but he was heavily considering retirement.
On February 29, 1968, Don Demeter officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball. He reported for spring training in Tucson, Arizona
and successfully passed a complete physical examination, but still decided to end his career due to potential health concerns about his heart from September. The doctor said Demeter didn't have a heart attack or suffer damages to his heart, but Demeter ended by saying, "However, the doctor added that there was the possibility that I'd be running down the line some day and have an attack."
Demeter participated in the first ever old-timer's game hosted by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He started in center field for the 1960s Dodgers. The 1950s Dodgers won the game 1-0 in front of a crowd of 48,227.
with 163 home run
s and 563 RBI
in 1109 games played
. He had a career average of 21.1 at bats per home run, which stands as one of the top 150 rates of all-time as of 2010.
in 1979. Todd played four seasons in the Yankees farm system and two with the St. Louis Cardinals, but never advanced past Class AA. Two of his grandchildren, Cole and Caden Cleveland, were stars at Christian Heritage Academy with All-State honors, and are currently set to play Division 1 college baseball at Morehead State in Kentucky.
After winning the World Series with the Dodgers in 1959, Demeter returned home to Oklahoma City to spend the winter as a youth director at a Baptist church. In Oklahoma City, he lived near neighbor Washington Senators
catcher Mike Brumley
, who often accompanied Demeter to church appearances several nights a week throughout Oklahoma and Texas throughout the years, as well as a special series of church meetings in Alaska in 1966. In the aftermath of his career-best 1962 season, Don toured on a team put together by Willie Mays
, was a speaker at church functions across five states, and finally in February 1963 went on a church-sponsored tour of Japan along with Yankees second baseman Bobby Richardson
. The tour was sponsored by the Texas Baptist Convention
in order to participate in what was referred to as the "New Life Campaign". They gave Christian testimonies to locals and spoke to Japanese professional baseball players. Before leaving, they held a news conferenece, emphasizing their goals in their trip to Japan. They said, "We are two Christians from the United States. We are here to present our witness for Christ."
Demeter did not drink, smoke, or curse during his baseball career. He also rejected endorsement deals for advertising alcohol and tobacco products.
Once his baseball career was over, Don returned home to Oklahoma to start a pool-building business and later became a preacher. In 1973, Don became president of the minor league Oklahoma City 89ers.
Demeter entered a political race in 1976 as a Republican
, losing a bid for a seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives
.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma...
) is a former 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...
, 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...
, and first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
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 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...
, Los Angeles 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...
, Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, 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"...
, and Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. He batted and threw right-handed.
From September 1962 to July 1965, Demeter had 266 consecutive errorless
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 ...
games in the outfield, a Major League record that would stand for almost 30 years until Darren Lewis
Darren Lewis
Darren Joel Lewis is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Oakland Athletics , San Francisco Giants , Cincinnati Reds , Chicago White Sox , Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox ; he played his final season in 2002 with the Chicago Cubs...
broke the mark in 1994 with 369.
Don Demeter is a member of The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.
Early career
In 1945, Demeter started his life in baseball when he joined the Oklahoma City YMCA Junior League. In Demeter's senior year at Capital Hill High School, his team won 59 games of 60. They went on to win the 1953 Oklahoma state title. After graduation, the New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
signed two members of the team, while the Brooklyn Dodgers signed Don and eight of his teammates. He was signed by Dodgers scout Bert Wells. While his classmates each received a $3,000 signing bonus, Demeter was given only $800. Demeter was the only member of the Capitol Hill High School starting varsity team that was not chosen to be on the Oklahoma City all-star prep team, yet he would be the only player to go on to be a success in the Major Leagues. By 1959, Don was the only remaining Capital Hill High alumni of 11 that was still in professional organized baseball in any capacity. As a stepping stone to professional baseball, in the early 1950s Demeter played ball for the American Legion
American Legion Baseball
American Legion Baseball is a variety of amateur baseball played by teenage boys in 50 states in the USA. More than five thousand teams participate each year. The American Legion Department of South Dakota established the program in 1925 at Milbank, South Dakota...
's Mosier's Tiremen of Oklahoma City. After signing with the Dodgers, Don was assigned to the Minor League
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...
Class D Sooner State League
Sooner State League
The Sooner State League was a minor league baseball league that operated from 1947 through 1957. The league owners kept it alive in 1958, anticipating a return to play in 1959. However, when only Ardmore and Paris, Texas, were able to secure working agreements, the League folded on February 12,...
Shawnee Hawks
Shawnee Hawks
The Shawnee Hawks were a minor league baseball team that played in the Sooner State League. The team began as an unaffiliated team based in Duncan, Oklahoma in 1947. The original team was named the Duncan Cementers....
. For his first season of professional baseball, he was paid a salary of $150 a month. In 104 games for the Hawks, Don had a .223 batting average to go with 9 home runs, 6 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, and 42 RBI. After the disappointing season, Demeter said, "I don't enjoy baseball. I'm not sure I should continue it," feeling that he was living a more useful life. His passion for the game was reinvigorated though after the 1954 World Series
1954 World Series
The 1954 World Series matched the National League champion New York Giants against the American League champion Cleveland Indians. The Giants swept the Series in four games to win their first championship since , defeating the heavily favored Indians, who had won an AL-record 111 games in the...
. "But when I saw Alvin Dark
Alvin Dark
Alvin Ralph Dark , nicknamed "Blackie" and "The Swamp Fox", is a former shortstop and manager in Major League Baseball who played for five National League teams from 1946 to 1960. Named the major leagues' Rookie of the Year with the Boston Braves when he batted .322...
tithed the church from his 1954 World Series share, I realized that baseball could have a very real meaning.".
For the 1954 season, Don was promoted to the Class C California League
California League
The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
Bakersfield Indians
Bakersfield Blaze
The Bakersfield Blaze are a minor league baseball team in Bakersfield, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and are a farm team of the Cincinnati Reds. The Bakersfield Blaze play their home games at Historic Sam Lynn Ballpark...
, where he hit .267 with 26 home runs and 89 RBI. In December 1954, Demeter decided to put in some extra playing time and experience by going to 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...
and playing for team Cabimas. In the 33 game loop, Don hit .306 with 15 RBI, half of which came from two grand slams over the course of the season.
He began the 1955 season with the Class A Pueblo Dodgers
Pueblo Dodgers
The Pueblo Dodgers were a minor league baseball team that was located in Pueblo, Colorado and played in the Western League from 1947-1958.An affiliate of the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers, Pueblo won two league championships but folded when the Western League went under in 1959.-External links:**...
of
1955 Pueblo Western League
Western League (defunct minor league)
The Western League is a name given to several circuits in American minor league baseball. Its earliest progenitor, which existed from 1885 to 1899, was the predecessor of the American League...
. He impressed early, hitting .262 with 5 home runs and 23 RBI in 39 games before being promoted to the Class AA Southern Association
Southern Association
The Southern Association was a higher-level minor league in American organized baseball from 1901 through 1961. For most of its existence, the Southern Association was two steps below the Major Leagues; it was graded Class A , Class A1 and Class AA...
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...
. In 92 games at Mobile, Don his .251 with 11 home runs and 36 RBI.
Don rejoined Cabimas for winter league play in the 1955-56 Venezuelan Occidental League. Demeter set the pace early in the league, hitting for a .433 average with 7 home runs and 12 RBI in his first 60 at bats. On January 21, 1956, Demeter tied a Venezuela national record by hitting 16 home runs in a season, hitting two in one game. Demeter finished the winter-ball season second in the league in batting average with a .369 mark and tied for first in home runs with 17, compiling 73 hits and 38 runs scored in 52 games.
Demeter continued his Venezuelan power surge back in the States for the AA Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
Fort Worth Cats
Fort Worth Cats (Texas League)
The Fort Worth Cats were a minor league baseball team that played in the Texas League from 1932 to 1942, from 1946 to 1958, and in 1964. They were affiliated with the Indianapolis Indians in 1933, the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1946 to 1956, and with the Chicago Cubs from 1957 to 1958 and in...
. Don went on a tear in the 1956 season. He hit home runs on four consecutive days from April 24 to 27, and six in his last seven games, a new league record. On May 20, he had a 5 hit day that included his 10th home run of the season in a 17–4 victory over San Antonio. Don finished the year with 41 home runs and 128 RBI, both second only to minor league journeyman Ken Guettler, who had 143 runs batted in and shattered the Texas League record for home runs with 62. He also was very busy in center field for the Cats, leading the league 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 with 442. Demeter was selected to the Texas League All-Star Team, receiving a scroll and a $100 check. Fort Worth General Manager
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
Spencer Harris
Spencer Harris
Anthony Spencer Harris , was an American baseball player who played outfielder in the Major Leagues from 1925-1930. He played for the Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Athletics, and Washington Senators.-External links:...
compared him to an all-time great, saying, "He's ahead of Duke Snider
Duke Snider
Edwin Donald "Duke" Snider , nicknamed "The Silver Fox" and "The Duke of Flatbush", was a Major League Baseball center fielder and left-handed batter who played for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers , New York Mets , and San Francisco Giants .Snider was elected to the National Baseball Hall of...
at a similar stage in Duke's development."
Don played his first major league game on September 18, 1956, pinch hitting in the bottom of the 3rd inning for pitcher Roger Craig
Roger Craig (baseball)
Roger Craig may refer to:*Roger Craig , former NFL running back*Roger Craig , former pitcher, coach and manager in Major League Baseball...
. He struck out against St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
hurler Vinegar Bend Mizell, taking all three strikes looking. Mizell and Demeter later became very close Christian friends. Don got over his rookie jitters the next day against the Cards, hitting a 2-1 pitch off Don Liddle
Don Liddle
Donald Eugene Liddle was an American left-handed pitcher in professional baseball who played four seasons in the Major Leagues for the Milwaukee Braves, New York Giants and St. Louis Cardinals from through...
into the left field stands to contribute to a 17-2 victory. Demeter finished the season 1 for 3.
He didn't compete for the Dodgers in the 1956 World Series
1956 World Series
The 1956 World Series of Major League Baseball was played between the New York Yankees and the defending champion Brooklyn Dodgers during the month of October 1956. The Series was a rematch of the 1955 World Series...
, but did join the team for a playing tour through Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. In the 18 game series, the Dodgers went 14-4 with Demeter hitting above .300 and five home runs, just one behind the team leaders Gil Hodges
Gil Hodges
Gilbert Ray Hodges was an American Major League Baseball first baseman and manager. During an 18-year baseball career, he played in 1943 and from 1947–63, spending most of his career with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers...
and Duke Snider. During the tour, Dodgers Vice President Buzzie Bavasi
Buzzie Bavasi
Emil Joseph "Buzzie" Bavasi was an American executive in Major League Baseball who played a major role in the operation of three franchises from the late 1940s through the mid-1980s....
named Demeter as one of the stars ready for the Majors. The Dodgers were offered $750,000 for Demeter and five other prospects, but the offer was turned down. On November 2, Bavasi announced that Demeter would be one of the prospects invited to an early tryout training camp at Vero Beach, Florida
Vero Beach, Florida
Vero Beach is a city in Indian River County, Florida, USA. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 estimates, the city had a population of 16,939. It is the county seat of Indian River County...
the next February. 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...
president Warren Giles
Warren Giles
Warren Crandall Giles was a National League executive in Major League Baseball.-Baseball:Giles was elected president of the Moline, Illinois baseball club in the Three-I League in 1919 and began a 50-year career in baseball that saw him rise all the way to the presidency of the National League...
gave Don very high praise, saying that he, "should make the grade as a regular with the Dodgers next season. He played outstanding ball in Japan." Brooklyn President Walter O'Malley
Walter O'Malley
Walter Francis O'Malley was an American sports executive who owned the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers team in Major League Baseball from to . He served as Brooklyn Dodgers chief legal counsel when Jackie Robinson broke the racial color barrier in...
announced during the Japan tour his plans to move Duke Snider over to left field to make room for Demeter in center.
Before the 1957 season, Demeter was rated as one of the top 8 rookie prospects in February in a poll conducted by 12 major league organizations. On January 12, he signed his contract to play with the Dodgers for the year. In an exhibition rematch of last year's World Series, the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
1-0 in 11 innings after Demeter hit a double and later in the inning scored on a wild throw by Gil McDougald
Gil McDougald
Gilbert James McDougald was an American infielder who spent all ten seasons of his Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1960. He was a member of eight American League pennant winners and five World Series Champions. He was also the AL Rookie of the Year in 1951 and...
as he ran to third. Overall, Don failed to impress during spring training and was cut by the Dodgers on March 31 and subsequently optioned to the AAA St. Paul Saints 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...
.
Don started the season very strong, hitting .350 with 35 RBI and a league-leading 12 home runs through June 5. On July 4, Demeter helped his team improbably overcome an 8-1 deficit by hitting three home runs to help the Saints beat the Minneapolis Millers
Minneapolis Millers
The Minneapolis Millers were an American professional minor league baseball team that played in Minneapolis, Minnesota, until 1960. In the 19th century a different Minneapolis Millers were part of the Western League.The team played first in Athletic Park and later Nicollet Park.The name Minneapolis...
9-8. Two days later, he was selected to the American Association all-star team on July 6, 1957. He was one of only four unanimous picks by the league's broadcasters and writers.
On July 14, Demeter had to leave a game after severely pulling a tendon in his left hand. Still hurt, Don returned on August 2 to pinch hit a game winning double in the 10th inning to beat Louisville 3-2. However, the injury still severely limited Demeter's play all the way to September.
By season's end, Demeter's numbers were down from last year, but still highly productive. His 28 home runs were good enough for 3rd in the league, he was 5th in OPS
On-base plus slugging
On-base plus slugging is a sabermetric baseball statistic calculated as the sum of a player's on-base percentage and slugging percentage. The ability of a player to both get on base and to hit for power, two important hitting skills, are represented. An OPS of .900 or higher in Major League...
with a mark of .940, 3rd in steals with 13, and 3rd in slugging percentage at .562. Don finished the season with 86 RBI and a .309 batting average in 134 games. He appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948 to Sunday June 6, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan....
on September 29 after being voted to the all AAA team. Dodger VP Bavasi recalled Demeter from St. Paul after his minor league team was eliminated from the Association playoffs, but once he learned that Don was one of the players selected to the team, he told Demeter to go to Hollywood instead.
1958–1959 season
At the start of the 1958 season, The Sporting News listed Demeter as the, "kid with greatest potential," and, "best bet for batting title," titles for the newly relocated Los Angeles DodgersLos 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...
. After serving a six month term with the Army
Army
An army An army An army (from Latin arma "arms, weapons" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based military of a nation or state. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
in San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, Demeter was discharged on April 17, 1958 and left to immediately join the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Playing time was initially scarce for him, only playing in 6 games before being optioned back to the AAA St. Paul Saints
St. Paul Saints
The St. Paul Saints are a professional baseball team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the United States. The Saints are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
on May 9. In 80 games with St. Paul, Demeter hit .283 with 14 home runs and 48 RBI.
Demeter was recalled to the majors by the Dodgers on July 30. To make room for him on the roster, Randy Jackson was sold to the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
for $20,000. Don struggled in his first full month as a regular Major Leaguer. In the month of August, he hit just .148 with 1 home run and 2 RBI in 54 at bats. Demeter started to get more comfortable in mid-September, hitting .263 with 4 homers in his final 12 games. Don finished his rollercoaster short season for the Dodgers with a .189 batting average, 5 home runs, and 8 RBI in 43 games.
Don signed a new contract with the Dodgers on February 16, 1959 for $8,500. At the Dodgers camp in Vero Beach, Florida
Vero Beach, Florida
Vero Beach is a city in Indian River County, Florida, USA. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 estimates, the city had a population of 16,939. It is the county seat of Indian River County...
, Demeter took the time to try to reinvent himself as a hitter. He was always going for the home run swing, which resulted in 32 strikeouts in just 106 at bats last season. Manager Walter Alston
Walter Alston
Walter Emmons Alston , nicknamed "Smokey," was an American baseball player and manager. He was born in Venice, Ohio but grew up in Darrtown. He is a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he lettered three years in both basketball and baseball and is a member of the University's Hall...
and new coach Pee Wee Reese
Pee Wee Reese
Harold Peter Henry "Pee Wee" Reese was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from to . A ten-time All Star, Reese contributed to seven National League championships for the Dodgers and, was inducted...
would be his teachers. Reese stated that Don was upper-cutting at the ball with each swing, and Pee Wee had him cut down on his swing, which led to immediate results. Alston had Demeter stand outside the batting cage and hit ground balls to the infielders while waiting for his turn in the cage. Don and Alston agreed that the simple exercise helped level off Demeter's swing. While adapting his new batting style, Demeter injured himself on February 27 by pulling a muscle in his right leg. It was not serious, and Demeter returned to spring training play in less than a week. On March 12, he had a game-winning single with the bases loaded against the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
in the 9th inning to give the Dodgers the 7-6 win.
The Dodgers finally carried out their original plan for Demeter for the most part, set all the way back in September 1956. He became the new starter in center field, while Duke Snider was moved over to right field. Don had a very successful spring training and was expected to be the opening day starting centerfielder against the Chicago Cubs
Chicago 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...
, but instead he rode the bench for the duration of the game. The next day, Duke Snider's lingering knee problems came back, and Demeter was given his first start of the season with the temperature around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The new and improved Don Demeter made the best first impression he could, hitting a home run and a single while driving in two runs en route to a 5-3 win. Snider started the next game, the series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. In his second start the next day, Don hit another homer. The next day, another home run. In just three starts, Don already had three home runs and six runs batted in. Demeter was only just getting started with his April tear.
On April 21 against the San Francisco 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....
, he hit three home runs and had six RBI in a single game. In the 3rd inning off Giants pitcher Dom Zanni
Dom Zanni
Dominick Thomas Zanni is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds from 1958 to 1966....
, Demeter hit the first ever inside-the-park home run
Inside-the-park home run
In baseball parlance, an inside-the-park home run, "leg home run", or "quadruple", is a play where a batter hits a home run without hitting the ball out of play.-Discussion:...
at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a large outdoor sports stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, at Exposition Park, that is home to the Pacific-12 Conference's University of Southern California Trojans football team...
. The next inning saw another home run, this time off Mike McCormick
Mike McCormick (pitcher)
Michael Francis McCormick is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the New York Giants from 1956 to 1958, then the San Francisco Giants from 1958 to 1970...
and to deep left. Demeter capped off the performance by hitting a game winning walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the 11th inning off Al Worthington
Al Worthington
Allan Fulton Worthington , nicknamed "Red", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Giants , Boston Red Sox , Chicago White Sox , Cincinnati Reds and Minnesota Twins . Worthington batted and threw right-handed...
to win the game 9-7. It was the first and only game of his career where Don had an inside-the-park or walk-off home run. Don was the first Dodger to hit three home runs in a single game since Snider did it four years prior on June 1, 1955 at Ebbets Field
Ebbets Field
Ebbets Field was a Major League Baseball park located in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York, USA, on a city block which is now considered to be part of the Crown Heights neighborhood. It was the home of the Brooklyn Dodgers of the National League. It was also a venue for professional football...
. As of July 2009, only 22 players in the history of the majors since 1900 had three home runs in a single game during their rookie season. Demeter was the 1st Dodger and 9th overall to accomplish the feat, sharing the accomplishment with hall-of-famers Eddie Mathews
Eddie Mathews
Edwin Lee "Eddie" Mathews was an American Major League Baseball third baseman. He is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen ever to play the game.-Early life:...
and Mickey Cochrane
Mickey Cochrane
Gordon Stanley "Mickey" Cochrane was a professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers...
. The next morning, a photographer got Demeter out of bed at 5 in the morning to take photos for an afternoon Los Angeles newspaper.
In Don's first 15 games, he hit .345 with 6 home runs and 21 RBI, challenging early for the NL's rare triple crown title. On Demeter's early success, Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
manager Eddie Sawyer
Eddie Sawyer
Edwin Milby Sawyer was an American manager and scout in Major League Baseball. As a manager, he led the 1950 Philadelphia Phillies — the "Whiz Kids", as the youthful club was known — to the second National League championship in team history.-A scholar-athlete:Born in Westerly, Rhode Island,...
remarked, "Seldom have I seen a player come so far so fast. When I saw him for the first time late last season, he was just another journeyman. Now he's a real good-looking ball player."
Demeter had another multiple home run game in an 11-0 win over the Phillies. Don's bat eventually slowed down, but he still had well above average numbers for the months of May and June, hitting a combined .278 with 10 home runs and 34 RBI. Once summer hit its full stride, however, Don countered his three month offensive production with two months of offensive despair, hitting below .160 in both months and having only 2 home runs. The bad luck reached its height on August 18 when he dropped an "easy" pop fly against the Milwaukee Braves in the bottom of the 9th inning. The Braves tied the game, but the Dodgers later won it 7-6 in 13 innings. Demeter attempted to stop the tying run from coming home, but the catcher had thought the game was over. He said later, "When I threw it to home plate, it was a perfect strike. But there was nobody there to catch it, because (Johnny) Roseboro
Johnny Roseboro
John Junior Roseboro was a Major League Baseball catcher and coach, who was born in Ashland, Ohio.-Career:A left-handed-hitter, Roseboro had a lifetime .249 batting average with 104 home runs and 548 RBI in 1585 games played with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers , Minnesota Twins and...
was out at the mound congratulating (Don) Drysdale
Don Drysdale
Donald Scott "Don" Drysdale was a Major League Baseball player and Hall of Fame right-handed pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was one of the dominant starting pitchers of the 1960s, and became a radio and television broadcaster following his playing career...
on the victory." On the bus ride to the hotel, Demeter shook every one of his teammate's hands, showing his appreciation for "the team's win". At season's end they were tied with the Braves for the National League pennant. They won the playoff and a berth in the World Series. Demeter later said, "My error could have lost us the World Championship."
Don finished the regular season with 18 home runs and 70 RBI in 139 games. He was hit by 6 pitches, good enough for 4th in the National League. He also had the 5th highest fielding percentage at center field with a mark of .983. His strikeout numbers were high, coming in 7th in the NL with 87.
Don played in all six games of the 1959 World Series for the Dodgers. He replaced Duke Snider late in the first two games, started the next three, and came off the bench once more in the decisive game six. In 12 at bats, Don hit .250 with 2 runs scored. Demeter tithed his World Series earnings to his church.
Early in the offseason, there were talks of trading Demeter. Near the end of November, there was a six player offer between Los Angeles and the Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, where Washington wanted Don in place of Sandy Amoros
Sandy Amorós
Edmundo "Sandy" Amorós Isasi was a Cuban left fielder in Major League Baseball for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers. Amorós was born in Havana. He both batted and threw left-handed...
. The Dodgers were reluctant to lose their 24-year-old hitter, offering outfielder Ron Fairly
Ron Fairly
Ronald Ray Fairly is a former Major League Baseball player and broadcaster. He either played in or broadcast over 7,000 major league games from through .-College career:...
to the Senators in Demeter's stead. Washington continued to hold out on the trade for Demeter until Los Angeles officially killed the deal on December 2. The Dodgers had confidence in Don, believing that he was beginning to overcome the many weakness in his hitting game that plagued him in previous seasons.
1960–1961 season
Demeter signed a $14,000 one year contract with Los Angeles on February 11, 1960. Coming into training camp, team management was pleased that he gained 12 pounds in the offseason, raising his total weight to 185 pounds. In an intrasquad game on March 11 at Vero Beach, Don hit a home run off eventual Hall of Famer Sandy KoufaxSandy Koufax
Sanford "Sandy" Koufax is a former left-handed baseball pitcher who played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers...
.
On April 12, Demeter had his first opening day start in the Major Leagues. He started the majority of the team's games until July 3, where he fractured his wrist on the road against 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...
after colliding with Los Angeles shortstop Maury Wills
Maury Wills
Maurice Morning "Maury" Wills is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and switch-hitting batter who played most prominently with the Los Angeles Dodgers , and also with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Montreal Expos...
, prematurely ending Don's season. In the shortened year, he hit .274 with 9 home runs and 29 RBI in 64 games.
Of all the players on the Dodgers roster, general manager Bavasi believed that the key Dodger of the upcoming 1961 season was Demeter, expecting Don to make a large comeback after his disappointing outing last season. "If Don can show us the Demeter of early 1959, we won't have to look for added power. We'll have all we need." It was announced on February 14, 1961, that Demeter had signed his new yearly contract with the Dodgers for around $16,000. However, Don would have stiff competition to regain his starting role in center field. Newcomer Willie Davis
Willie Davis (baseball)
William Henry Davis was a center fielder in Major League Baseball who played most of his career for the Los Angeles Dodgers...
, coming off a huge season in 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...
and last season's number one player of the year as named by The Sporting News, was considered a serious threat to take Demeter's job. By the start of the season, Demeter had his role reduced to coming off the bench.
1961 season
Before opening day for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1961, talks had already started between the Dodgers and the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for a potential trade involving Demeter and Phillies reliever Turk Farrell
Turk Farrell
Richard Joseph "Turk" Farrell was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who had a 14-year career from 1956 to 1969...
. A deal was reached on May 4, sending Don and Charley Smith
Charley Smith
Charles William Smith was a third baseman in Major League Baseball. He played for a number of teams in his career which lasted from 1960-1969. His most notable fact is that on December 8, 1966 the St. Louis Cardinals traded him to the New York Yankees straight up for Roger Maris.-External links:...
to Philadelphia for Farrell and Joe Koppe
Joe Koppe
Joseph Koppe , born Joseph Kopchia in Detroit, Michigan, was an American Major League Baseball player for the Milwaukee Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Angels....
. Phillies manager Gene Mauch
Gene Mauch
Gene William Mauch was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a second baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers , Pittsburgh Pirates , Chicago Cubs , Boston Braves , St...
was glad about the deal, announcing immediately after the trade that Demeter would be a starter immediately. Mauch remarked, "There aren't many better center fielders around than he is, and you can put it in the book right now that he'll hit more than 20 home runs any year he plays a full season in our park." Don would prove the prophetic manager to be correct, hitting 21, 29, and 22 home runs in 3 seasons with Philadelphia.
Don started slow with his new team in May, but quickly picked up steam in the month of June where he hit .337 with 4 home runs and 21 RBI. In August, he had a 10 day period from August 15 through 25 where he racked up 6 home runs and 13 RBI, including hitting a home run in three consecutive games. However, as the season dragged on, Don's nagging injuries caught up with him. Over the course of the year, Demeter had to sit out for a week in May with a pulled groin muscle, several more days in June after a jammed middle finger on his right hand, and four times with a left knee injury, with the fourth occurrence shutting him down for the short remainder of the season.
On September 12, Demeter had a titanic outing on the road against the very team that had traded him to Philadelphia just four months prior, the Los Angeles Dodgers. With the Phillies at 50 games under .500 and the Dodgers trying to just barely stay alive for the National League Pennant, Don hit three home runs and drove in seven runs en route to a 19-10 win, all but killing any chance of Los Angeles winning the pennant.
Don finished the season with a .257 average to go along with a team-high 70 RBI and a career-high 21 home runs.
1962 season
In August 1961, the Dodgers began experimenting with moving him into the infield at first base. Two months later, Dodgers management expected Don to be their regular first baseman on opening day. Plans changed when recent acquisition, third baseman Andy CareyAndy Carey
Andrew Arthur Carey is a former major league third baseman for the New York Yankees , and three other major league teams from 1960 to 1962...
, announced his retirement, sparking interest in making Demeter the Phillies new third baseman. Mauch had high expectations of Demeter, predicting that he and Roy Sievers
Roy Sievers
Roy Edward Sievers is a former first baseman/left fielder in Major League Baseball. From through , Sievers played for the St. Louis Browns , the original Washington Senators , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , and finally the new Senators...
would be the two catalysts to make the Phillies successful and improve upon their 47-107 record from last season. This marked the first season where Don knew he would have regular playing time for the Phillies no matter what, whether it be at third base or in the outfield. "We have to have Don's bat in the lineup somewhere," said his manager.
Demeter agreed to terms on his contract for the 1962 season in early February. He impressed early in spring training games, having a two home run, five RBI effort against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
on March 10, 1962. On opening day at the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, Demeter started at third base, hitting a home run and driving in three runners to contribute to a 12-4 win. He had three multiple home run games throughout the season, and on one occasion drove in 6 runners. Don's hottest month was August, where he hit .398 with a .669 slugging percentage, 8 home runs, and 31 RBI in 32 games. His stellar play down the stretch helped the Phillies win 30 of their final 44 games, giving them a final record of 81-80, which was an improvement of over 30 games from last year. The United Press International
United Press International
United Press International is a once-major international news agency, whose newswires, photo, news film and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines and radio and television stations for most of the twentieth century...
named Gene Mauch the National League manager of the year.
On August 15 against the New York Mets, Demeter attained a bizarre feat. He hit two home runs that day off two separate players named Bob Miller. In the 3rd inning he hit a homer against Bob Lane Miller, and in the 9th another off Bob Gerald Miller.
1962 was a breakout season for Demeter. He led his team in all triple crown categories and more. His homers, runs batted in, and batting average were all top marks, as were his slugging percentage, OPS, and sacrifice flies
Sacrifice fly
In baseball, a sacrifice fly is a batted ball that satisfies four criteria:* There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit.* The ball is hit to the outfield....
. Demeter became the first Phillies player in seven years to drive in over 100 runs since Del Ennis
Del Ennis
Delmer Ennis was an American left and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played most of his career for the Philadelphia Phillies. From 1949 to 1957, Ennis accumulated more runs batted in than anyone besides Stan Musial and was 8th in the National League in home runs...
in 1955. Don broke the top 10 in many offensive categories in the National League. Don placed 8th in home runs with 29, 7th in runs batted in with 107, 9th in batting average with a .307 mark, 6th in slugging with .520, 9th in OPS with an .879, 10th in at bats per home run with 19, 2nd in times hit by pitch with 10, and he had 11 sacrifice flies, a major league best. Demeter carried an offensive WAR mark of 5.4, 7th best in the league. He finished 12th in the voting for National League Most Valuable Player Award.
Defensively, his errors were way up from last season. In 1961, Demeter had only four errors. At third base for the 1962 season, Don's 18 errors was 5th worst in the National League and his .937 fielding percentage in 105 games at third base was the worst in the NL for all players that played 60 or more games at the position. Regular centerfielder Tony González was injured in mid-August with a back injury that left him hospitalized for three weeks, forcing Demeter back into his old position in the outfield for the remainder of the season. After season's end, Don played in an exhibition game on October 21 for a National League squad managed by Cardinals manager Johnny Keane
Johnny Keane
John Joseph Keane was an American manager in Major League Baseball. Born in St. Louis, Missouri and known as a patient manager of young players, Keane participated in one of the strangest turns of events in baseball history in , his final season at the helm of the St...
to face off against the American League in an all-star game sponsored by the Houston Professional Baseball Players Association.
1963 season
In a move to potentially get Demeter back into left field on a regular basis, the Phillies acquired all-star Don HoakDon Hoak
Donald Albert Hoak was a Major League Baseball player. Nicknamed "Tiger," Hoak was a third baseman who played ten seasons in the Majors with the Brooklyn Dodgers , Chicago Cubs , Cincinnati Reds , Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies...
from 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...
. Demeter officially agreed to terms with his new contract on February 12, 1963. Demeter started the season with yet another hot start, hitting .455 with 4 home runs and 12 RBI during his 11 game hit streak. The Cardinals finally brought his streak to a close on the second game of a doubleheader on April 21, but Demeter quickly got things rolling again with another two-hit performance the next night.
On May 5, Don was involved in a dramatic play to end the game against the Houston Colt .45's
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. Phillies pinch hitter Wayne Graham
Wayne Graham
Wayne Leon Graham is a former major-league baseball player and the college baseball coach of the Rice Owls baseball team in Houston, Texas.-Playing career:...
hit a ground ball back toward Houston pitcher Hal Woodeshick
Hal Woodeshick
Harold Joseph Woodeshick was an American left-handed pitcher who spent eleven seasons in Major League Baseball with the Detroit Tigers , Cleveland Indians , both Washington Senators , Houston Colt .45s/Astros and St. Louis Cardinals...
, who threw the ball back to catcher John Bateman. Demeter attempted to run towards home plate from third base and collided with Bateman, knocking the ball loose and scoring the final run in a 6-5 win. May 17 saw Don gain the distinction of being one of the select few in MLB history to score a run in a game against a pitcher that ended up throwing a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
. Don Nottebart
Don Nottebart
Donald Edward Nottebart was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for five teams from 1960 to 1969. Primarily a reliever, he spent the 1963 to 1965 seasons as a starter with the Houston Colt .45s/Astros, and threw the first no-hitter in franchise history in 1963...
of Houston held the Phillies hitless, but in the fifth inning Demeter hit a ground ball past J. C. Hartman
J. C. Hartman
J C Hartman is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. He played parts of two seasons, and , for the Houston Colt .45s. Hartman also played for the Kansas City Monarchs in , when they were a barnstorming team.-Sources:...
, resulting in what was recorded as a two-base error. Clay Dalrymple
Clay Dalrymple
Clayton Errol Dalrymple was a professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for the Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles . Dalrymple was known for his strong throwing arm and solid defensive skills...
dropped a bunt to successfully move Demeter to 3rd, and he later scored on a sacrifice fly
Sacrifice fly
In baseball, a sacrifice fly is a batted ball that satisfies four criteria:* There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit.* The ball is hit to the outfield....
from Hoak to tie the game at 1-1. Houston went on to win the game 4-1. Don missed several games in May against the Colts after taking a pitch that hit his right hand on the middle and index fingers, and two more in June when he jammed his right ankle while sliding back into first base against the Cardinals on June 12. Beginning on the day of Nottebart's no-hitter, Demeter was platooned to third base. Hoak was not living up to expectations at third, hitting just .197 before being benched.
Demeter got hot again in the last half of June, hitting six home runs over a period of nine games. He had his second multi-homer outing on June 19 at Cincinnati in a 6-5 loss in 10 innings, but had 10th inning heroics of his own on June 25 at Pittsburgh when he launched a home run in the top frame against Pirates reliever Harvey Haddix
Harvey Haddix
Harvey Haddix, Jr. was a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher who played with the St. Louis Cardinals , Philadelphia Phillies , Cincinnati Redlegs , Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles . Haddix was born in Medway, Ohio, located just outside of Springfield...
. Demeter suffered another minor injury on July 28 when Don Drysdale of the Dodgers hit him on his right forearm, resulting in several more missed games on the season.
Demeter finished the season as the team-leader in RBIs with 83, one ahead of first baseman Roy Sievers
Roy Sievers
Roy Edward Sievers is a former first baseman/left fielder in Major League Baseball. From through , Sievers played for the St. Louis Browns , the original Washington Senators , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , and finally the new Senators...
. He was also second in home runs with 22 to right fielder Johnny Callison
Johnny Callison
John Wesley Callison was an American right fielder in Major League Baseball, best known for his years with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1960 to 1969...
's 26. He ranked sixth in the National League in at bats per home run with 23.4. His 10 intentional walks were 8th highest in the league. Despite gathering 7 errors at third base, Demeter was the only player in the entire MLB to finish with a perfect 1.000% fielding percentage at center field, and also the only outfielder in the National League to accomplish the feat. Don finished 21st in the MVP balloting, getting just 3 vote points. Demeter tallied 63 runs scored, 20 doubles, and a .258 batting average.
In the offseason, Pittsburgh expressed interest in acquiring Demeter. Gene Mauch said he'd only consider the offer if Bill Mazeroski
Bill Mazeroski
William Stanley Mazeroski , nicknamed "Maz", is a former Major League Baseball player who spent his entire career with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
or Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente Walker was a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball right fielder. He was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the youngest of seven children. Clemente played his entire 18-year baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates . He was awarded the National League's Most Valuable Player Award in...
were involved in the deal.
In a 1965 interview, Demeter alleged that when the Phillies put him at third base, they would sometimes alter the dynamics of the infield. He said, "They used to let the grass grow for me whenever I played third base over in Philly. And whenever Cal McLish
Cal McLish
Calvin Coolidge Julius Caesar Tuskahoma McLish was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers , Pittsburgh Pirates , Chicago Cubs , Cleveland Indians , Cincinnati Reds , Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies...
pitched, they'd be out there in the afternoon wetting down the grass in front of the plate." This was designed to make ground balls to Demeter roll slower.
1964 season
On December 5, 1963, the Phillies traded Don Demeter and reliever Jack Hamilton to the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for catcher Gus Triandos
Gus Triandos
Gus Triandos is a Greek-American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball mostly as a catcher but also played as a first baseman for the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles and the Detroit Tigers of the American League and the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros...
and eventual hall-of-famer Jim Bunning
Jim Bunning
James Paul David "Jim" Bunning is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher and politician.During a 17-year baseball career, he pitched from 1955 to 1971, most notably with the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Phillies. When he retired, he had the second-highest total of career...
. Manager Charlie Dressen assigned Demeter to center field, moving previous starter Bill Bruton
Bill Bruton
William Havon Bruton was a Major League Baseball center fielder who played for the Milwaukee Braves in 1953 through 1960, and for the Detroit Tigers in 1961 through 64. Bruton batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
to left. Commenting on the trade, Dressen remarked, "Demeter is a better all-around player than Rocky Colavito
Rocky Colavito
Rocco Domenico "Rocky" Colavito, Jr. is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball best known for his years with the Cleveland Indians. He wore a #6, #7 or #21 jersey during his MLB career...
." Dressen's plan early on was to have Demeter bat 3rd in the lineup against right-handed pitchers, and 5th against lefties. Demeter was excited to play alongside right fielder Al Kaline
Al Kaline
Albert William "Al" Kaline is a former Major League Baseball right fielder. He is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Kaline played his entire 22-year baseball career with the Detroit Tigers. Kaline still works for the Tigers as a front office official. Because of his lengthy career and...
, saying, "I've always thought he was the greatest thing to put on a uniform." In spring training, Demeter hit .364 in his first eight games as a Tiger, including a bases-loaded 3 RBI triple against the Cardinals on March 18. He finished the 27-game exhibition circuit with 12 RBI, second only to Norm Cash
Norm Cash
Norman Dalton Cash was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who spent almost his entire career with the Detroit Tigers...
.
Demeter injured his ankle in the first game of a doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins on April 19, hitting two foul balls off it. After the X-ray
X-ray
X-radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation. X-rays have a wavelength in the range of 0.01 to 10 nanometers, corresponding to frequencies in the range 30 petahertz to 30 exahertz and energies in the range 120 eV to 120 keV. They are shorter in wavelength than UV rays and longer than gamma...
s came back negative, he rejoined the team on April 22 against the Los Angeles 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...
with a special guard for the ankle. The setback resulted in a .138 batting average in his first seven games in the American League. However, he started to turn it around on April 26, hitting his first home run as a Tiger off Jim Kaat
Jim Kaat
James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St...
. On April 29, he hit a decisive home run in the top of the 10th inning against the Kansas City 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....
off reliever John Wyatt, leading the Tigers to a 5-4 win.
On May 23 at the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, Demeter went back to catch a long fly ball from Leon Wagner
Leon Wagner
Leon Lamar Wagner was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball who played with the San Francisco Giants , St. Louis Cardinals , Los Angeles Angels , Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
, but as he tried to catch the ball, he hit his head on a padded metal bar on top of the outfield fence. The ball bounced off his glove and over the fence, resulting in a three-run home run for the Indians. Dressen remarked that he had seen the same incident occur with Billy Bruton on a three-run home run by Tommie Reynolds
Tommie Reynolds
Tommie D. Reynolds is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He was signed by the Kansas City Athletics as an amateur free agent in 1963, and played for them from 1963 to 1965...
at Kansas City on April 30.
Demeter was slumping for the first two months of the season, accruing a statline of just 2 home runs and 14 RBI in 37 games to go with a batting average of .238. On June 8 and 9, he turned it around by slugging for a combined 2 home runs and 9 RBI against the Twins. On June 13 he homered again against the Angels, and he followed it up by delivering a game-winning double on June 14 to complete a sweep of the three-game series. On July 14, Demeter hit a home run and drove in two runs, and also made what was described as a "spectacular" diving catch that denied the Angels an opportunity to score the tying run in the 9th inning. He commented that the day was his best game since joining the Tigers.
On July 31, Demeter set a Major League record with 206 consecutive errorless games in the outfield, passing former Phillies teammate Tony González's mark of 205. The streak began two seasons ago on September 3, 1962. Demeter downplayed the record, citing it as "deceptive." He remarked, "With the Phillies, I started quite a few games at third base and went to the outfield in the late innings." He claimed that he thought he made two errors throughout the 1964 season. "I lost one ball in the sun. Another one I didn't play very well in the wind. They were scored as hits. In my mind, they are errors." At season's end, he had extended his streak to 228 games.
From August 25 to 27 at the Boston Red Sox, Demeter had game winning hits in all three, leading to a Tigers sweep. In the September 7, 1964 issue of Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
, Demeter was awarded with player of the week honors for his clutch play.
Demeter finished the 1964 season with similar numbers to the prior season with the Phillies. He had 22 home runs and 80 runs batted in to complement a .256 batting average. He finished first in the Major Leagues in fielding percentage in the outfield with a perfect 1.000, the only qualifying player to accomplish the feat. Demeter finished 2nd on the team in RBI to Cash's 83, but he tied 8 games with RBIs and gave the Tigers the go ahead run in 28 more, posting a team-best 36 games overall.
1965–1966 season
In January 1965, Demeter signed a new contract with the Tigers for the amount of $30,000. In late January, he joined manager Dressen on an annual press-radio-television tour that went to Toledo and outstate Michigan. Demeter was cited as the Tigers most clutch hitter, but Demeter still wasn't satisfied with his power output. He trained in Oklahoma during the winter, chopping wood and gaining 12 pounds to 202. On February 5 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Demeter was given the Art Griggs Award given to Oklahomans with the most outstanding performance at the major league level. He remarked, "I would have to thank Mickey MantleMickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
for moving out of the state, Allie Reynolds
Allie Reynolds
Allie Pierce Reynolds was a pitcher in Major League Baseball.-Biography:...
for retiring and Warren Spahn
Warren Spahn
Warren Edward Spahn was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in the National League. He won 20 games each in 13 seasons, including a 23-7 record when he was age 42...
for just getting old."
In spring training, Demeter had a two homer outing against the Washington Senators
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
on April 2, followed by another solo home run against the Cincinnati Reds on April 4. He later admitted after his two-homer outing, one over the right field wall and another over the right, that he wanted to try for a third home run over the wall in center field. However, he didn't get the chance as he was walked and subsequently pulled for a pinch runner. "It tears me up to walk when I'm swinging that good," Demeter said.
Demeter was the opening day starter in center field on April 12, 1965 at the Kansas City Athletics. Demeter was hit by a pitch from Athletics pitcher Moe Drabowsky
Moe Drabowsky
Myron Walter Drabowsky was a Polish-American right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago Cubs , Milwaukee Braves , Cincinnati Reds , Kansas City Athletics , Baltimore Orioles , Kansas City Royals , St...
in the first inning, but he finished the game on 3-for-3 with a triple and two runs scored. Although it was intended for Demeter to remain in the outfield, Demeter was asked to again take his duties to the infield at first base. In May, he sat out several games after suffering a minor case of whiplash in the neck and shoulder after he slid head-first into third base.
Demeter played at first for almost every game for two months before returning to the outfield full-time in July to resume his record errorless streak, only for it to abruptly come to an end at 266 games on July 15 in an incredibly bizarre fashion. A dog ran onto the field as Demeter fielded a ball hit to him. Demeter looked at the dog, then promptly made a wild throw, ending his record-setting error-less game streak. The record would stand for almost 28 years to the day. On July 16, 1993, Darren Lewis played in his 267th consecutive error-less game.
On August 12 against the Athletics, Demeter hit a grand slam and had 7 RBI, tying a career high. However, the great moment couldn't be celebrated long as the next night against the Angels ended with Demeter being carried off the field in a stretcher and hospitalized overnight after a pitch in the fifth inning from California pitcher Dean Chance
Dean Chance
Wilmer Dean Chance is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. Over the right hander's 11-year major league career, he would play for the Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, and Detroit Tigers...
struck him in the head, resulting in two missed games. Demeter suffered another injury on August 27 at Los Angeles, damaging his left wrist while trying to make a diving catch on a line drive hit by Jimmy Piersall
Jimmy Piersall
James Anthony Piersall is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball. Between 1950 and 1967, he played for the Boston Red Sox , Cleveland Indians , Washington Senators , New York Mets , and Los Angeles/California Angels .While he had a fairly good professional career as a center...
. After 12 X-rays, it was finally determined to be a sprain and not a broken wrist as originally diagnosed. It was the same wrist he broke in 1961 during his tenure with the Dodgers. Several key players were injured at the time, leading Demeter to remark, "I really feel sick for Charlie (Dressen). The poor guy gets his team where it can make a move and then injuries hit him."
Due to the injury-laden season, Demeter had his lowest output since 1961. In 122 games, Demeter had 16 home runs and 58 RBI. His batting average improved over last season, jumping from .256 to .278, second highest on the team to Kaline's .281. He was hit by 6 pitches on the year, 6th highest in the American League. He had a .400 batting average as a pinch hitter, furthering his reputation as the most clutch hitter for the Phillies.
Seven outfielders, including Demeter, were brought to the Tigers spring training facility in Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406...
. Demeter was one of the last players to sign his contract for the 1966 season, receiving a raise to $33,000. Unlike years past, Demeter's spot as everyday starter in center field was not guaranteed. By March, it was already being predicted that Demeter was going to lose his position to a young Mickey Stanley
Mickey Stanley
Mitchell Jack "Mickey" Stanley was a baseball player for the Detroit Tigers from 1964-1978. Stanley was known as a superb defensive outfielder over his 15-year career, though he is best remembered for the last few weeks of the 1968 season.-Early life:Stanley prepped at Ottawa Hills High School in...
, who was described by Baseball Digest
Baseball Digest
Baseball Digest is a baseball magazine resource, published in Evanston, Illinois by Lakeside Publishing Company. It is the oldest and longest-running baseball magazine in the United States....
magazine as a defensive ace. Demeter had trouble with a sore right shoulder during spring training, requiring a cortisone shot. Eventually, it was officially announced that he had lost his slot in center field to Stanley.
In the early days of the season, Demeter had an 0-for-23 slump, the worst of his career. It got to the point where manager Dressen told him to, "not pick up a bat," benching him for several games. Demeter had few offensive highlights in the opening months. On May 17 against the Yankees he broke a 2-2 tie with a two-run homer off New York pitcher Fritz Peterson
Fritz Peterson
Fritz Fred Peterson is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, and Texas Rangers from 1966 to 1976...
. Demeter remarked that the day was his wedding anniversary. "I've hit home runs six of the last seven years for her." Later, on May 21 at the Orioles, Demeter started a six-run rally in the 4th inning with a three-run home run off pitcher John Miller to tie the game 4-4.
Boston Red Sox
On June 4, 1966, Don Demeter and Julio NavarroJulio Navarro
Julio Navarro Ventura is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He played for the Los Angeles Angels , Detroit Tigers , and Atlanta Braves ....
were traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Joe Christopher
Joe Christopher
Joseph O'Neal Christopher is a former outfielder who played in Major League Baseball from through . Listed at 5' 10", 175 lbs., he batted and threw right-handed....
and pitcher Earl Wilson. The Red Sox had been attempting anywhere from several weeks to several months to obtain Demeter, offering a combination of catcher Bob Tillman
Bob Tillman
John Robert Tillman was an American professional baseball player. A catcher, he threw and batted right-handed, stood tall and weighed ....
and an infielder, but the Tigers continually rejected the offers. General manager Billy Herman
Billy Herman
William Jennings Bryan "Billy" Herman was an American second baseman in Major League Baseball during the 1930s and 1940s. He was known for his stellar defense and consistent batting...
had known Demeter ever since he was a coach for the Dodgers several years prior. Demeter was a player Herman wanted to acquire ever since he took the manager post in September 1964. "He (Demeter) is a good hitter with power. I know he will take good advantage of our left field wall." He went on to say, "One of the things I like best about Demeter is that I can use him at five positions. He can play anywhere in the outfield, and he can play both first and third base. Don will shake up a few people on this club." Herman cited that his then current plan was to put Demeter in center field, but was also considering playing him at third base, where Joe Foy
Joe Foy
Joseph Anthony "Joe" Foy was a Major League Baseball third baseman.-Boston Red Sox:Born in New York City, Foy was signed as an amateur free agent by the Minnesota Twins in 1962, but was selected in that year's minor league draft by the Boston Red Sox...
had been struggling offensively. Herman also said he would start Demeter at first base for a few days should rookie first baseman George Scott need any sort of rest.
Demeter went from a benchwarmer in Detroit to being an everyday starter once again in Boston. In his first game for the Sox on June 17, Demeter hit a home run off Orioles pitcher Steve Barber
Steve Barber
Stephen David Barber was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1960-1974 for seven different teams, but is noted primarily for his time with the Baltimore Orioles...
to tie the game 2-2, but Boston would go on to lose the game 5-3. From his opening performance through the end of the month, he raised his batting average over 40 points by batting .348 with 3 home runs and 8 runs batted in. Even with the hot start in his new home, Demeter still sat out several games due to various ailments. A foul tip hit Demeter on the knee cost a few games. Later in July he had back problems that forced him to sit out intermittently.
On August 3 at Minnesota, the Twins scoreboard flashed a message to the crowd as Demeter walked to the plate saying, "Demeter a Dad." His first daughter had been born that night in Newton-Wellesley Hospital just outside of Boston earlier in the day. After the message flashed, Demeter launched the first pitch from Twins pitcher Dave Boswell
Dave Boswell
David Wilson Boswell was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played in the American League for the Minnesota Twins from 1964-1971....
into the left field bleachers. While Demeter ran around the bases, the organist played the theme, "Rock-a-bye Baby
Rock-a-bye Baby
Rock-a-bye Baby is a nursery rhyme and lullaby. The melody is a variant of the English satirical ballad Lilliburlero. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 2768.-Lyrics:...
."
Demeter returned to Detroit for a four game series in early August. On August 6, he hit a home run off former teammate Denny McLain. In 7 games against his old team, Demeter ripped the team for 2 home runs, 7 runs batted in, a .381 batting average and a .762 slugging percentage.
Although Demeter had low offensive marks all around in his last days with the Detroit Tigers with a triple crown line of .212-5-12 in 32 games, he hit much better in his last 73 games with the Red Sox. He hit for a batting average of .292, the highest batting average for regular starters on the team. His .478 slugging percentage was second best to Tony Conigliaro
Tony Conigliaro
Anthony Richard Conigliaro , nicknamed "Tony C" and "Conig", was a Major League Baseball outfielder and right-handed batter who played for the Boston Red Sox and California Angels . He was born in Revere, Massachusetts, and was a 1962 graduate of St. Mary's High School...
, and his .783 OPS ranked just behind Conigliaro (.817) and Carl Yastrzemski
Carl Yastrzemski
Carl Michael Yastrzemski is a former American Major League Baseball left fielder and first baseman. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. Yastrzemski played his entire 23-year baseball career with the Boston Red Sox . He was primarily a left fielder, with part of his later career...
(.799). Demeter thrived in his 37 games batting from the 5-hole. In 23 games, he posted a .372 batting average with 4 home runs, 14 runs batted in, and a .991 OPS. For the overall season, Demeter hit .268 with 14 home runs and 41 runs batted in, playing in 105 games.
After the season's end, Demeter's starting role in center field once again lost its guarantee despite the near .300 batting average. Rookie Reggie Smith
Reggie Smith
Carl Reginald Smith is a former Major League Baseball outfielder, coach and front office executive. During a 17-year big league career , Smith appeared in 1,987 games, hit 314 home runs and batted .287. He was a switch-hitter who threw right-handed. In his prime, he had one of the strongest...
looked to be the new starting center fielder, with Jose Tartabull
José Tartabull
José Milages Tartabull Guzmán is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder; his Major League career lasted nine years, from 1962 to 1970...
to be his backup, leaving Demeter as the odd man out. Talks of trading Demeter surfaced in December, with some even suggesting that they try and trade him back to Detroit to retrieve pitcher Earl Wilson. Near the end of spring training, George Thomas
George Thomas (baseball)
George Edward Thomas, Jr. was a Major League Baseball outfielder. His Major League career lasted from to ; he compiled a career batting average of .255. After playing for the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox for Bill Monbouquette in 1965...
had also passed him by on the depth chart. In the regular season, Demeter rode the bench, not getting a start until May 7, Boston's 20th game of the season. He went 2-for-5 in the game with a double and a run scored, as well as two notedly hard line drive outs. After his successful first start, manager Dick Williams
Dick Williams
Richard Hirschfeld "Dick" Williams was an American left fielder, third baseman, manager, coach and front office consultant in Major League Baseball. Known especially as a hard-driving, sharp-tongued manager from 1967–69 and 1971–88, he led teams to three American League pennants, one National...
told the Boston press that Demeter would likely start in right field for Conigliaro, but come the night of May 8, Conigliaro was starting in right and Demeter was once again riding the bench, much to his chagrin.
Cleveland Indians
The Boston Red Sox traded Don Demeter and Tony Horton to the Cleveland Indians for pitcher Gary BellGary Bell
Wilbur Gary Bell , nicknamed "Ding Dong", is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1958-1969 for four different teams in his career, but is noted primarily for his time with the Cleveland Indians...
on June 4, 1967.
On June 19, with two men out in the bottom of the 9th and one man on base, Demeter pinch-hit for Indians pitcher Sonny Siebert
Sonny Siebert
Wilfred Charles Siebert is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1964 to 1975. He finished with a record of 140-114 and a 3.21 ERA. He threw a no-hitter on June 10, 1966 against the Washington Senators. He was originally drafted simultaneously by the Cleveland Indians and the St...
, hitting a game-tying home run, which later led to a 2-1 victory for Cleveland. Demeter missed several games towards the end of the month with a pulled leg muscle.
On August 31, 1967, the Detroit Tigers announced that they had bought Demeter from Cleveland. Demeter was going to be their first baseman, but the deal was called off as it was found out that Demeter had circulatory problems around the heart area and he never reported to the team. Demeter complained about chest pains and had several doctor examinations. It was originally diagnosed as a minor muscle strain, but an EKG on September 5 showed "changes which indicate a disturbance in his coronary artery circulation."
Demeter played in 51 games for Cleveland, batting .207 with 5 home runs and 12 runs batted in. For the 1967 season overall, he appeared in 71 games, hitting 6 home runs, driving in 16 runners, and batting .226. His best month was his final month, hitting .313 with 6 RBI and 2 home runs over 19 games in August before playing the final game of his major league career on August 28.
In early January 1968, Demeter was still listed on the Indians roster, but he was heavily considering retirement.
On February 29, 1968, Don Demeter officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball. He reported for spring training in Tucson, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
and successfully passed a complete physical examination, but still decided to end his career due to potential health concerns about his heart from September. The doctor said Demeter didn't have a heart attack or suffer damages to his heart, but Demeter ended by saying, "However, the doctor added that there was the possibility that I'd be running down the line some day and have an attack."
Demeter participated in the first ever old-timer's game hosted by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He started in center field for the 1960s Dodgers. The 1950s Dodgers won the game 1-0 in front of a crowd of 48,227.
Career statistics
In an eleven-season career, Demeter posted a .265 batting averageBatting 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 :...
with 163 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 and 563 RBI
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 1109 games played
Games 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,...
. He had a career average of 21.1 at bats per home run, which stands as one of the top 150 rates of all-time as of 2010.
| G Games 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,... |
AB At bat In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance... |
R Run (baseball) In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured... |
H 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.... |
2B 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.... |
3B Triple (baseball) In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice.... |
HR 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... |
RBI 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... |
SB Stolen base In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate... |
CS Caught stealing In baseball, a runner is charged, and the fielders involved are credited, with a time caught stealing when the runner attempts to advance or lead off from one base to another without the ball being batted and then is tagged out by a fielder while making the attempt... |
BB Base on balls A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08... |
SO 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.... |
BA 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 :... |
OBP 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... |
SLG | TB Total bases In baseball statistics, total bases refers to the number of bases a player has gained with hits, i.e., the sum of his hits weighted by 1 for a single, 2 for a double, 3 for a triple and 4 for a home run.Only bases attained from hits count toward this total.... |
SH Sacrifice hit In baseball, a sacrifice bunt is a batter's act of deliberately bunting the ball in a manner that allows a runner on base to advance to another base. The batter is almost always sacrificed but sometimes reaches base due to an error or fielder's choice... |
SF Sacrifice fly In baseball, a sacrifice fly is a batted ball that satisfies four criteria:* There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit.* The ball is hit to the outfield.... |
HBP Hit by pitch In baseball, hit by pitch , or hit batsman , is a batter or his equipment being hit in some part of his body by a pitch from the pitcher.-Official rule:... |
| 1,109 | 3,443 | 467 | 912 | 147 | 17 | 163 | 563 | 22 | 25 | 180 | 658 | .265 | .307 | .459 | 1,582 | 33 | 32 | 42 |
Personal
Don is the son of Lewis and Aileen Demeter, the third of four children. His foster father, George Stevens, was a Superintendent for Sunday School in Oklahoma City at the Exchange Avenue Baptist Church. As a junior in high school in 1950, he met his future wife Betty Jo Madole at the Exchange Avenue Baptist Church during a social event. They married on May 17, 1957 and had a son, Russell Don Demeter, on January 26, 1959. Todd Demeter, Don's son, was a second round draft pick of the New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in 1979. Todd played four seasons in the Yankees farm system and two with the St. Louis Cardinals, but never advanced past Class AA. Two of his grandchildren, Cole and Caden Cleveland, were stars at Christian Heritage Academy with All-State honors, and are currently set to play Division 1 college baseball at Morehead State in Kentucky.
After winning the World Series with the Dodgers in 1959, Demeter returned home to Oklahoma City to spend the winter as a youth director at a Baptist church. In Oklahoma City, he lived near neighbor Washington Senators
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
catcher Mike Brumley
Mike Brumley (catcher)
Tony Mike Brumley is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Washington Senators . Brumley batted left handed and threw right handed. He is father of infielder Mike Brumley....
, who often accompanied Demeter to church appearances several nights a week throughout Oklahoma and Texas throughout the years, as well as a special series of church meetings in Alaska in 1966. In the aftermath of his career-best 1962 season, Don toured on a team put together by Willie Mays
Willie Mays
Willie Howard Mays, Jr. is a retired American professional baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the New York and San Francisco Giants before finishing with the New York Mets. Nicknamed The Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his...
, was a speaker at church functions across five states, and finally in February 1963 went on a church-sponsored tour of Japan along with Yankees second baseman Bobby Richardson
Bobby Richardson
Robert Clinton "Bobby" Richardson is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees from through . Batting and throwing right-handed, he was a superb defensive infielder, as well as something of a clutch hitter, who played no small role in the Yankee baseball...
. The tour was sponsored by the Texas Baptist Convention
Baptist General Convention of Texas
The Baptist General Convention of Texas is the oldest surviving Baptist convention in the state of Texas. The churches cooperating with the Baptist General Convention of Texas partner nationally and internationally with both the Southern Baptist Convention and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship,...
in order to participate in what was referred to as the "New Life Campaign". They gave Christian testimonies to locals and spoke to Japanese professional baseball players. Before leaving, they held a news conferenece, emphasizing their goals in their trip to Japan. They said, "We are two Christians from the United States. We are here to present our witness for Christ."
Demeter did not drink, smoke, or curse during his baseball career. He also rejected endorsement deals for advertising alcohol and tobacco products.
Once his baseball career was over, Don returned home to Oklahoma to start a pool-building business and later became a preacher. In 1973, Don became president of the minor league Oklahoma City 89ers.
Demeter entered a political race in 1976 as a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, losing a bid for a seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives
Oklahoma House of Representatives
The Oklahoma House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oklahoma Legislature, the legislative body of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Its members are responsible for introducing and voting on bills and resolutions, providing legislative oversight for state agencies, and helping to craft the...
.