Don Ferrarese
Encyclopedia
Donald Hugh "Midget" Ferrarese (Born: June 19, 1929 in Oakland, California
) is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher who played from 1955 to 1962 with the Baltimore Orioles
, Cleveland Indians
, Chicago White Sox
, Philadelphia Phillies
and St. Louis Cardinals
. A left-handed thrower, he threw right-handed. An attendant of St. Mary's College of California, he was fairly small at 5'9", 170 pounds. He apparently got his nickname from his small size.
He was used both as a starter and reliever in his career. He started his career as a reliever on April 11, 1955 at the age of 26-in the first big league year of his career, he showed some promise, posting a 3.00 ERA in 6 games (9 innings of work). He never quite lived up to that promise, though. Perhaps his best year when he was mostly a starter was 1959. He went 5 and 3 with a 3.20 ERA in 76 innings of work. Although he walked 51 and struck out only 45, he still gave up only 58 hits that season.
His finest season as a reliever was his last season. Spending time with the Phillies and Cardinals, Ferrarese posted a 3.27 ERA (it was only 2.70 with the Cardinals) in 63+ innings of work. Although he went only 1 and 5, his ERA was considerable lower than the league average of 4.21.
He played his final big-league game on September 22, 1962. Overall, he was 19 and 36 with a 4.00 ERA in just over 506 innings of work. He struck out 350 and walked 295 batters.
His career batting average was .156 (20 for 128). The highlights of his hitting career came on May 26, 1959 and June 22, 1962. On May 26, 1959, he collected three hits in three at-bats, all of them being doubles. He drove in two of the three runs the Indians scored, to help beat the Chicago White Sox
3 to 0. The pitchers he victimized in that game were Dick Donovan
and Gerry Staley
. On June 22, 1962, he made the final hit of his career a good one. Facing pitcher Jim Owens
, Ferrarese hit a two run home run in the third inning. That wasn't enough though, as the Phillies-his former team-beat the Cardinals 11 to 3. But, for every success there seems to be a failure—like his entire 1956 season. He collected one hit in 28 at-bats that year, for a .036 average. Although he was not a good hitter, he did not strikeout
too much. Adam Dunn
, for example, has struck out in 32.7% of all his at-bats. Ferrarese, for example, struck out in only 20.3% of his at-bats.
As a fielder, he posted a .952 fielding percentage
. Overall, his career statistics are most similar to those of Bryan Clark
. He spent four seasons with Ray Moore
and Minnie Miñoso--longer than any other teammates.
After his career ended, he moved to Apple Valley, California
to work for his parents deli, Hugo’s. After inheriting the business and moving it to Victorville, he grew tired of the industry and got into real estate. Ferrarese now owns Apple Valley Land Company, which deals in commercial real estate. One of his greatest achievements to date and a culmination of his charitable efforts is the Don Ferrarese Charitable Foundation.
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
) is a former 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...
pitcher who played from 1955 to 1962 with the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, 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...
, Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, 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...
and 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...
. A left-handed thrower, he threw right-handed. An attendant of St. Mary's College of California, he was fairly small at 5'9", 170 pounds. He apparently got his nickname from his small size.
He was used both as a starter and reliever in his career. He started his career as a reliever on April 11, 1955 at the age of 26-in the first big league year of his career, he showed some promise, posting a 3.00 ERA in 6 games (9 innings of work). He never quite lived up to that promise, though. Perhaps his best year when he was mostly a starter was 1959. He went 5 and 3 with a 3.20 ERA in 76 innings of work. Although he walked 51 and struck out only 45, he still gave up only 58 hits that season.
His finest season as a reliever was his last season. Spending time with the Phillies and Cardinals, Ferrarese posted a 3.27 ERA (it was only 2.70 with the Cardinals) in 63+ innings of work. Although he went only 1 and 5, his ERA was considerable lower than the league average of 4.21.
He played his final big-league game on September 22, 1962. Overall, he was 19 and 36 with a 4.00 ERA in just over 506 innings of work. He struck out 350 and walked 295 batters.
His career batting average was .156 (20 for 128). The highlights of his hitting career came on May 26, 1959 and June 22, 1962. On May 26, 1959, he collected three hits in three at-bats, all of them being doubles. He drove in two of the three runs the Indians scored, to help beat the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
3 to 0. The pitchers he victimized in that game were Dick Donovan
Dick Donovan (baseball player)
Richard Edward "Dick" Donovan was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched for the Boston Braves , Detroit Tigers , Chicago White Sox , Washington Senators , and the Cleveland Indians .Donovan batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
and Gerry Staley
Gerry Staley
Gerald Lee Staley was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who excelled both as a starter and reliever. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the Minor League draft. He pitched regularly from 1947 on, then was traded to Cincinnati for the 1955 season...
. On June 22, 1962, he made the final hit of his career a good one. Facing pitcher Jim Owens
Jim Owens (baseball)
James Philip Owens , nicknamed "Bear," is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from to with the Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds and Houston Astros. He was 5'11" tall and he weighed 190 pounds.Originally signed by the Phillies in , he played in the minors until...
, Ferrarese hit a two run home run in the third inning. That wasn't enough though, as the Phillies-his former team-beat the Cardinals 11 to 3. But, for every success there seems to be a failure—like his entire 1956 season. He collected one hit in 28 at-bats that year, for a .036 average. Although he was not a good hitter, he did not strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
too much. Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Adam Troy Dunn , nicknamed "Big Donkey", is an American Major League Baseball first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Chicago White Sox. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed....
, for example, has struck out in 32.7% of all his at-bats. Ferrarese, for example, struck out in only 20.3% of his at-bats.
As a fielder, he posted a .952 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
. Overall, his career statistics are most similar to those of Bryan Clark
Bryan Clark (baseball)
Bryan Donald Clark is a former left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played from to , and again in with the Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. He attended Fresno Community College...
. He spent four seasons with Ray Moore
Ray Moore (baseball)
Raymond Leroy Moore was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators and Minnesota Twins from to ....
and Minnie Miñoso--longer than any other teammates.
After his career ended, he moved to Apple Valley, California
Apple Valley, California
-Climate:*On average, the warmest month is July.*The highest recorded temperature was in 2002.*On average, the coolest month is December.*The lowest recorded temperature was in 1949.*The most precipitation on average occurs in February.-History:...
to work for his parents deli, Hugo’s. After inheriting the business and moving it to Victorville, he grew tired of the industry and got into real estate. Ferrarese now owns Apple Valley Land Company, which deals in commercial real estate. One of his greatest achievements to date and a culmination of his charitable efforts is the Don Ferrarese Charitable Foundation.
Major transactions
Often used as trade bait, Ferrarese was involved in multiple trades in his career, even after his big league career was over http://www.baseball-reference.com/f/ferrado01.shtml:- December 6, 1954: Traded by the Chicago White Sox with Matt BattsMatt BattsMatthew Daniel Batts was a Major League Baseball catcher who played from through for the Boston Red Sox , St. Louis Browns , Detroit Tigers , Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds . Batts batted and threw right-handed...
, Don Johnson, and Fred MarshFred MarshFred Francis Marsh was an American infielder in Major League Baseball who played from to for the Cleveland Indians, St...
to the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
for Jim BrideweserJim BrideweserJames Ehrenfeld Brideweser was an American shortstop in Major League Baseball who played from to for the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers...
, Bob ChakalesBob ChakalesRobert Edwards Chakales [sha-kuh'-les] was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with four different clubs between the 1951 and 1957 seasons. Listed at 6'1", 185 lb., Chakales batted and threw right-handed...
, and Clint CourtneyClint CourtneyClinton Dawdson Courtney was an American catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees , St. Louis Browns , Baltimore Orioles , Chicago White Sox , Washington Senators and Kansas City Athletics . Courtney batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
. - April 1, 1958: Traded by the Baltimore Orioles with Larry DobyLarry DobyLawrence Eugene "Larry" Doby was an American professional baseball player in the Negro leagues and Major League Baseball....
to the Cleveland Indians for Gene WoodlingGene WoodlingEugene Richard Woodling was a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Cleveland Indians , Pittsburgh Pirates , New York Yankees , Baltimore Orioles , Washington Senators , and the New York Mets in their expansion year of 1962...
, Dick WilliamsDick WilliamsRichard 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...
, and Bud DaleyBud DaleyLeavitt Leo "Bud" Daley , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1955-1964....
. - December 6, 1959: Traded by the Cleveland Indians with Dick BrownDick Brown (baseball)Richard Ernest Brown was a catcher in American Major League Baseball during the 1950s and 1960s. The native of Shinnston, West Virginia, attended Florida State University and batted and threw right-handed...
, Minnie Miñoso, and Jake StrikerJake StrikerWilbur Scott "Jake" Striker is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played in and with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox....
to the Chicago White Sox for Johnny RomanoJohnny RomanoJohn Anthony Romano Jr. is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals . He threw and batted right-handed...
, Bubba PhillipsBubba PhillipsJohn Melvin "Bubba" Phillips was an American third baseman in Major League Baseball who attended the University of Southern Mississippi...
, and Norm CashNorm CashNorman Dalton Cash was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who spent almost his entire career with the Detroit Tigers...
. - April 28, 1962: Traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the St. Louis Cardinals for Bobby LockeBobby Locke (baseball)Lawrence Donald "Bobby" Locke is a former right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1959 to 1968 for the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds and California Angels. He stood 5'11" tall and weighed 185 pounds. He was sometimes called Larry,...
and cashCashIn common language cash refers to money in the physical form of currency, such as banknotes and coins.In bookkeeping and finance, cash refers to current assets comprising currency or currency equivalents that can be accessed immediately or near-immediately...
. - February, 1963: Traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Houston Colt .45's for Bobby TiefenauerBobby TiefenauerBobby Gene Tiefenauer was an American professional baseball player. A knuckleball relief pitcher, he pitched for six Major League teams during a ten-year MLB career that stretched between and : the St...
.
Other information
- On May 5, 1956, Ferrarese strikes out 13 batters in his first start in about two years.
- On May 12, 1956, he held a no hitter through eight innings, until Andy CareyAndy CareyAndrew Arthur Carey is a former major league third baseman for the New York Yankees , and three other major league teams from 1960 to 1962...
broke it up with a single. - He never wore the same uniform number for more than two years in a row.