Ed Herrmann
Encyclopedia
Edward Martin Herrmann is a former American
professional
baseball
player. He played in the Major Leagues
as a catcher
for the Chicago White Sox
, the New York Yankees
, the California Angels, the Houston Astros
and the Montreal Expos
from 1967 to 1978. He was a left-handed batter and threw with his right hand.
by the Milwaukee Braves in 1964
, and was then drafted from the Braves by the Chicago White Sox later that year. While playing for the Evansville White Sox
in , he led the Southern League
in putouts, assists
and in fielding percentage
. Herrmann made his major league debut for the White Sox at the age of 20 on September 1, 1967
. He returned to the minor leagues in , before rejoining the White Sox in 1969
, replacing Duane Josephson
as their starting catcher. Herrmann had his best season offensively in 1970
when he posted a .283 batting average
with 19 home run
s and 52 runs batted in.
In 1972
, Herrmann led the American League in intentional walks with 19, and led all American League catchers in baserunners caught stealing
and in caught stealing percentage as, the White Sox battled the Oakland Athletics
for the American League West
Division championship, coming from 8 and a half games behind on July 17th to take first place on August 20th before, finishing the season five and a half games behind the eventual world champion Athletics.
In a game against the Oakland Athletics
on June 24, 1973
, Herrmann hit a three-run home run, a two-run double and a two-run single, for a total of seven runs batted in, one short of the White Sox team record of eight.
Herrmann developed a reputation as one of the best knuckleball
catchers in the American League
from his work with knuckleball pitcher
s such as Hoyt Wilhelm
, Wilbur Wood
and Eddie Fisher
. Wood won twenty or more games for four consecutive years between 1971
and 1974
with Herrmann as his catcher. Unfortunately for Herrmann, trying to catch the unpredictable knuckleball pitch
also contributed to his leading American League catchers four times in passed ball
s allowed. In , Herrmann was selected to be a member of the American League All-Star
team.
Herrmann had a contract dispute with the White Sox during spring training
in , and after ten years with the White Sox organisation, he was traded to the New York Yankees on April 1st of that year. He served as a third-string catcher for the Yankees during the 1975
season, working behind Thurmon Munson and Rick Dempsey
, before he was purchased in February 1976
by the California Angels. Herrmann played only a half season with the Angels during which he platooned
alongside right hand hitting
catcher Andy Etchebarren
. In June 1976
, Herrmann was traded to the Houston Astros where, he replaced Milt May
as the Astros' starting catcher. Herrmann was the Astros catcher on July 9, when pitcher
Larry Dierker
threw a no-hitter
against the Montreal Expos
. He worked as back up catcher to Joe Ferguson
in 1977
, posting a .291 batting average in 56 games. Herrmann was purchased by the Montreal Expos in 1978
where he was a reserve catcher, working behind Gary Carter
. He retired at the end of the season.
, accumulating 654 hits
in 2729 at bats for a .240 career batting average along with 80 home runs and 320 runs batted in. He posted a .987 career fielding percentage
. Herrmann is the grandson of former major league player Marty Herrmann
.
for the Kansas City Royals
, a tutor, a coach
, and a manager
of youth teams ranging in age from 13 thru college. He has coached four travel teams to national championships. He participates in charity golf tournament and other charity events year-round for the Anaheim Angels, the Chicago White Sox and other major charities.
Herrmann resides in San Diego, California and is currently a year-round coach for Del Mar Powerhouse and the North County Cobras and volunteers with The Rock Academy Warriors baseball team.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player. He played in the Major Leagues
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...
as a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
for the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, 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...
, the California Angels, the Houston Astros
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...
and the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
from 1967 to 1978. He was a left-handed batter and threw with his right hand.
Major league career
Herrmann was contracted as an amateur free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
by the Milwaukee Braves in 1964
1964 Milwaukee Braves season
The Milwaukee Braves season was the team's 12th and penultimate season for the franchise in Milwaukee. The fifth-place Braves finished with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses, five games behind the National League and World Series Champion St...
, and was then drafted from the Braves by the Chicago White Sox later that year. While playing for the Evansville White Sox
Evansville White Sox
The Evansville White Sox were a minor league baseball team based in Evansville, Indiana that played in the Southern League from 1966 to 1968. They were affiliated with the Chicago White Sox and played their home games at Bosse Field.-Year-by-year record:...
in , he led the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
in putouts, assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
and in 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...
. Herrmann made his major league debut for the White Sox at the age of 20 on September 1, 1967
1967 Chicago White Sox season
The 1967 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 67th season in the major leagues, and its 68th season overall. They finished with a record 89-73, good enough for fourth place in the American League, 3 games behind the first-place Boston Red Sox.- Offseason :...
. He returned to the minor leagues in , before rejoining the White Sox in 1969
1969 Chicago White Sox season
The 1969 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 69th season in the major leagues, and its 70th season overall. They finished with a record 68-94, good enough for fifth place in the newly-established American League West, 29 games behind the first-place Minnesota Twins.The White Sox nearly left...
, replacing Duane Josephson
Duane Josephson
Duane Charles Josephson was an American professional baseball player, a catcher who played for the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball....
as their starting catcher. Herrmann had his best season offensively in 1970
1970 Chicago White Sox season
The 1970 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 70th season in the American League, and its 71st overall. They finished with a record 56-106, good enough for sixth place in the American League West, 42 games behind the first-place Minnesota Twins....
when he posted a .283 batting average
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 :...
with 19 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 52 runs batted in.
In 1972
1972 Chicago White Sox season
The 1972 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 73rd season overall, and 72nd in the American League. They finished with a record 87-67, good enough for second place in the American League West, 5½ games behind the first-place Oakland Athletics....
, Herrmann led the American League in intentional walks with 19, and led all American League catchers in baserunners caught stealing
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...
and in caught stealing percentage as, the White Sox battled the Oakland Athletics
1972 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics season involved the A's winning the American League West with a record of 93 wins and 62 losses. In the playoffs, they defeated the Detroit Tigers in a five-game ALCS, followed by a seven-game World Series, in which they defeated the Cincinnati Reds for their first World...
for the American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
Division championship, coming from 8 and a half games behind on July 17th to take first place on August 20th before, finishing the season five and a half games behind the eventual world champion Athletics.
In a game against the Oakland Athletics
1973 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics season involved the A's winning their third consecutive American League West title with a record of 94 wins and 68 losses...
on June 24, 1973
1973 Chicago White Sox season
The 1973 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 73rd season in the major leagues, and its 74th season overall. They finished with a record 77-85, good enough for fifth place in the American League West, 17 games behind the first-place Oakland Athletics....
, Herrmann hit a three-run home run, a two-run double and a two-run single, for a total of seven runs batted in, one short of the White Sox team record of eight.
Herrmann developed a reputation as one of the best knuckleball
Knuckleball
A knuckleball is a baseball pitch with an erratic, unpredictable motion. The pitch is thrown so as to minimize the spin of the ball in flight. This causes vortices over the stitched seams of the baseball during its trajectory, which in turn can cause the pitch to change direction—and even...
catchers in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
from his work with knuckleball pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
s such as Hoyt Wilhelm
Hoyt Wilhelm
James Hoyt Wilhelm was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985....
, Wilbur Wood
Wilbur Wood
Wilbur Forrester Wood, Jr. is a former knuckleball pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, and most notably the Chicago White Sox, where he got 163 of his 164 wins...
and Eddie Fisher
Eddie Fisher (baseball)
Eddie Gene Fisher was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants , Chicago White Sox , Baltimore Orioles , Cleveland Indians , California Angels and St...
. Wood won twenty or more games for four consecutive years between 1971
1971 Chicago White Sox season
The Chicago White Sox season was their 72nd season overall and 71st in the American League. They finished with a record 79-83, good enough for third place in the American League West, 22½ games behind the first-place Oakland Athletics.- Offseason :...
and 1974
1974 Chicago White Sox season
The 1974 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 74th season in the major leagues, and its 75th season overall. They finished with a record 80-80, good enough for fourth place in the American League West, 9 games behind the first-place Oakland Athletics....
with Herrmann as his catcher. Unfortunately for Herrmann, trying to catch the unpredictable knuckleball pitch
Pitch (baseball)
In baseball, a pitch is the act of throwing a baseball toward home plate to start a play. The term comes from the Knickerbocker Rules. Originally, the ball had to be literally "pitched" underhand, as with pitching horseshoes. Overhand throwing was not allowed until 1884.The biomechanics of...
also contributed to his leading American League catchers four times in passed ball
Passed ball
In baseball, a catcher is charged with a passed ball when he fails to hold or control a legally pitched ball that, with ordinary effort, should have been maintained under his control. When, as a result of this loss of control, the batter or a runner on base advances, the catcher is thereby charged...
s allowed. In , Herrmann was selected to be a member of the American League All-Star
1974 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1974 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 45th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 23, 1974, at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
team.
Herrmann had a contract dispute with the White Sox during spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
in , and after ten years with the White Sox organisation, he was traded to the New York Yankees on April 1st of that year. He served as a third-string catcher for the Yankees during the 1975
1975 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 73rd season for the Yankees in New York, and the franchise's 75th season overall. The team finished with a record of 83-77, finishing 12 games behind of the Boston Red Sox...
season, working behind Thurmon Munson and Rick Dempsey
Rick Dempsey
John Rikard Dempsey is an American former professional baseball player. He played for 24 seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball from to , most notably for the Baltimore Orioles...
, before he was purchased in February 1976
1976 California Angels season
The California Angels season involved the Angels finishing fourth in the American League West with a record of 76 wins and 86 losses.- Offseason :...
by the California Angels. Herrmann played only a half season with the Angels during which he platooned
Platoon system
The platoon system in baseball is a method of designating two players to a single defensive position—usually one right-handed and one left-handed. Typically the right-handed half of the platoon is played on days when the opposing pitcher is left-handed and the left-handed player is played otherwise...
alongside right hand hitting
Batting (baseball)
In baseball, batting is the act of facing the opposing pitcher and trying to produce offense for one's team. A batter or hitter is a person whose turn it is to face the pitcher...
catcher Andy Etchebarren
Andy Etchebarren
Andrew Auguste Etchebarren is an American former Major League Baseball catcher who played for a total of 15 seasons. He played for the Baltimore Orioles , California Angels and Milwaukee Brewers ....
. In June 1976
1976 Houston Astros season
The Houston Astros' 1976 season was a season in American baseball. The team finished third in the National League West with a record of 80-82, 22 games behind the first-place Cincinnati Reds.- Offseason :...
, Herrmann was traded to the Houston Astros where, he replaced Milt May
Milt May
Milton Scott May is a former professional baseball player and coach who played in the Major Leagues from to for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, and San Francisco Giants. May was a catcher who hit for a fairly high batting average during the era in which...
as the Astros' starting catcher. Herrmann was the Astros catcher on July 9, when pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Larry Dierker
Larry Dierker
Lawrence Edward Dierker is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and manager. During a 14-year baseball career as a pitcher, he pitched from 1964–1977 for the Houston Colt .45s/Astros and the St. Louis Cardinals...
threw 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"...
against the Montreal Expos
1976 Montreal Expos season
The Montreal Expos season was the eighth season in the history of the franchise. The Expos finished in last place in the National League East with a record of 55-107, 46 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies...
. He worked as back up catcher to Joe Ferguson
Joe Ferguson (baseball)
Joseph Vance Ferguson is a former catcher/right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for four different teams from 1970 through 1983...
in 1977
1977 Houston Astros season
The 1977 Houston Astros season was a season in American baseball. The team finished third in the National League West with a record of 81-81, 17 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.- Offseason :...
, posting a .291 batting average in 56 games. Herrmann was purchased by the Montreal Expos in 1978
1978 Montreal Expos season
The 1978 Montreal Expos season was the 10th in franchise history. The team finished fourth in the National League East with a record of 76-86, 14 games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies.- Offseason :...
where he was a reserve catcher, working behind Gary Carter
Gary Carter
Gary Edmund Carter , nicknamed "Kid" and "Kid Carter", is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 19-year baseball career, mostly with the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets, Carter established himself as one of the premier catchers in the National League, winning three Gold...
. He retired at the end of the season.
Career statistics
In an 11 year career, Herrmann played in 922 gamesGames 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,...
, accumulating 654 hits
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....
in 2729 at bats for a .240 career batting average along with 80 home runs and 320 runs batted in. He posted a .987 career 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...
. Herrmann is the grandson of former major league player Marty Herrmann
Marty Herrmann
Martin John Herrmann was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched in one game for the Brooklyn Robins during the baseball season, working one scoreless inning on July 10....
.
Post-retirement
Since leaving the major leagues, Herrmann has continued to work in baseball as a baseball scoutScout (sport)
In professional sports, scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scout's organization...
for the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, a tutor, a coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
, and a manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
of youth teams ranging in age from 13 thru college. He has coached four travel teams to national championships. He participates in charity golf tournament and other charity events year-round for the Anaheim Angels, the Chicago White Sox and other major charities.
Herrmann resides in San Diego, California and is currently a year-round coach for Del Mar Powerhouse and the North County Cobras and volunteers with The Rock Academy Warriors baseball team.