Les Moss
Encyclopedia
John Lester "Les" Moss is a former American
professional
baseball
player, coach
, scout and manager
. He played in Major League Baseball
as a catcher
for the St. Louis Browns
for the most significant portion of his career, and was a backup catcher almost all his career.
, Moss began his professional baseball career in at the age of 17, playing for the Americus Pioneers of the Georgia-Florida League
. In he moved up to the Class A
Elmira Pioneers
of the Eastern League
where he posted a .308 batting average
in 96 games. He missed the and seasons while serving in the Merchant Marines
. He would play for the Toledo Mud Hens
in , hitting .297 in 121 games before, being called up late in the season to make his major league debut with the St. Louis Browns on September 10.
Moss platooned
alongside left handed hitting catcher Jake Early
, producing a .157 batting average in 96 games during the 1947
season. He caught the majority of the games for the Browns in 1948
while his hitting improved substantially, with a .257 average along with 14 home run
s and 46 runs batted in. In 1949
, the Browns acquired 24-year-old Sherm Lollar
from the New York Yankees and, Moss became the second string catcher. Moss' hitting continued to improve with a .291 average and an impressive .399 on base percentage
.
On May 17, 1951
, Moss was traded to the Boston Red Sox. After producing a .198 batting average in 71 games for the Red Sox, he would be traded back to the Browns on November 28, 1951. He continued as the Browns' second string catcher backing up Clint Courtney
. Moss was the Browns' catcher on May 6, 1953
when Bobo Holloman
pitched a no-hitter
against the Philadelphia Athletics
. In 1954
, the Browns relocated to Baltimore and were renamed the Orioles. Moss played one full season in Baltimore before being traded to the Chicago White Sox on June 6, 1955
, where he once again served as a back up to Sherm Lollar. He played three more seasons with the White Sox before ending his major league career after the 1958
season.
Moss returned to the minor leagues, appearing in two games for the Indianapolis Indians
in and then, appeared in three games for the San Diego Padres
in , before retiring as a player at the age of 35.
, accumulating 552 hits
in 2,234 at bats for a .247 career batting average along with 63 home runs, 276 runs batted in and a .333 on base percentage. He ended his career with a .978 fielding percentage
.
manager of the year. In he returned to Indianapolis and managed the Indians to a second-place finish. He served as a coach
on the White Sox staff from 1967
to 1970
. Moss served as interim manager in 1968
for 36 games when White Sox manager Al Lopez
had to undergo an emergency appendectomy. He was the White Sox pitching coach in 1970.
In , Moss was hired by the Detroit Tigers to manage in their minor league organisation. He managed the Montgomery Rebels
to two Southern League
championships in 1975 and . In and , Moss managed the Evansville Triplets
. While managing the Triplets, he was credited with developing Lance Parrish's
catching skills, after the Tigers converted him from a third baseman to a catcher. After the 1978 season, Moss was voted Manager of the Year in the American Association
, and The Sporting News named him Minor League Manager of the Year.
Moss succeeded Ralph Houk
as manager for the 1979 Detroit Tigers
. In his time with the Tigers he went 27-26. He actually was not fired for cause or because he was ineffective, but rather because Sparky Anderson
had unexpectedly become available. Moss was named manager soon after the 1978 season concluded. However, the Tigers had not counted on Anderson being fired on November 27, 1978 by the Cincinnati Reds
. Moss was a victim of bad timing, as the Tigers came to a deal to bring Anderson to the Tigers after the first third of the 1979 season. Dick Tracewski
coached four games as interim manager until Anderson's arrival.
Moss finished with a managing record of 39-50 (.438) in 89 games. Moss also managed in the farm systems of the California Angels
and Chicago Cubs
. Late in his on-field career, Moss served as pitching coach
of the Cubs in 1981
and, then for the Houston Astros
from 1982
to 1989
. In 1990, he worked as minor-league pitching instructor for the Astros, before working as a pitching coordinator for the San Francisco Giants
starting in . He retired from baseball in .
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, 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...
, scout and 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...
. He played 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...
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 St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
for the most significant portion of his career, and was a backup catcher almost all his career.
Baseball career
Born in Tulsa, OklahomaTulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
, Moss began his professional baseball career in at the age of 17, playing for the Americus Pioneers of the Georgia-Florida League
Georgia-Florida League
The Georgia-Florida League was a minor baseball league that existed from 1935 through 1958 and in 1962–1963...
. In he moved up to the Class A
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...
Elmira Pioneers
Elmira Pioneers
The Elmira Pioneers are an amateur baseball team based in Elmira, New York. They currently compete in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, a wood bat collegiate summer baseball league. Prior to the 2006 baseball season, the team was a professional ballclub with a rich history of league...
of the Eastern League
Eastern League
Eastern League may refer to:*Eastern League , a professional baseball minor league in the United States*International League, a baseball minor league known as the Eastern League from 1884 to 1912...
where he posted a .308 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 :...
in 96 games. He missed the and seasons while serving in the Merchant Marines
United States Merchant Marine
The United States Merchant Marine refers to the fleet of U.S. civilian-owned merchant vessels, operated by either the government or the private sector, that engage in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable waters of the United States. The Merchant Marine is...
. He would play for the Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
in , hitting .297 in 121 games before, being called up late in the season to make his major league debut with the St. Louis Browns on September 10.
Moss 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 left handed hitting catcher Jake Early
Jake Early
Jacob Willard Early , was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Washington Senators and the St. Louis Browns...
, producing a .157 batting average in 96 games during the 1947
1947 St. Louis Browns season
The 1947 St. Louis Browns season involved the Browns finishing 8th in the American League with a record of 59 wins and 95 losses.- Regular season :* July 17: Hank Thompson became the first black player to appear in a game for the Browns....
season. He caught the majority of the games for the Browns in 1948
1948 St. Louis Browns season
The 1948 St. Louis Browns season involved the Browns finishing 6th in the American League with a record of 59 wins and 94 losses.- Offseason :* November 24, 1947: Ed Albrecht was drafted by the Browns from the New York Giants in the 1947 minor league draft....
while his hitting improved substantially, with a .257 average along with 14 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 46 runs batted in. In 1949
1949 St. Louis Browns season
The 1949 St. Louis Browns season involved the Browns finishing 7th in the American League with a record of 53 wins and 101 losses.- Offseason :...
, the Browns acquired 24-year-old Sherm Lollar
Sherm Lollar
John Sherman Lollar was an American professional baseball player and coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians , New York Yankees , St. Louis Browns , and the Chicago White Sox...
from the New York Yankees and, Moss became the second string catcher. Moss' hitting continued to improve with a .291 average and an impressive .399 on base percentage
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...
.
On May 17, 1951
1951 Boston Red Sox season
The 1951 Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing third in the American League with a record of 87 wins and 67 losses.- Offseason :* November 16, 1950: Joe DeMaestri was drafted from the Red Sox by the Chicago White Sox in the 1950 rule 5 draft....
, Moss was traded to the Boston Red Sox. After producing a .198 batting average in 71 games for the Red Sox, he would be traded back to the Browns on November 28, 1951. He continued as the Browns' second string catcher backing up Clint Courtney
Clint Courtney
Clinton 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...
. Moss was the Browns' catcher on May 6, 1953
1953 St. Louis Browns season
The St. Louis Browns season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Browns finishing 8th in the American League with a record of 54 wins and 100 losses, 46½ games behind the AL and World Series champion New York Yankees in their 52nd and final season in the Gateway City...
when Bobo Holloman
Bobo Holloman
Alva Lee "Bobo" Holloman was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Browns in . Holloman pitched in just 22 games in his lone year, with three wins against seven losses. However, he pitched a no-hitter in his first major league start against the Philadelphia...
pitched 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 Philadelphia Athletics
1953 Philadelphia Athletics season
The Philadelphia Athletics season involved the A's finishing 7th in the American League with a record of 59 wins and 95 losses.- Offseason :...
. In 1954
1954 Baltimore Orioles season
The 1954 Baltimore Orioles season was the franchise's 54th season but its first season as the Baltimore Orioles...
, the Browns relocated to Baltimore and were renamed the Orioles. Moss played one full season in Baltimore before being traded to the Chicago White Sox on June 6, 1955
1955 Chicago White Sox season
The 1955 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 55th season in the major leagues, and its 56th season overall. They finished with a record 91-63, good enough for third place in the American League, 5 games behind the first place New York Yankees....
, where he once again served as a back up to Sherm Lollar. He played three more seasons with the White Sox before ending his major league career after the 1958
1958 Chicago White Sox season
The 1958 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 58th season in the major leagues, and its 59th season overall. They finished with a record 82-72, good enough for second place in the American League, 10 games behind the first-place New York Yankees....
season.
Moss returned to the minor leagues, appearing in two games for the Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
in and then, appeared in three games for the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres (PCL)
The San Diego Padres were a minor league baseball team which played in the Pacific Coast League from 1936 through 1968. The team that would eventually become the Padres was well traveled prior to moving to San Diego. It began its existence in 1903 as the Sacramento Solons, a charter member of the PCL...
in , before retiring as a player at the age of 35.
Career statistics
In a 13 year major league career, Moss played in 824 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 552 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 2,234 at bats for a .247 career batting average along with 63 home runs, 276 runs batted in and a .333 on base percentage. He ended his career with a .978 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...
.
Coaching and managing career
After his playing career, Moss served as the White Sox' batting practice catcher, then moved into their player development organization as a manager in their farm system and an occasional scout through 1966. In , he managed the Lynchburg White Sox to a second place finish, and was named the Sally LeagueSouthern 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...
manager of the year. In he returned to Indianapolis and managed the Indians to a second-place finish. He served as 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...
on the White Sox staff from 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 :...
to 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....
. Moss served as interim manager in 1968
1968 Chicago White Sox season
The 1968 Chicago White Sox season was the team's 68th season in the major leagues, and its 69th season overall. They finished with a record 67-95, good enough for eighth place in the American League, 36 games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers....
for 36 games when White Sox manager Al Lopez
Al Lopez
Alfonso Ramon "Al" Lopez was an American catcher and manager in Major League Baseball, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977....
had to undergo an emergency appendectomy. He was the White Sox pitching coach in 1970.
In , Moss was hired by the Detroit Tigers to manage in their minor league organisation. He managed the Montgomery Rebels
Montgomery Rebels
The Montgomery Rebels was the name of an American minor league baseball franchise representing Montgomery, Alabama, that played in various leagues between and...
to two 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...
championships in 1975 and . In and , Moss managed the Evansville Triplets
Evansville Triplets
The Evansville Triplets were a minor league baseball team of the American Association from to . In its last season, Evansville was the Triple-A farm team for the Detroit Tigers...
. While managing the Triplets, he was credited with developing Lance Parrish's
Lance Parrish
Lance Michael Parrish, aka "Big Wheel", is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Detroit Tigers , Philadelphia Phillies , California Angels , Seattle Mariners , Cleveland Indians , Pittsburgh Pirates , and the Toronto Blue Jays...
catching skills, after the Tigers converted him from a third baseman to a catcher. After the 1978 season, Moss was voted Manager of the Year in 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...
, and The Sporting News named him Minor League Manager of the Year.
Moss succeeded Ralph Houk
Ralph Houk
Ralph George Houk , nicknamed The Major, was an American catcher, coach, manager, and front office executive in Major League Baseball...
as manager for the 1979 Detroit Tigers
1979 Detroit Tigers season
The 1979 Detroit Tigers finished in fifth place in the American League East with a record of 85-76, 18 games behind the Orioles. They outscored their opponents 770 to 738. The Tigers drew 1,630,929 fans to Tiger Stadium in 1979, ranking 7th of the 14 teams in the American League. The season is...
. In his time with the Tigers he went 27-26. He actually was not fired for cause or because he was ineffective, but rather because Sparky Anderson
Sparky Anderson
George Lee "Sparky" Anderson was an American Major League Baseball manager. He managed the National League's Cincinnati Reds to the 1975 and 1976 championships, then added a third title in 1984 with the Detroit Tigers of the American League. He was the first manager to win the World Series in both...
had unexpectedly become available. Moss was named manager soon after the 1978 season concluded. However, the Tigers had not counted on Anderson being fired on November 27, 1978 by 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....
. Moss was a victim of bad timing, as the Tigers came to a deal to bring Anderson to the Tigers after the first third of the 1979 season. Dick Tracewski
Dick Tracewski
Richard Joseph Tracewski was a player and coach in Major League Baseball. In his career, he was an infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers....
coached four games as interim manager until Anderson's arrival.
Moss finished with a managing record of 39-50 (.438) in 89 games. Moss also managed in the farm systems of the California 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...
and 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...
. Late in his on-field career, Moss served as pitching 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...
of the Cubs in 1981
1981 Chicago Cubs season
The Chicago Cubs' 1981 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Chicago Cubs finishing the first-half in last place at 15-37, 17½ games behind the Philadelphia Phillies, and the second-half in fifth place at 23-28, six games behind the eventual NL East Champion Montreal Expos in...
and, then for 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...
from 1982
1982 Houston Astros season
The Houston Astros' 1982 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League West.- Offseason :* October 23, 1981: Pete Ladd was traded by the Astros to the Milwaukee Brewers for Rickey Keeton....
to 1989
1989 Houston Astros season
The Houston Astros' 1989 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Houston Astros attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:* December 4, 1988: The Astros traded a player to be named later to the Minnesota Twins for Mark Portugal...
. In 1990, he worked as minor-league pitching instructor for the Astros, before working as a pitching coordinator for 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....
starting in . He retired from baseball in .