List of bespectacled baseball players
Encyclopedia
In baseball
, players rarely wear spectacles but some players played in the major league
with glasses. For many years, wearing glasses while playing the sport was an embarrassment. Baseball talent scouts
routinely rejected spectacled prospects on sight. The stigma had diminished by the early 1960s and by one estimate 20 percent of major league players wore glasses by the end of the 1970s. The development of shatter-resistant lenses in the latter half of the 1940s contributed to their acceptance.
The first major-league player to wear spectacles was Will 'Whoop-La' White
in 1878-86. Only pitchers dared wear glasses while playing until the early 1920s, when George 'Specs' Toporcer
of the St. Louis Cardinals
became the first outfielder to sport eyewear. Bespectacled pitchers are less rare as they have less need to field the ball.
There are only two players in the Baseball Hall of Fame to have worn eyeglasses during play: Chick Hafey
and Reggie Jackson
. Because his vision became so variable, Hafey was obliged to rotate among three different pairs of glasses.
Other notable non-pitchers who wore glasses include:
And some pitchers:
And an umpire:
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...
, players rarely wear spectacles but some players played in the major league
Major League
See Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada.Major League may also refer to:-Sport:* Major League Baseball, the highest level of play in professional baseball in North America* Major League Cricket...
with glasses. For many years, wearing glasses while playing the sport was an embarrassment. Baseball talent scouts
Scout (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...
routinely rejected spectacled prospects on sight. The stigma had diminished by the early 1960s and by one estimate 20 percent of major league players wore glasses by the end of the 1970s. The development of shatter-resistant lenses in the latter half of the 1940s contributed to their acceptance.
The first major-league player to wear spectacles was Will 'Whoop-La' White
Will White
William Henry "Whoop-La" White was an American Major League Baseball pitcher.White made his debut on July 20, 1877 with the Boston Red Caps at the age of 23...
in 1878-86. Only pitchers dared wear glasses while playing until the early 1920s, when George 'Specs' Toporcer
Specs Toporcer
George Toporczer [played as Toporcer] was a professional baseball player and executive. He served primarily as a utility infielder during his eight seasons in Major League Baseball, playing for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1921 through 1928. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
of 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...
became the first outfielder to sport eyewear. Bespectacled pitchers are less rare as they have less need to field the ball.
There are only two players in the Baseball Hall of Fame to have worn eyeglasses during play: Chick Hafey
Chick Hafey
Charles James "Chick" Hafey was an American player in Major League Baseball. Hafey was part of two World Series championship teams as a St. Louis Cardinal, and was selected by the Veteran's Committee for the Hall of Fame in .Playing for the St...
and Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson
Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
. Because his vision became so variable, Hafey was obliged to rotate among three different pairs of glasses.
Other notable non-pitchers who wore glasses include:
- Bob DillingerBob DillingerRobert Bernard "Bob" Dillinger was a professional baseball player who played third base in the major leagues from 1946-51. He played for the St. Louis Browns, Philadelphia Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Chicago White Sox. He was born in Glendale, California.Dillinger led the American League in...
- 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...
— first catcher to wear glasses - Dick AllenDick AllenRichard Anthony Allen is a former Major League Baseball player and R&B singer. He played first and third base and outfield in Major League Baseball and ranked among his sport's top offensive producers of the 1960s and early 1970s...
— first American League MVP to wear glasses - Dom DiMaggioDom DiMaggioDominic Paul DiMaggio , nicknamed "The Little Professor", was a Major League Baseball center fielder. He played his entire 11-year baseball career for the Boston Red Sox...
— "The Little Professor" - Stan LopataStan LopataStanley Edward Lopata was an American professional baseball player. Lopata played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for parts of 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Braves...
— the first National LeagueNational LeagueThe 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...
catcher to wear glasses. - Eric SogardEric SogardEric Sidney Sogard aka Harry Potter The Wizard of the Baseball Diamond is an infielder for the Oakland Athletics. From Arizona State University, Sogard was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 2nd Round of the 2007 amateur draft...
- Bill VirdonBill VirdonWilliam Charles Virdon is a former outfielder, manager and coach in Major League Baseball. A premier defensive outfielder during his playing days as a center fielder for the St...
- Earl TorgesonEarl TorgesonClifford Earl Torgeson was an American, left-handed hitting and throwing first baseman in Major League Baseball...
— Replied "Because I want to be able to see." when asked by Jack BrickhouseJack BrickhouseJohn Beasley "Jack" Brickhouse was an American sportscaster. Known primarily for his play-by-play coverage of Chicago Cubs games on WGN-TV from 1948 to 1981, he received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983...
why he wore glasses when he played.
And some pitchers:
- Mel HarderMel HarderMelvin Leroy Harder , nicknamed "Chief", was an American, right-handed, starting pitcher and coach in Major League Baseball, who played his entire career with the Cleveland Indians. He spent 36 seasons overall with the Indians, as a player from 1928 to 1947 and as one of the game's most highly...
- Vic SorrellVic SorrellVictor Garland Sorrell , nicknamed "Lawyer" and "The Philosopher," was a Major League pitcher who played his entire career with the Detroit Tigers. In 10 Major League seasons, Sorrell had a 92-101 record with a 4.43 career ERA...
of the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe 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... - 'Deacon Danny' MacFaydenDanny MacFaydenDaniel Knowles MacFayden was an American starting and relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. From through , he played for the Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees , Cincinnati Reds , Boston Braves , Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Senators...
- Jim KonstantyJim KonstantyCasimir James "Jim" Konstanty was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball and National League Most Valuable Player of 1950. He played for the Cincinnati Reds , Boston Braves , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals...
- Carmen HillCarmen HillCarmen Proctor Hill born in Royalton, Minnesota was a pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates , New York Giants and St...
- Lee MeadowsLee MeadowsHenry Lee "Specs" Meadows was a professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of 15 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was the National League wins leader in 1926 with Pittsburgh...
- Ryne DurenRyne DurenRinold George "Ryne" Duren was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball.He was known for the combination of his blazing fastball and his very poor vision. With his thick coke bottle glasses, few batters dared to dig in against Duren...
— once hit a batter in the on-deck circle - Brett CecilBrett CecilBrett Aarion Cecil is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. Cecil was drafted as the 38th overall pick in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft by the Blue Jays...
- Kyle FarnsworthKyle FarnsworthKyle Lynn Farnsworth is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently the closer for the Tampa Bay Rays.-High school and college:...
- Eric GagneÉric GagnéÉric Serge Gagné is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.Signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent in 1995, Gagné began his career as a starting pitcher...
- Kevin GreggKevin GreggKevin Marschall Gregg is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles.-High school career:...
- Francisco Rodriguez
- Jose ValverdeJosé ValverdeJosé Rafael Valverde is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. His nickname is Papa Grande...
- Bob VealeBob VealeRobert Andrew Veale is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Red Sox . He attended Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.Veale was a top strikeout pitcher for the Pirates for about seven years...
- Bill DietrichBill DietrichWilliam John "Bullfrog" Dietrich is a former professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1933-1948. He would play for the Washington Senators, Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Athletics.In 16 seasons, Dietrich posted a 108-128 career record...
And an umpire:
- Frank UmontFrank UmontFrank William Umont was an umpire in the American League of Major League Baseball from 1954 to 1973. He was the first major league umpire to wear spectacles while officiating....
— first major league umpire to wear glasses