Loren Babe
Encyclopedia
Loren Rolland Babe nicknamed "Bee Bee," was an American
professional baseball
infielder
, manager
, scout and coach
. The native of Pisgah, Iowa
, was first signed by the New York Yankees
in 1945 and was a longtime player and manager in the Bombers' minor league
organization. During his two seasons in Major League Baseball
, he played for the Yankees and the Philadelphia Athletics
, registering 85 hits
in 382 at bats, yielding a .223 batting average
. He batted left-handed
, threw right-handed, stood 5 in 10 in (1.78 m) tall and weighed 180 pounds (81.6 kg).
After his playing days were over, Babe worked as a minor league manager and Major League Baseball coach. He was the Yankees' first base coach in 1967
, on the staff of skipper Ralph Houk
. In , while scouting for the Chicago White Sox
, Babe was diagnosed with colon cancer. At the time, he needed 57 days of Major League service to become a vested member of the player's pension plan, which also provides health benefits. The ChiSox named Babe to their coaching staff to enable him to qualify. At the same time the White Sox had another coach, batting instructor Charlie Lau
, who was battling cancer. Babe and Lau both made it through the 1983 season while undergoing cancer treatments.
Loren Babe died on February 14, 1984 in Omaha, Nebraska
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
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....
infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
, 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...
, scout and 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...
. The native of Pisgah, Iowa
Pisgah, Iowa
Pisgah is a city in Harrison County, Iowa, United States, along the Soldier River. The community is located in the midst of the modestly scenic Loess Hills.The population was 316 at the 2000 census....
, was first signed by 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...
in 1945 and was a longtime player and manager in the Bombers' 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...
organization. During his two seasons 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...
, he played for the Yankees and the Philadelphia 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....
, registering 85 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 382 at bats, yielding a .223 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 :...
. He batted left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
, threw right-handed, stood 5 in 10 in (1.78 m) tall and weighed 180 pounds (81.6 kg).
After his playing days were over, Babe worked as a minor league manager and Major League Baseball coach. He was the Yankees' first base coach in 1967
1967 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 67th season for the Yankees franchise, 65th in New York. The team finished ahead of only the Kansas City Athletics in the American League final standings, with a record of 72-90, finishing 20 games behind the Boston Red Sox. New York was managed by Ralph Houk...
, on the staff of skipper Ralph Houk
Ralph Houk
Ralph George Houk , nicknamed The Major, was an American catcher, coach, manager, and front office executive in Major League Baseball...
. In , while scouting 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...
, Babe was diagnosed with colon cancer. At the time, he needed 57 days of Major League service to become a vested member of the player's pension plan, which also provides health benefits. The ChiSox named Babe to their coaching staff to enable him to qualify. At the same time the White Sox had another coach, batting instructor Charlie Lau
Charlie Lau
Charles Richard Lau was an American catcher and hitting coach in Major League Baseball....
, who was battling cancer. Babe and Lau both made it through the 1983 season while undergoing cancer treatments.
Loren Babe died on February 14, 1984 in Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
.