Lu Blue
Encyclopedia
Luzerne Atwell "Lu" Blue (March 5, 1897 – July 28, 1958) was a Major League Baseball
first baseman
. He played in the major leagues from 1921 to 1932 with the Detroit Tigers
, St. Louis Browns
, and Chicago White Sox
. Blue was a switch-hitter who had a career on base percentage
of .402 and was one of the best fielding 1st basemen of his era. He interrupted his baseball career for military service in World War I
and was later honored with burial at Arlington National Cemetery
. In 2001, baseball historian Bill James
ranked Blue as the 77th best first baseman of all time.
, Blue grew up a fan of the Washington Senators
. Despite stern discouragement from his family, who thought baseball was a waste of time, Blue was determined to play baseball. He attended Briarly Hall Military School in Poolsville, Maryland, where his play drew the attention of professional scouts. Blue signed with the minor league Martinsburg Blue Sox. In 1917, the switch-hitting Blue reportedly hit grand slams from both sides of the plate in the same game.
The Detroit Tigers
purchased Blue’s contract in the fall of 1917. Blue did not make the team in 1918 and was drafted into the U.S. Army. Blue served at Camp Lee, Virginia until the war ended in 1919. He re-joined the Tigers after World War I, but was sent to Portland in the Pacific Coast League
, where he played in 1919 and 1920.
as the Tigers’ new player-manager, Blue finally made it to the big leagues at age 24. Blue credited Cobb with improving his performance as a hitter. Cobb taught him to study pitchers and to become a student of the game.
Blue hit .308 in his first season with Detroit and remained entrenched as the Tigers’ starting first baseman for seven seasons, 1921-1927. Blue was a reliable hitter in his years at Detroit, hitting above .300 four times, including a .311 season in . He finished among the top vote getters in the American League
Most Valuable Player
voting three times for the Tigers: 10th in , 19th in , and 12th in . In addition to hitting for average, Blue had a keen eye and a talent for drawing bases on balls. He was among the league leaders in bases on balls ten times in his career (1921–23, 1925–31). He finished his career with 1,092 walks – 67th best in major league history.
Driven in part by his ability to draw walks, Blue was also among the league leaders in on base percentage
four times, including a career-high .430 on base percentage
in – 2nd best in the American League
. Lu's career on base percentage
was .402 – 115 points above his .287 career batting average
.
With his ability to get on base, Blue was also a top run scorer, with 1,151 runs scored in his career, including six seasons with 100 or more runs and a career-high 131 runs as the leadoff hitter for the Detroit Tigers
.
Blue was also an excellent fielding first baseman
. In 1,571 games at first base, Blue had 15,644 putout
s and a career Range factor
of 10.60 – almost 3.00 full points above the league average of 7.64 for first basemen in his era. In 1922, his range factor was 11.2 – more than 4.20 points higher than the league average of 6.94. He had 1,506 putouts in 1922 and led American League
first basemen in putouts in 1929 (1,491) and 1931 (1,452). He also led American League first basemen in assists in 1928 (107) and double play
s (121). Often among the league leaders in fielding percentage, Blue would get to balls other first baseman could not touch. On September 8, , Blue had two unassisted double plays in a single game.
Blue was also a tough player – an attribute valued by Detroit's player-manager Ty Cobb
. On June 23, 1923, Blue was knocked unconscious after being hit in the head by a ball during fielding practice. Blue nevertheless went to bat in the 1st inning and hit a single to right field. Blue was woozy from the pre-game blow and barely made it to first base. The Yankees agreed to allow a courtesy runner, and Blue later returned to finish the game.
In , Blue clashed with the Tigers’ new manager, George Moriarty
. Moriarty moved Blue from the leadoff spot to the 7th spot in the batting order
. Blue’s relationship with Moriarty deteriorated through the season, with Blue announcing at the end of the season that he would never play another game for the Tigers.
to the St. Louis Browns
in December for Chick Galloway
(who had fractured his skull during batting practice in 1927 and was never the same), Elam Vangilder
and outfielder Harry Rice
. Blue and Manush both became stars for the Browns. In 1928, Blue was second in the American League
with 105 walks and showed that he could also hit for power, collecting 14 home runs, 57 extra base hits, and 80 RBIs. With Blue and Manush in the lineup, the Browns finished 3rd in the American League. In , Blue continued to perform well, collecting 126 walks and ranking first in the American League
in total times on base
with 296.
. In , he returned to the leadoff spot, batting .304 with a career-high on base percentage
of .430. He got on base 309 times, ranking 3rd best in the league. He also wound up 17th in the American League Most Valuable Player voting in his first season for the White Sox.
in 1958 at age 61. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
.
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...
first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
. He played in the major leagues from 1921 to 1932 with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The 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...
, 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...
, and 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...
. Blue was a switch-hitter who had a career 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...
of .402 and was one of the best fielding 1st basemen of his era. He interrupted his baseball career for military service in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and was later honored with burial at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
. In 2001, baseball historian Bill James
Bill James
George William “Bill” James is a baseball writer, historian, and statistician whose work has been widely influential. Since 1977, James has written more than two dozen books devoted to baseball history and statistics...
ranked Blue as the 77th best first baseman of all time.
Early years
Born in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, Blue grew up a fan of the Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. Despite stern discouragement from his family, who thought baseball was a waste of time, Blue was determined to play baseball. He attended Briarly Hall Military School in Poolsville, Maryland, where his play drew the attention of professional scouts. Blue signed with the minor league Martinsburg Blue Sox. In 1917, the switch-hitting Blue reportedly hit grand slams from both sides of the plate in the same game.
The Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The 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...
purchased Blue’s contract in the fall of 1917. Blue did not make the team in 1918 and was drafted into the U.S. Army. Blue served at Camp Lee, Virginia until the war ended in 1919. He re-joined the Tigers after World War I, but was sent to Portland in the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
, where he played in 1919 and 1920.
First baseman for the Detroit Tigers: 1921-1927
In , with Ty CobbTy Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
as the Tigers’ new player-manager, Blue finally made it to the big leagues at age 24. Blue credited Cobb with improving his performance as a hitter. Cobb taught him to study pitchers and to become a student of the game.
Blue hit .308 in his first season with Detroit and remained entrenched as the Tigers’ starting first baseman for seven seasons, 1921-1927. Blue was a reliable hitter in his years at Detroit, hitting above .300 four times, including a .311 season in . He finished among the top vote getters 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...
Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
voting three times for the Tigers: 10th in , 19th in , and 12th in . In addition to hitting for average, Blue had a keen eye and a talent for drawing bases on balls. He was among the league leaders in bases on balls ten times in his career (1921–23, 1925–31). He finished his career with 1,092 walks – 67th best in major league history.
Driven in part by his ability to draw walks, Blue was also among the league leaders in 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...
four times, including a career-high .430 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...
in – 2nd best 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...
. Lu's career 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...
was .402 – 115 points above his .287 career 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 his ability to get on base, Blue was also a top run scorer, with 1,151 runs scored in his career, including six seasons with 100 or more runs and a career-high 131 runs as the leadoff hitter for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The 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...
.
Blue was also an excellent fielding first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
. In 1,571 games at first base, Blue had 15,644 putout
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
s and a career Range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
of 10.60 – almost 3.00 full points above the league average of 7.64 for first basemen in his era. In 1922, his range factor was 11.2 – more than 4.20 points higher than the league average of 6.94. He had 1,506 putouts in 1922 and led 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...
first basemen in putouts in 1929 (1,491) and 1931 (1,452). He also led American League first basemen in assists in 1928 (107) and double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
s (121). Often among the league leaders in fielding percentage, Blue would get to balls other first baseman could not touch. On September 8, , Blue had two unassisted double plays in a single game.
Blue was also a tough player – an attribute valued by Detroit's player-manager Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
. On June 23, 1923, Blue was knocked unconscious after being hit in the head by a ball during fielding practice. Blue nevertheless went to bat in the 1st inning and hit a single to right field. Blue was woozy from the pre-game blow and barely made it to first base. The Yankees agreed to allow a courtesy runner, and Blue later returned to finish the game.
In , Blue clashed with the Tigers’ new manager, George Moriarty
George Moriarty
George Joseph Moriarty was an American third baseman, umpire and manager in Major League Baseball from 1903 to 1940. He played for the Chicago Cubs, New York Highlanders, Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox from 1903 to 1916.Moriarty was born in Chicago, Illinois, where he grew up near the Union...
. Moriarty moved Blue from the leadoff spot to the 7th spot in the batting order
Batting order (baseball)
The batting order, or batting lineup, in baseball is the sequence in which the nine members of the offense take their turns in batting against the pitcher. The batting order is the main component of a team's offensive strategy. The batting order is set by the manager before the game begins...
. Blue’s relationship with Moriarty deteriorated through the season, with Blue announcing at the end of the season that he would never play another game for the Tigers.
St. Louis Browns: 1928-1930
The Tigers obliged Blue, trading him with future Hall of Famer Heinie ManushHeinie Manush
Henry Emmett Manush , nicknamed "Heinie" due to his German heritage, was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball, and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964....
to 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...
in December for Chick Galloway
Chick Galloway
Clarence Edward Galloway was a shortstop in Major League Baseball. From 1919 through 1928, Galloway played for the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers . He batted and threw right-handed...
(who had fractured his skull during batting practice in 1927 and was never the same), Elam Vangilder
Elam Vangilder
Elam Russell Vangilder , was a professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from -. He would play for the St. Louis Browns and Detroit Tigers....
and outfielder Harry Rice
Harry Rice
Harry Francis Rice born in Ware Station, Illinois was an outfielder for the St. Louis Browns , Detroit Tigers , New York Yankees , Washington Senators and Cincinnati Reds ....
. Blue and Manush both became stars for the Browns. In 1928, Blue was second 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...
with 105 walks and showed that he could also hit for power, collecting 14 home runs, 57 extra base hits, and 80 RBIs. With Blue and Manush in the lineup, the Browns finished 3rd in the American League. In , Blue continued to perform well, collecting 126 walks and ranking first 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...
in total times on base
Times on base
In baseball statistics, the term times on base, also abbreviated as TOB, is the cumulative total number of times a batter has been awarded for reaching base as a result of hits, walks and hit by pitches. This stat does not include times reaching first by way of error, dropped 3rd strike, fielders...
with 296.
Chicago White Sox: 1931-1932
In , Blue had an arm injury, and his batting average slipped to .231. Fully recovered in 1931, Blue had one of his best seasons, after being purchased by Chicago White SoxChicago 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...
. In , he returned to the leadoff spot, batting .304 with a career-high 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...
of .430. He got on base 309 times, ranking 3rd best in the league. He also wound up 17th in the American League Most Valuable Player voting in his first season for the White Sox.
Life after baseball
Blue played thirteen seasons and finished his career in 1932 with a career on base percentage of .402. He became a chicken farmer in his retirement. He died in Alexandria, VirginiaAlexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
in 1958 at age 61. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball players with 100 triples
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs