Morrie Aderholt
Encyclopedia
Morris Woodroe Aderholt was a second baseman
and outfielder
in Major League Baseball
from 1939-1945.
Born in Mount Olive, North Carolina
, Aderholt graduated from Wake Forest University
and played professional ball for the Washington Senators
, Brooklyn Dodgers
and Boston Braves
from 1939-1945. He played a total of 106 games in the major leagues over the five seasons he was active.
He made his professional debut for Washington on September 13, 1939, his 24th birthday. He celebrated by hitting a home run and a single against the Chicago White Sox
.
Aderholt was described by Dodgers President Branch Rickey
as the "World's worst third baseman... but he's a natural batsman." He was thus moved to the outfield, where he would be less of a defensive liability. His fielding percentage in was a mediocre .871.
After his playing career ended, he went on to manage several minor league teams and also served as a scout for the Senators. Aderholt died on March 18, 1955 after suffering a heart attack during a scouting trip to Sarasota, Florida
.
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
and outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
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...
from 1939-1945.
Born in Mount Olive, North Carolina
Mount Olive, North Carolina
This article is about the town in Wayne County, North Carolina. For the unincorporated community in Stokes County see Mount Olive, Stokes County, North Carolina....
, Aderholt graduated from Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
and played professional ball for 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...
, Brooklyn Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
and Boston Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
from 1939-1945. He played a total of 106 games in the major leagues over the five seasons he was active.
He made his professional debut for Washington on September 13, 1939, his 24th birthday. He celebrated by hitting a home run and a single against 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...
.
Aderholt was described by Dodgers President Branch Rickey
Branch Rickey
Wesley Branch Rickey was an innovative Major League Baseball executive elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967...
as the "World's worst third baseman... but he's a natural batsman." He was thus moved to the outfield, where he would be less of a defensive liability. His fielding percentage in was a mediocre .871.
After his playing career ended, he went on to manage several minor league teams and also served as a scout for the Senators. Aderholt died on March 18, 1955 after suffering a heart attack during a scouting trip to Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. It is south of the Tampa Bay Area and north of Fort Myers...
.