Rudy Schlesinger
Encyclopedia
William Cordes "Rudy" Schlesinger (born November 5, 1941, at Cincinnati, Ohio
) is a retired American
professional baseball
player. He had one at bat
in Major League Baseball
as a pinch hitter
for the Boston Red Sox
. Listed at 6 in 2 in (1.88 m), 175 pounds (79.4 kg), Schlesinger batted and threw right-handed. He spent much of his seven-year (1964–1970) professional career in the Red Sox organization, although Boston would lose him on waivers once, trade him twice, and reacquire him twice in the space of four seasons.
An outfielder
, Schlesinger was signed by Boston in 1963 out of the University of Cincinnati
, where he graduated with a degree in education. After hitting 37 home runs, driving in 117 runs, and batting
.341 in the 1964 Class A New York-Penn League (then a full season circuit), he was protected under the bonus rules of the 1960s on the 1965 Red Sox
roster coming out of spring training
.
In Schlesinger's only MLB appearance, on May 4, he batted for Boston pitcher
Dave Morehead
in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels
at Chavez Ravine
. Schlesinger grounded out (pitcher Marcelino López
to first baseman
Costen Shockley
). Boston lost the game, 7–1, one of 100 defeats the BoSox would absorb in 1965. Three days later, when the Red Sox tried to send Schlesinger to the minor leagues
, they had to pass him through waivers and he was claimed by the Kansas City Athletics
.
Thus began the "yo-yo
" nature of his career. After parts of two seasons in the Athletics' farm system, the Red Sox reacquired Schlesinger in 1966 and he played the entire 1967 campaign with the Double-A Pittsfield Red Sox
, belting 21 home runs. Then, during the winter meetings on November 30, 1967, he was traded with cash to the Chicago Cubs
for pitcher Ray Culp
. It was a one-sided deal: for the Red Sox, Culp averaged 16 wins
over the next four seasons, while Schlesinger struggled in the Cub system in 1968 before being reacquired by the Red Sox in midseason and returning to Pittsfield. He then began 1969 with Boston's Louisville Colonels affiliate. After only 50 at bats in Louisville, the parent Red Sox traded him again, this time to the Philadelphia Phillies
for veteran outfielder Don Lock
. Schlesinger played the remainder of his pro career with the Phillies' Triple-A club, the Eugene Emeralds
, in 1969–1970. All told, he batted .270 with 127 home runs in 732 minor league games.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
) is a retired American
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....
player. He had one at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
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 pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
for the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. Listed at 6 in 2 in (1.88 m), 175 pounds (79.4 kg), Schlesinger batted and threw right-handed. He spent much of his seven-year (1964–1970) professional career in the Red Sox organization, although Boston would lose him on waivers once, trade him twice, and reacquire him twice in the space of four seasons.
An 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...
, Schlesinger was signed by Boston in 1963 out of the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
, where he graduated with a degree in education. After hitting 37 home runs, driving in 117 runs, and batting
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 :...
.341 in the 1964 Class A New York-Penn League (then a full season circuit), he was protected under the bonus rules of the 1960s on the 1965 Red Sox
1965 Boston Red Sox season
The 1965 Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing 9th in the American League with a record of 62 wins and 100 losses.- Offseason :...
roster coming out of spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
.
In Schlesinger's only MLB appearance, on May 4, he batted for Boston pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Dave Morehead
Dave Morehead
David Michael Morehead is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. A right-hander, Morehead pitched for the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals ....
in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles 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...
at Chavez Ravine
Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium, also sometimes called Chavez Ravine, is a stadium in Los Angeles. Located adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium has been the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers team since 1962...
. Schlesinger grounded out (pitcher Marcelino López
Marcelino López
Marcelino Pons López was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He was a member of the 1970 World Series Champion Baltimore Orioles.-Early years:...
to 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...
Costen Shockley
Costen Shockley
John Costen Shockley is a former Major League Baseball first baseman who played for two seasons...
). Boston lost the game, 7–1, one of 100 defeats the BoSox would absorb in 1965. Three days later, when the Red Sox tried to send Schlesinger to the minor leagues
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...
, they had to pass him through waivers and he was claimed by the Kansas City 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....
.
Thus began the "yo-yo
Yo-yo
The yo-yo in its simplest form is an object consisting of an axle connected to two disks, and a length of twine looped around the axle, similar to a slender spool...
" nature of his career. After parts of two seasons in the Athletics' farm system, the Red Sox reacquired Schlesinger in 1966 and he played the entire 1967 campaign with the Double-A Pittsfield Red Sox
Pittsfield Red Sox
The Pittsfield Red Sox was the name of an American minor league baseball franchise based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, from 1965 through 1969. It was the Double-A Eastern League affiliate in the Boston Red Sox farm system and produced future Major League Baseball players such as George Scott,...
, belting 21 home runs. Then, during the winter meetings on November 30, 1967, he was traded with cash to the 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...
for pitcher Ray Culp
Ray Culp
Raymond Leonard Culp was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies , Chicago Cubs , and Boston Red Sox ....
. It was a one-sided deal: for the Red Sox, Culp averaged 16 wins
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
over the next four seasons, while Schlesinger struggled in the Cub system in 1968 before being reacquired by the Red Sox in midseason and returning to Pittsfield. He then began 1969 with Boston's Louisville Colonels affiliate. After only 50 at bats in Louisville, the parent Red Sox traded him again, this time to the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for veteran outfielder Don Lock
Don Lock
Don Wilson Lock is a former professional baseball player who played outfield in the major leagues from 1962 to 1969 for the Washington Senators , Philadelphia Phillies , and Boston Red Sox . Lock attended Wichita State University, stood 6'2" tall and weighed 202 pounds...
. Schlesinger played the remainder of his pro career with the Phillies' Triple-A club, the Eugene Emeralds
Eugene Emeralds
The Eugene Emeralds is a minor league baseball team in Eugene, Oregon, United States. They are a short-season Class A team in the Northwest League, and have been a farm team of the San Diego Padres since 2001....
, in 1969–1970. All told, he batted .270 with 127 home runs in 732 minor league games.