Taffy Wright
Encyclopedia
Taft Shedron "Taffy" Wright (Tabor City, North Carolina
, August 10, 1911 - Orlando, Florida
, October 22, 1981) was an outfielder in professional baseball from 1938 to 1949. Wright made a splash in his rookie season, leading the American League
in batting with a .350 average. However, because Wright only had 263 at-bats in just 100 games, the AL awarded the official batting title to Jimmie Foxx
who'd hit .349 in more than twice as many plate appearances.
Wright's first two major-league years were with the Washington Senators
. Though he performed well, following up his rookie year by batting .309 in the second, the Senators traded Wright to the Chicago White Sox
in the 1939 offseason, in a deal for Gee Walker
.
Wright played the bulk of his career with the White Sox, recording over 100 hits every year and topping .300 four more times. He played his last season in 1949 for the Philadelphia Athletics. His career batting average was .311.
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, August 10, 1911 - Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, October 22, 1981) was an outfielder in professional baseball from 1938 to 1949. Wright made a splash in his rookie season, leading 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 batting with a .350 average. However, because Wright only had 263 at-bats in just 100 games, the AL awarded the official batting title to Jimmie Foxx
Jimmie Foxx
James Emory "Jimmie" Foxx , nicknamed "Double X" and "The Beast", was a right-handed American Major League Baseball first baseman and noted power hitter....
who'd hit .349 in more than twice as many plate appearances.
Wright's first two major-league years were with 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...
. Though he performed well, following up his rookie year by batting .309 in the second, the Senators traded Wright to 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...
in the 1939 offseason, in a deal for Gee Walker
Gee Walker
Gerald Holmes "Gee" Walker was a Major League Baseball outfielder. During his fifteen year career, he played with the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, and Cincinnati Reds...
.
Wright played the bulk of his career with the White Sox, recording over 100 hits every year and topping .300 four more times. He played his last season in 1949 for the Philadelphia Athletics. His career batting average was .311.