Van Fletcher
Encyclopedia
Albert Vanoide Fletcher (August 6, 1924 – March 17, 2010) was a Major League Baseball
pitcher
. He appeared in nine games for the Detroit Tigers
in .
Fletcher was born in East Bend
, North Carolina in 1924. He volunteered for service and fought in World War II
. Following the completion of his military service, Fletcher was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals
professional baseball organization. He played for several minor league baseball teams, including the Elkin Blanketeers, Vancouver Capilanos, and Seattle Rainiers
. In August 1954, the Detroit Tigers
acquired him from the Rainiers.
After spending the 1957 season with the Birmingham Barons
, Fletcher retired from baseball. He returned to Yadkin County
where he worked as a building contractor in the Winston-Salem
and Yadkinville
areas. He also farmed tobacco for many years as well as coaching little league baseball throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Fletcher died in Yadkinville on March 17, 2010 at the age of 85. He was survived by his widow, the former Rilla Whitaker, as well as his two sons.
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...
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...
. He appeared in nine games 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...
in .
Fletcher was born in East Bend
East Bend, North Carolina
East Bend is a town in northeastern Yadkin County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 659 at the 2000 census. It is a Piedmont Triad community.-Geography:East Bend is located at ....
, North Carolina in 1924. He volunteered for service and fought in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Following the completion of his military service, Fletcher was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
professional baseball organization. He played for several minor league baseball teams, including the Elkin Blanketeers, Vancouver Capilanos, and Seattle Rainiers
Seattle Rainiers
The Seattle Rainiers, originally named the Seattle Indians and also known as the Seattle Angels, were a minor league baseball team in Seattle, Washington, that played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903-06 and 1919-68...
. In August 1954, 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...
acquired him from the Rainiers.
After spending the 1957 season with the Birmingham Barons
Birmingham Barons
The Birmingham Barons are a minor league baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox major-league club....
, Fletcher retired from baseball. He returned to Yadkin County
Yadkin County, North Carolina
- Cities and towns :*Boonville*East Bend*Jonesville*Yadkinville-Towns of the past:These towns were incorporated at one time:*Arlington, merged with Jonesville in 2001.*Hamptonville, chartered in 1818.*Huntsville, incorporated in 1792....
where he worked as a building contractor in the Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina, with a 2010 population of 229,617. Winston-Salem is the county seat and largest city of Forsyth County and the fourth-largest city in the state. Winston-Salem is the second largest municipality in the Piedmont Triad region and is home to...
and Yadkinville
Yadkinville, North Carolina
Yadkinville is a town in Yadkin County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,818 at the 2000 census. Located in the Piedmont Triad, it is the county seat and largest city of Yadkin County.-Geography:Yadkinville is located at ....
areas. He also farmed tobacco for many years as well as coaching little league baseball throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Fletcher died in Yadkinville on March 17, 2010 at the age of 85. He was survived by his widow, the former Rilla Whitaker, as well as his two sons.