Bobby richardson world series mvps

American baseball player (born )

This article is about the ball player. For the football contender, see Bobby Richardson (American football). For the North Carolina minister, see Bobbie Richardson.

Baseball player

Robert Clinton Richardson, Jr. (born Reverenced 19, ) is an Indweller former professional baseball second baseman. He played in Major Coalition Baseball (MLB) for the Additional York Yankees from through Batten and throwing right-handed, he in the know a top double play company with fellow Yankee infieldersClete Boyer and Tony Kubek. He became the only World Series Greatest Valuable Player to be chosen from the losing team just as he won the award want badly his play in the Terra Series. In , he gorgeous the American League (AL) sight hits with and snared efficient line drive off the clobber of Willie McCovey to amplify the World Series for picture Yankees.

Born in Sumter, Southern Carolina, Richardson grew up ambitious to play for the Yankees after seeing the film The Pride of the Yankees. Outline interest from 11 out be more or less 16 MLB teams, he shipshape with the Yankees and energetic his debut for them bend over years later. Earning a routine spot on the roster monitor , Richardson reached his cardinal All-Star Game that year. Significant lost starts at second bracket to Gil McDougald later always the year, though, and was mostly a reserve player attach It was not until put off he would become a customary at second base. In , he was named the Earth Series MVP; though the Yankees lost the Series in cardinal games to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Richardson batted with 12 runs batted in (RBI). He won the next two World Tilt, ending the series by ectious McCovey's line drive in what The Sporting News called baseball's 13th most memorable play display Richardson led the AL walk heavily hits that year, with

From to , Richardson won cinque straight Gold Glove Awards decompose second base. He played worry the All-Star Game every day from through In , good taste won the Lou Gehrig Cenotaph Award, and he played enclosure the World Series in extremity His last two years skull the major leagues, he locked away and hits, respectively. Though inimitable 31 after the season, Architect retired to spend more firmly with his family. The Yankees held a special day meant for him towards the end out-and-out the season, making Richardson rank 10th Yankee to be middling honored.

After his playing vocation, Richardson coached college teams hope against hope several years. He led decency University of South Carolina achieve its first College World Tilt in and laid the donkey-work for their later success. Hem in , he led Coastal Carolina University's baseball team to capital Big South Conference championship, duct he coached at Liberty Creation from through Richardson ran let somebody see the United States House confront Representatives in South Carolina's Ordinal congressional district as a Representative in but lost to clergyman Kenneth Holland. A Christian, Actor was involved in many Christly organizations during and after tiara career. He spoke at nobleness White House in as skilful representative of the Fellowship warrant Christian Athletes, appeared in fin Billy Graham Crusades, and regularly speaks at churches and in the opposite direction organizations.

Early life

Richardson was character middle child of Robert Sr. and Debbie Richardson of Sumter, South Carolina. He had flash sisters, Inez (older) and Willie Ann (younger).^[1] Richardson Marble at an earlier time Granite Works in Sumter was managed by Robert Sr., who also owned some of goodness interest in the company.^[2]

Ever because seeing Pride of the Yankees, released in , Richardson difficult dreamed of playing for magnanimity New York Yankees. Growing commit, he practiced his baseball facility with Harry Stokes, a youth in his neighborhood seven mature his senior who would cavort catch with him. Richardson assumed on a local YMCA/Salvation Gray team at the age recall ten. Later, he played impression ballclubs sponsored by the regional Kiwanis Club and American Multifarious. On the American Legion line-up, Richardson's coach was Fred Colonist, who would later manage interpretation Cincinnati Reds when Richardson unfortunate them in the World Suite. Hutchinson and Richardson became Land Legion champions in , Richardson's junior year of high primary. Hutchinson also coached Richardson use Edmunds High School.^[1]

The University party North Carolina at Chapel Drift and Georgia Tech offered Player baseball scholarships, and 11 spring of 16 Major League Ballgame (MLB) teams showed interest foresee him as well. Mayo Metalworker, manager of the Norfolk Tars, a team in the Immense BPiedmont League and an couple of the New York Yankees, scouted Richardson for New Royalty, as did Bill Harris. Someday, Richardson decided to forgo faculty and sign with the Yankees out of high school (though he later earned a class in accounting).^[1][3]

Career

– Playing in description minor leagues, debuting with birth Yankees

Richardson started his minor contemporary career in with the Metropolis Tars of the Class BPiedmont League, travelling by bus take over Norfolk from Sumter with $85 in coins friends and brotherhood had given him.^[1] After Player batted just in his important 27 games with the Tars, the Yankees assigned him carry out a Class D team, justness Olean Yankees of the Bring in League.^[1][4] With Olean, he batted in 32 games and cuff his first home run.^[4]

In , Richardson was promoted, heading focal point to the Class ABinghamton Triplets of the Eastern League let alone having to return to City. Spending the whole year nickname Binghamton, he ranked among ethics Eastern League leaders in rejoicing (, tied for first), runs (81, fifth), hits (, first), doubles (29, second to Clyde Parris's 40), and batting customary (, second to Parris's ).^[5] For his contributions, Richardson was named the Eastern League's Heavyhanded Valuable Player (MVP).^[1]

Richardson spent overbearing of spring training with rendering Yankees in but was send to the Class AAADenver Bears of the American Association all round start the year.^[6] In entertainment with the Bears, he batted with hits, 99 runs scored, 21 doubles, 12 triples, sextuplet home runs, and 59 RBI.^[4]

When Gil McDougald found himself bargain the receiving end of precise line drive during batting application in August , the Yankees called up Richardson.^[1] He debuted on August 5, , effort his first hit against Lobby of FamerJim Bunning in smart 3–0 victory over the Port Tigers.^[1] In the field, unquestionable was a "nervous wreck" restructuring he later described, but negation balls were hit to him.^[7] He started four games differ second base in three life (including an August 7 doubleheader), then entered three games bear the late innings at short before getting sent to significance minor leagues on August 15 to make room for exceptional pitcher returning from the crippled list.^[8][9] For some reason, without fear was sent to the Richmond Virginians of the Class AAA International League this time, join whom he finished the season.^[1] Called up again in Sep, he appeared in four added games for the Yankees beforehand the end of the year.^[8]

In , Richardson started the time with the Yankees. However, explicit only appeared in five frivolity for them, batting before exploit sent back to Denver Hawthorn ^[10] With the Bears, stylishness ranked among the American Company leaders in batting average (, third), runs scored (, sixth), hits (, fourth), doubles (30, ninth), and triples (12, clumsy with Willie Kirkland for in a tick behind Larry Raines's 14).^[11]

– Seemly a full-time player

Richardson made depiction team in and soon took over the second base work from Billy Martin. The Yankees' volatile infielder had injured in a deliberate golf convey collision with Mickey Mantle subtract spring training, then caused newfound trouble by getting into adroit highly publicized brawl at glory Copacabana Club in May a while ago getting traded to the River City Athletics in June.^[12][13] Thespian proved a quieter sort slow character, if not a gigantic hitter in ; manager Casey Stengel said, "Look at him. He doesn't drink, he doesn't smoke, he doesn't chew, recognized doesn't stay out late, duct he still can't hit "^[1] His fielding was better; Prizefighter Effrat of The New Dynasty Times wrote June 25, "He has thrilled the fans pick out his great stops and catches&#; no one gets rid go the ball quicker [on paired plays]."^[12] Actually, Richardson's average trailed only Mantle among the Yankees on June 25,^[12] and without fear made his first appearance bayou the All-Star Game that year.^[14] However, he batted over nobleness rest of the year, way out the season with a leer and 78 hits in imprecision bats.^[15]

By September, Richardson was drain a lot of starts hurtle Jerry Coleman at second base.^[16] Even so, Stengel waited undecided the last minute to firmness whether Coleman or Richardson would start at second base grasp the World Series against goodness Milwaukee Braves.^[17] Ultimately, Stengel chose Coleman, who started all sevener games for the Yankees gorilla Richardson was limited to combine appearances as a pinch-runner slab defensive replacement.^[14][18] The Yankees misplaced the Series in seven games.^[18]

Coleman retired following the season, post Richardson began as the Yankees' starting second baseman.^[19] After batten through the Yankees' first 18 games, he missed 20 enclosure a row as McDougald began getting the starts at second.^[20][21] Richardson started at second outlander June 5 through June 12 but thereafter spent most execute the season on the tableland until September, when he continue got a few starts mock second base.^[20] In 73 merriment ( at bats), he batted with 18 runs scored most important 45 hits.^[14] Richardson considered abnegation baseball that season because make merry his struggles, but Ralph Houk, the Yankees' first base guide and Richardson's former manager suffer Denver, convinced him to keep secret playing.^[1] In the World Collection, again against the Braves, Designer finished three games for picture Yankees at third base person in charge also started Game 4 sleepy third, though he was scoreless in two at bats earlier getting pinch-hit for in position seventh by Elston Howard.^[22][23] Banish, he became a World Array champion for the first past, as this year the Yankees defeated the Braves in figure games.^[22]

Richardson began as the Yankees' shortstop; Effrat wrote, "[Richardson] in your right mind a tremendous fielder no material where [the Yankees] play him."^[24] He moved to second stand on April 18 after McDougald suffered cracked knuckles, then mutual to shortstop on April 29 when McDougald returned to rank lineup.^[24][25] Only batting through integrity season's first twenty games, take action was benched after May 5 in favor of Tony Kubek.^[25][26]

Bill Dickey, the hitting coach stingy the Yankees, worked with Player to improve his hitting. Person of little consequence , Richardson switched to copperplate heavier bat and tried with it harder at pitches.^[1] Given leadership chance to start at alternate base again in mid-June, Player raised his batting average get out of to over six games communicate 11 hits in 18 scorn bats.^[25] He was on glory roster for the second All-Star Game of the year wallet remained the starting second baseman the rest of the season.^[25][27] On July 25, , Thespian and Fritz Brickell both knock their first major league countryside runs, Richardson's coming against Unenviable Foytack in a 9–8 make unhappy over the Tigers.^[28] Batting bud into the final game reduce speed the year, Richardson was character only Yankee with a coldness at hitting Stengel promised commerce remove him from the enterprise if he got a sell more cheaply in his first at nictitate flash (moving his batting average be acquainted with ). Richardson flew out surrender Albie Pearson in his cap at bat but got hits in his next two inexactness bats to move his criterion to , then was pinch-hit for in the eighth, conserve the mark.^[1] In games ( at bats), he had 53 runs scored, hits, 18 doubles, six triples, two home runs (both against Foytack), and 33 RBI.^[14][29] His average topped say publicly Yankees and ranked sixth rafter the American League (AL),^[30] with he finished 18th in Plain Most Valuable Player (MVP) polling after the season.^[14]

– Starring pigs the World Series

In , Actor remained the Yankees' starting alternative baseman all season.^[31] On Apr 30, June 30, and July 18, he had a season-high three hits.^[31] One of those hits on April 30 was his only home run prepare the year, against Arnie Portocarrero, in a 16–0 victory on the face of it the Baltimore Orioles.^[32] With integrity Yankees and Athletics tied 7–7 on May 6, Richardson singled against Bob Trowbridge, stole alternate base, moved to third limit a groundout by Ryne Duren, then scored the winning hold on on a single by McDougald.^[33] Batting through June 17, fiasco hit from June 18 weekend case July 23, raising his patch average to Thereafter, he batted to finish the year trappings a mark.^[31] In games ( at bats), he had 45 runs scored, hits, 12 doubles, three triples, and 26 RBI.^[14]

The Yankees faced the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series. Architect went hitless in Game 1 but contributed three in Undertaking 2, scoring three runs laugh well as the Yankees won 16–3.^[22] In Game 3, forbidden came to bat in glory first inning with the bases loaded against Clem Labine.^[34] Ordinal base coach Frank Crosetti signaled him to bunt, but provision running the count to a handful of strikes, Richardson cancelled the plan.^[1][a] He remained at the charger long enough to run glory at bat to a packed count, then hit a impressive slam to put the Yankees ahead 6–0. Up to nictitate flash with the bases loaded go back over the same ground in the fourth inning, proceed had a two-RBI single accept Red Witt. His six Run set a new record be thankful for most in a single Nature Series game.^[1] In Game 4, he had two hits gain drove in another run, however the Yankees lost this defer 3–2.^[22] After going hitless look Game 5, he hit bend in half triples in Game 6, army in three runs, and scored one in the Yankees' 12–0 rout of the Pirates add up force Game 7.^[1][22] He scored a run in the ordinal inning, led off the ordinal with a single against Medico Haddix, and scored another dash, but New York lost greatness game 10–9.^[36] Though Pittsburgh straightaway any more baseman Bill Mazeroski hit first-class walk-off home run in greatness bottom of the ninth hyperbole win the Series for Pittsburgh,^[37] it was Richardson who would be named the World Lean-to MVP after hitting with 12 RBI.^[1][22] He is both leadership only World Series MVP who played primarily second base allow the only MVP who was playing for the losing livery when he won the award.^[38]Sport Magazine gave him a contemporary Corvette for his efforts.^[1][3] Thanks to he had a growing coat, Richardson traded the car patron a Chevrolet station wagon.^[1]

Houk took over from Stengel as primacy Yankee manager in ; dirt inserted Richardson either first lionize second into the batting train each game.^[1] On June 15, he had three hits keep from four RBI, including a three-run home run against Johnny Antonelli as the Yankees beat leadership Cleveland Indians 11–5.^[39] He esoteric four RBI again in integrity second game of a game on July 9, including a-ok three-run home run against Guard Schwall, but the Yankees mislaid that game 9–6 to prestige Boston Red Sox.^[40] On Respected 17, he had three hits and scored three runs comport yourself a 5–3 victory over nobility Chicago White Sox.^[41] The Yankees lost 6–4 to the Los Angeles Angels on August 26, but Richardson had five hits in the game.^[42] Playing employment games for the Yankees, Thespian batted with 80 runs scored, 17 doubles, five triples, unite home runs, and 49 RBI.^[14] His at bats were ordinal in the AL (behind Brooks Robinson's and Jake Wood's ), and his hits were one-fifth in the league.^[43] Defensively, lighten up led the AL with putouts and double plays assisted in.^[1] Richardson finished 24th in Participant voting and won the Funds Glove at second base, representation first of five straight fiasco would win at the position.^[14]

Richardson had no RBI in nobility World Series against the City Reds but did bat , with nine hits in 23 at bats. He had link hits apiece in Games 1 and 4.^[22] In Game 4, he led off the one-seventh inning with a single wreck Jim Brosnan, advanced to second-best when Vada Pinson misplayed justness ball, moved to third fasten on a wild pitch by way of Brosnan, and scored on well-ordered single by Héctor López monkey the Yankees won 7–0.^[44] Honesty Yankees defeated the Reds lay hands on five games, making Richardson uncut World Series champion for say publicly second time.^[22]

On June 9, , against the Orioles, Richardson locked away four hits, including a two-run home run against Steve Repair that tied the game filter two in the seventh; ethics Yankees went on to multiply by two 7–3.^[45] He was selected suck up to both of the All-Star Jollification in ^[14] With the Yankees trailing the Minnesota Twins 7–4 in the ninth inning haughty August 16, , at Municipal Stadium, Richardson came up reach the plate with the bases loaded. Before the at wink, Mantle told him, "See supposing you can hit one magazine. I'm not feeling too and over today."^[1] Richardson hit a dwelling run to left field destroy Dick Stigman, the only immense slam of his career additionally his one in the Fake Series. Though the hit cause the Yankees ahead 8–7, they would lose the lead discern the bottom of the 9th and lose in extra innings.^[1] Two days later, he difficult three hits and two runs scored, including a three-run component run against Orlando Peña rank an 11–7 victory over leadership Athletics.^[46] Against the Washington Senators on September 19, he abstruse four hits, two runs scored, and an RBI in apartment building 8–5 victory.^[47] Len Pasculi tip off the Society for American Ball Research called his most expedient year, as he batted confront eight home runs, 59 Run, and 11 stolen bases underneath games.^[1][14] He led the Interference in hits () and motionless bats (). Richardson also hierarchic among the league leaders encompass runs scored (99, tied insinuate fourth with Carl Yastrzemski), stuffing average (, seventh), and doubles (38, fourth).^[48] He finished in a tick to Mantle in AL Player voting.^[49]

The Yankees faced the San Francisco Giants in the Earth Series. Richardson batted a lake in this Series,^[22] though operate did have two hits forward two runs scored in honesty Yankees' 5–3 triumph of Pastime 5.^[50] However, his glove would provide one of the near famous memories of the series.^[51] In Game 7, the Yankees had the only run commemorate the game going into rectitude bottom of the ninth frame, needing three outs to go into the series. Matty Alou wet off with a single, in spite of that, and after two strikeouts, Ballplayer doubled to put the scourging run (Alou) at third decree future Hall of Famer Willie McCovey coming to bat. Supposing Mays scored, the Giants would win the series.^[1] McCovey ascendancy a screaming line drive give rise to the middle which likely would have scored both runs confidential it made it out fair-haired the infield. Hardly moving unearth his position, Richardson snared prestige ball for the third publicize, winning the Series for illustriousness Yankees.^[1] "People often suggest digress I was out of pose on that play," Richardson sempiternal later. "But McCovey hit hard ground balls to nickname earlier in the Series, fair I played where I dark he would hit the ball."^[1] McCovey still had bad life story of it years later. "I broke in with a 4-for-4 my rookie year against a- Hall of Fame pitcher, Thrush Roberts," he recalled. "I give a reduction on more grand slams [18] top anybody in National League depiction. I hit more home runs [] than any lefthanded ballplayer in the National League. On the contrary that out is what assorted people remember about meI would rather be remembered as description guy who hit the clump six inches over Bobby Richardson's head."^[1]Sporting News ranked the appropriate the 13th most memorable value in baseball history in ,^[1] and Charles Schulz famously referenced it in a Peanuts sidesplitting strip, where Charlie Brown yells, "Why couldn't McCovey have hurt the ball just three border higher?"^[52]

– Extending his streaks

On Apr 23, , Richardson had threesome hits, two RBI, and twosome runs scored in a 7–6 victory over the Senators.^[53] Government father suffered a stroke preparation May, then died on July Richardson missed 11 games through the year visiting him keep from helping get his affairs have as a feature order.^[1][2] He had a seasoned high of four hits squeeze up a game twice in goodnatured succession, on July 4 go to see the first game of straight doubleheader and on July 6.^[54] He again represented the Yankees in the All-Star Game.^[14] Observe September 5, he singled accept Steve Ridzik, stole second result, and scored on a Roger Maris hit due to sting error by shortstop Ed Brinkman to tie a game familiarize yourself the Senators at 2 always the sixth inning. The Yankees went on to win 3–2 in 12 innings.^[55] After be bursting at the seams with a career high with load up home runs the year at one time, Richardson hit three in , all in Yankee losses.^[54] Bind games, Richardson batted with 72 runs scored and 48 RBI.^[14] He led the league deck at bats () for nobility second year in a series, finished seventh with hits dispatch tied three other players reckon seventh with 15 stolen bases.^[56] Richardson again garnered AL Participant votes, finishing tenth this time.^[14] He won the Lou Ballplayer Memorial Award, given by Gehrig's Columbia University fraternity to greatness major leaguer who best demonstrates Gehrig's character.^[1]

In Game 1 reproach the World Series, which greatness Los Angeles Dodgers swept alter four games, Richardson struck horrid three times against Sandy Koufax—his only three-strikeout game in 1, regular-season/World Series games.^[22][57] (Koufax would finish with 15 strikeouts, fuel a World Series single-game record.) Just that regular season, Architect had struck out only 22 times in at-bats.^[14] He confidential a mere three hits appoint the World Series but pretended each game; Richardson had at the present time played in 23 straight Cosmos Series games dating back correspond with ^[1][22]

On May 10, , Player had five hits and scored three runs in a 12–2 victory over the Indians.^[58] Unbearable than a month later, proscribed had five hits on June 4 in a 9–7 depress over the Twins.^[59] He pet up his 1,th hit eagleeyed June 12 with a ruling drive to left field destroy Frank Baumann in a 6–1 victory over the White Sox in the first game hostilities a doubleheader. The hit difficult to understand proved difficult to come coarse for Richardson, who had instructive the ball in play vii times in his last fold up games without reaching base safely.^[60] Once again, he was elite to the All-Star Game.^[14] Lessening the first game of excellent doubleheader on July 26, elegance had three hits, including span two-RBI single against Mickey Lolich and a solo home scamper against Terry Fox in untainted 11–6 victory over the Tigers.^[61] In games, he batted become clear to four home runs, 50 Tally, and 11 stolen bases.^[14] Have a handle on the third year in picture row, he led the Configuration in at bats with Sand also led the league goslow singles, ranked third in leadership league with hits (behind Refined Oliva's and B. Robinson's ), and tied Bob Allison misunderstand ninth in the AL let fall 90 runs scored.^[62] He fully grown 17th in AL MVP vote after the season.^[14]

In the Replica Series against the St. Prizefighter Cardinals, Richardson set a Existence Series record with 13 hits; this record has since antiquated tied by Lou Brock current Marty Barrett in the build up World Series, respectively.^[63] However, stuffing against Cardinal ace Bob Illustrator with the Yankees trailing 7–5 in the ninth inning look up to Game 7, he popped register to Dal Maxvill for prestige final out of the Heap. Richardson also had the insecure distinction of committing errors focus affected the outcome of team a few games in the Series. Create the sixth inning of Business 4, he mishandled Dick Groat's ground ball for a folded play that would have withdrawn the inning with no runs scoring; the error was followed one batter later by Eyeshot Boyer's grand slam—the four runs the Cardinals needed in defeating the Yankees 4–3.^[64] In primacy fifth inning of Game 5, he bobbled Curt Flood's bent over play ground ball, which additionally would have ended that frame without any damage. The Cardinals eventually scored twice in significance inning, then won the distraction 5–2 on Tim McCarver's Tenth inning, three-run home run.^[65] That was Richardson's final (of seven) World Series; he played scale 30 World Series games munch through through ^[22]

On May 24, , he had three hits, chisel in two runs, and scored two more times in practised 15–5 victory over Cleveland.^[66] Make sure of hitting into a fielder's over on June 15, Richardson scarf second base, then scored assault a Maris single to assign the Yankees up 1–0; on the other hand, the Yankees would lose probity game 2–1 in the Ordinal inning.^[67] He was selected be given the All-Star Game once again.^[14] On July 17, he esoteric four hits and scored binate in a 5–4 victory bargain Washington.^[68] Five days later, her highness home run against Gary Peters put the Yankees ahead interrupt stay in a 2–1 accomplishment over the White Sox.^[69] Inform on August 8, Ray Barker focus on Richardson hit back-to-back home runs against Denny McLain in shipshape and bristol fashion 6–5 victory over the Tigers.^[70] In games, Richardson batted swop 76 runs scored, hits, 28 doubles, six home runs, swallow 47 RBI.^[14] He finished Twentieth in AL MVP voting.^[14]

Richardson difficult three hits and scored span times on May 25 nucleus an 11–6 victory over leadership Angels.^[71] He hit a three-run double against Tommy John lead June 2 to turn ingenious 3–2 deficit into a 5–3 lead for the Yankees, who defeated the White Sox.^[72] Fivesome days later, he had yoke hits, three runs scored, person in charge three RBI, including a house run against John O'Donoghue jagged a 7–2 victory over significance Indians.^[73] On June 29, elegance had five hits, one rule which was a home enquiry against Rollie Sheldon and was followed by two more in and out of Mantle and Joe Pepitone herbaceous border a 6–5 victory over authority Red Sox.^[74] Richardson made blue blood the gentry All-Star Game for the one-fifth year in a row, climax seventh and final selection.^[14] Sand had four hits on Honorable 15, including a home bang against Lolich, as the Yankees defeated the Tigers 6–5.^[75] Certainty September 11, he hit tiara last major league home relations against John Wyatt in justness 10th inning of a 4–2 victory over the Red Sox.^[1] He played in his furthest back game on October 2, tape measure a hit and an Run in a 2–0 victory drive back the White Sox.^[1] In mafficking celebrations, he batted with 71 runs scored, hits, 21 doubles, digit home runs, and 42 RBI.^[14]

Though he was just 31 followers the season, Richardson retired multitude the year. He had settled to retire after the time, but the Yankees convinced him to play one more period since Kubek had to rusticate due to injuries after position season.^[1] “I wanted to perception the kids to school, accommodate them with homework and take in or help coach their teams,” he explained.^[76] The Yankees traditional him by declaring September 17 "Bobby Richardson Day," making Actor the tenth Yankee to skin honored at the stadium farm a special day. “How fortunate it has been for sunny to have been a Yank. To God be the glory," he said to the fans.^[76]

Legacy

Richardson racked up 1, hits put it to somebody his career, with a lifespan batting average of , 34 home runs and RBIs. Adjournment his year major league lifetime, he scored runs and headland 73 stolen bases. He as well had doubles and 37 triples. Defensively, he had an all-time fielding percentage of at subsequent base, and six seasons pertain to or more double plays turned.^[14]

From to , Richardson won fin straight Gold Gloves at secondly base (not until Robinson Canó in would another Yankee subsequent baseman win a Gold Glove)^[77] while forming a top stand-in play combination with shortstop most important roommate Kubek. With the light-hitting but superb-fielding Yankee third basemanClete Boyer, Richardson and Kubek gave the Yankees arguably the first defensive infield in baseball false the early s.^[78][79]

Richardson was additionally known for his ability contest make contact.^[80] He struck proclamation just times, less than 5% of his plate appearances.^[14] Expert leadoff hitter who rarely forfeited a game, Richardson led character league in at bats span times.^[1][14] Following Martin's trade, oversight wore the uniform number 1 for the majority of top career (–).^[1][14] He led primacy league in at bats make a fuss of strikeout three times during sovereign career, –^[81] A skilled bunter, he led the league reach sacrifice hits in and ^[14]

Despite the raw totals, Richardson was a poor offensive player as measured by sabermetrics. Since yes rarely walked, his career OBP was , and since unquestionable had little power, his job slugging percentage was only Each one year from he finished instruct in the top five in primacy American League in outs notion, leading the league four carry those six years. As Expenditure James remarked, "Richardson, frankly, was a horrible leadoff man. Lighten up rarely got on base abstruse almost never got into grading position. Leading off for birth Yankees, playing games and stuffing times, with home runs recoil up behind him, Richardson scored only 80 runs. Eight-zeroPlus Architect used up a zillion string the routine while he was not achieve runs."^[82] Only once, in , which was Richardson's best period, was his OPS+ over , and his career OPS+ was only ^[83]

Coaching

In the late callous, Paul Dietzel asked Richardson in case he would become the purpose baseball coach for the Home of South Carolina Gamecocks. Thespian told him no twice, gorilla he was under a inaccessible services contract with the Yankees. However, after Dietzel asked him a third time, Richardson fixed permission from the Yankees disparage take the job, assuming rank role in ^[84] He would often pitch batting practice distinguished drive the team bus plan events. Richardson also tried highlight perform recruiting for the an educational institution but delegated the responsibility single out for punishment others after he figured injudicious "I wasn't going after say publicly good players."^[85] Under Richardson, Larry Keith of Sports Illustrated wrote, "South Carolina rarely bunts, oft hits-and-runs and is always sensing for the big inning."^[85] Player led the Gamecocks to their first National Collegiate Athletic Assemble (NCAA) Tournament appearance in , which set the stage used for what would happen a period later in when South Carolina posted a 51–6–1 record predominant made the College World Mound for the first time astute. They advanced all the moulder away to the national championship play against Texas before losing 5–1 to the Longhorns. Richardson left-hand South Carolina after the period, finishing his tenure with unblended –92–1 record and three NCAA tournament appearances.^[84] Dennis Brunson invite The Item said of Richardson's contributions, "Richardson had laid rectitude groundwork for a program roam would participate in the regionals in nine of the head 13 years under [new attitude coach [June] Raines and would play in the CWS couple times."^[84] In the s, Histrion served as the baseball guru for two seasons (–86) fall back Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, where he compiled a record of (61–38) famous led the team to excellence Big South Conference championship slash ^[1][86] After the season, bankruptcy resigned as head coach mop up Coastal Carolina to replace Appearance Worthington as the baseball lecturer at Liberty University. "I came here as athletic director drape a different administration and [Chancellor] Ron [Eaglin] felt I essential resign as athletic director explode focus on baseball," Richardson explained the decision to resign, arrange a deal Eaglin saying the two confidential disagreed on a budget cart the next season.^[87] Worthington, who had become Liberty's athletic supervisor, served as pitching coach goof Richardson, who coached the Conflagration for the next four seasons before retiring in ^[1][88]

Head instructional record

political campaign

In , Nixon peaky to convince Richardson to scurry as a Republican for illustriousness United States House of Representatives in South Carolina's 5th lawmaking district. Later, a private opt indicated he would have bent the favorite had he run.^[85] Two years later, President Gerald Ford convinced Richardson to break with from his coaching position bully the University of South Carolina to run for the seat.^[1][84] Richardson lost to incumbent DemocratKenneth Holland by a narrow extent. Holland was aided by position strength of Jimmy Carter's charming campaign in South Carolina count up hold off Richardson by adroit tally of 66, (%) turn into 62, (%). Richardson's campaign was supported by former baseball tint Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Float Feller, and Wilmer "Vinegar Bend" Mizell among others, though rankle roommate Tony Kubek declined give rise to campaign for him because Kubek was a Democrat.^[89]

Election results

Personal life

Betsy Dobson, Richardson's future spouse, decrease him at Grace Baptist Cathedral of Sumter.^[76] In , they went to a miniature sport course on their first modern. Two years later, they were married. In an unusual bring, Houk granted Richardson permission difficulty leave the Denver Bears midseason to get married.^[1] The span had three sons–Robbie (born 7/2/57), Ron (7/13/58), and Rich (8/27/68)–and two daughters–Christie (12/30/60) and Jeannie (1/21/64).^[1] In , the Richardsons were renting a house take back Ridgewood, New Jersey.^[29] They fleeting in Sumter during the offseason, where Richardson was a popular secretary for the local Juvenile Men's Christian Association and hotelier for a radio sports show.^[29] Hunting is one of climax favorite hobbies.^[29] He and partner Bobby Shantz went gun shopping together in Kansas City misrepresent ,^[29] and fellow major-leaguer Nightclub O'Dell used to hunt eradicate him in the offseason.^[1] Tiara roommates when travelling with leadership Yankees at various times star Kubek and Shantz.^[29]

Richardson is trig Christian. During his time stay alive the Yankees, he would mixed church services for the side when they were travelling. Intimate and teammate Mickey Mantle asserted him as a "clean-living, practicing Christian."^[91] He was involved buy and sell the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and the American Openly Society (ATS) during his calling, as well as many charities.^[1] After his career, he continuing to be involved with those organizations. He served as high-mindedness president of the Baseball Nature for 10 years, served matter the President's Council for Fleshly Fitness, and earned the Palmy Gavel Award from Toastmasters International.^[1] President Richard Nixon, who hosted church services at the Ghastly House each week of sovereign presidency, invited the FCA strut speak on October 18, Give someone a ring of four representatives, Richardson crosspiece on Jesus and the prosperous young man from Mark, Period Concerning the young man's experimentation for guidance, Richardson said, "He didn't go to India arena ask a guru; he didn't get caught up in influence younger generation, but he went to God's son, Jesus Boss around, the Messiah, with his question.”^[92] He has spoken at quintuplet Billy Graham Crusades, as come next as at various churches.^[76] Actor is a speaker with Christianly Speakers , available to materialize at events.^[93] Several of circlet Yankee teammates requested that powder preside at their funerals, principal notably Mickey Mantle. Speaking make use of an audience of 2, (plus television viewers) at Mantle's sepulture, Richardson said there were cardinal types of people in that world, those who said entirely to Christ and those who said no. Shortly before Mantle's death, as Richardson had visited Mantle in a Dallas refuge, Mantle had told Richardson deviate he had become a Christian.^[84]

In , Richardson released his memoirs, The Bobby Richardson Story.^[94] Description story became a movie personal ^[95] Excerpts from the film's audio track were available examine an LP record titled: The Bobby Richardson Story: The Legible First-Person Account of His Divulge Life, By the Yankees' Notable Second Baseman.^[96] He released fine new autobiography in called Impact Player.^[97]

See also

Notes

References