Bob Boyd (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bob Boyd |
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Topps baseball card – 1954 Series, #113
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| First baseman | |||
| Born: October 1, 1919 Potts Camp, Mississippi |
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| Died: September 7, 2004 (aged 84) Wichita, Kansas |
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| Professional debut | |||
| NgL: 1946, for the Memphis Red Sox | |||
| MLB: September 8, 1951, for the Chicago White Sox | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 24, 1961, for the Milwaukee Braves | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .293 | ||
| Home runs | 19 | ||
| Runs batted in | 175 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Robert Richard Boyd (born October 1, 1919 – died September 7, 2004) was an American first baseman in both the Negro leagues and Major League Baseball. He was known for his great hitting and defense.
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Bob Boyd's Baseball Journey
Bob Boyd was nicknamed "Rope" because of how hard he hit line drives. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, he began his baseball career.
Playing in the Negro Leagues
Boyd started playing professional baseball in the Negro American League with the Memphis Red Sox. He played for them from 1947 to 1949. He was an amazing hitter, with batting averages of .352, .369, and .371 in those years. He was also chosen as an All-Star three times.
Breaking Barriers in Major League Baseball
In 1950, Bob Boyd made history. He became the very first black player to sign with the Chicago White Sox. This was a big step forward in baseball. He made his first Major League Baseball (MLB) appearance on September 8, 1951.
Boyd played for the White Sox in 1951, 1953, and 1954. He was often a pinch-hitter, meaning he would bat in place of another player. He also played for minor league teams like the Houston Buffaloes.
Success with the Baltimore Orioles
In 1956, Boyd joined the Baltimore Orioles. He quickly became a key player. That year, he hit .311, which is a very good batting average.
His best season was in 1957. He finished fourth in the American League for batting average, hitting an impressive .318. Only baseball legends like Ted Williams and Mickey Mantle had higher averages that year. Bob Boyd was also the first regular player for the Orioles in the 20th century to hit over .300. The next year, in 1958, he hit .309 with seven Home runs.
Career Highlights and Legacy
Bob Boyd played his last MLB season in 1961. During his career, he had a total batting average of .293. He hit 19 home runs and had 175 RBI. He was also a great defensive player at first base, making very few errors.
One of his most famous moments happened on April 9, 1959. He turned the first opening day triple play in major league history! This is a very rare and exciting play in baseball.
Bob Boyd passed away at age 84 in Wichita, Kansas. He is honored in both the Negro League Hall of Fame and the National Baseball Congress Hall of Fame. His nephew, Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd, also became a Major League Baseball pitcher.
See also
- List of Negro league baseball players
- List of Negro league baseball players who played in Major League Baseball
