Clete Boyer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clete Boyer |
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Boyer, circa 1964–66
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| Third baseman | |||
| Born: February 9, 1937 Cassville, Missouri, U.S. |
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| Died: June 4, 2007 (aged 70) Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S. |
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| Professional debut | |||
| MLB: June 5, 1955, for the Kansas City Athletics | |||
| NPB: April 11, 1972, for the Taiyo Whales | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| MLB: May 23, 1971, for the Atlanta Braves | |||
| NPB: October 16, 1975, for the Taiyo Whales | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .242 | ||
| Home runs | 162 | ||
| Runs batted in | 654 | ||
| NPB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .257 | ||
| Home runs | 71 | ||
| Runs batted in | 218 | ||
| Teams | |||
As player
As coach
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Cletis Leroy "Clete" Boyer (February 9, 1937 – June 4, 2007) was an American professional baseball player. He was mainly a third baseman. Clete played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Athletics, New York Yankees, and Atlanta Braves. He also played four seasons in Japan for the Taiyō Whales.
During his 16 years in MLB, Boyer hit 162 home runs. He also had 654 runs batted in (RBI). His batting average was .242 in 1,725 games. Clete was known for his amazing defense at third base.
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Early Life and Family
Clete Boyer was born in Cassville, Missouri. He grew up in Alba, Missouri. He was one of fourteen children in his family. All seven boys in the family became professional baseball players.
Two of his older brothers also played in the major leagues. Cloyd Boyer was a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. Ken Boyer was an All-Star third baseman for the Cardinals.
Starting His Baseball Journey
The New York Yankees first noticed Clete Boyer when he was still in high school. Due to special rules about signing young players, the Yankees couldn't sign him right away. So, they arranged for the Kansas City Athletics to sign him. The plan was for the Yankees to get him later.
In 1955, Clete joined the major leagues at just 18 years old. He played as a utility infielder for the Kansas City Athletics. He played 124 games for them from 1955 to 1957.
In 1957, the Athletics traded Boyer to the Yankees. This completed the original plan to make him a Yankee.
Playing for the New York Yankees
After joining the Yankees, Boyer spent some time in their minor league system. He was called up to the main team in 1959. In 1960, he became the Yankees' regular third baseman. He showed great defense and helped the Yankees win the pennant.
However, the Yankees lost the 1960 World Series to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clete didn't play much in that series at first. After the series, Ralph Houk became the new Yankees manager. Houk believed in Boyer's defensive skills. He gave Clete the chance to play every day.
The 1961 Yankees team was one of the best ever. It included stars like Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, and Roger Maris. They defeated the Cincinnati Reds in the 1961 World Series. Boyer's batting average was not high, but his defense was outstanding. He made many amazing plays at third base.
In 1962, Boyer's hitting improved. He had career bests with a .272 batting average, 18 home runs, and 68 RBIs. The Yankees won the 1962 World Series against the San Francisco Giants. In Game One, Boyer hit a home run that helped the Yankees win.
In 1963, the Yankees won another pennant. But they lost the 1963 World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Dodger pitcher Sandy Koufax was very tough to hit.
From 1961 to 1963, Boyer led all American League (AL) third basemen in putouts, assists, and double plays. Despite this, Brooks Robinson won the Gold Glove Award each year. Many thought Boyer deserved one too.
After the 1963 season, Yogi Berra became the Yankees manager. In 1964, the Yankees won their fifth straight pennant. They faced the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1964 World Series. Clete played against his brother Ken, who was on the Cardinals. They became the first brothers to hit home runs for opposing teams in a World Series game. The Yankees lost the series in seven games.
In 1965, the Yankees had a tough season. They finished in sixth place, their lowest in 40 years. In 1966, the Yankees finished last. After that season, Boyer was traded to the Atlanta Braves.
During the off-season in 1964, Boyer appeared on the TV show To Tell the Truth.
After the Yankees
In 1967, Boyer had his best offensive season. He hit 26 home runs and had 96 RBIs for the Atlanta Braves. He played alongside great hitters like Hank Aaron. Boyer continued to be an excellent defensive player. He led National League (NL) third basemen in fielding in 1967 and 1969.
In 1969, Clete finally won the Gold Glove Award. His brother Ken had won it five times before. This made them the first brothers to both win a Gold Glove. The Braves won their division title that year. However, they lost in the playoffs to the New York Mets.
Boyer continued to play well at third base. He left the Braves in 1971 after some disagreements with the team's management.
After leaving MLB, Boyer played in Japan for the Taiyō Whales from 1972 to 1975. His roommate there was the famous Japanese slugger Sadaharu Oh. After retiring as a player, Clete coached for the Whales in 1976. He then returned to MLB as a third-base coach for the Yankees and Oakland Athletics. He often coached with his former teammate Billy Martin.
His Legacy
Clete Boyer's teammates greatly respected his defensive skills. Bobby Richardson, a former teammate, said that Clete was "as good as anyone who ever played the game" at third base. Tony Kubek, another friend, thought Clete was as good as other famous third basemen like Graig Nettles and Mike Schmidt.
In 2000, Boyer opened a restaurant in Cooperstown, New York. It was called "Clete Boyer's Hamburger Hall of Fame." He often chatted with visitors and signed autographs there.
Death
Clete Boyer passed away on June 4, 2007. He died in an Atlanta hospital due to complications from a brain hemorrhage. His brother Ken Boyer had passed away earlier in 1982. Clete's family placed his ashes in a New York Yankees urn.
See also
- List of baseball players who went directly to Major League Baseball
Images for kids
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Boyer, circa 1964–66
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Boyer in 1962
