Don Eaddy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Don Eaddy |
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| Pinch runner/Third baseman | |||
| Born: February 16, 1934 Grand Rapids, Michigan |
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| Died: July 9, 2008 (aged 74) Laconia, New Hampshire |
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| debut | |||
| April 24, 1959, for the Chicago Cubs | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 25, 1959, for the Chicago Cubs | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Games | 15 | ||
| At bats | 1 | ||
| Runs | 2 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Donald Johnson Eaddy (born February 16, 1934 – died July 9, 2008) was an American athlete. He was amazing because he played three major sports: baseball, football, and basketball. Don Eaddy even played Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs in 1959.
Before turning pro, he was a college star at the University of Michigan. He played baseball, football, and basketball there from 1951 to 1955. He was recognized as an All-American in baseball. He was also chosen as an All-Big Ten Conference player in basketball.
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Don Eaddy's Early Life
Don Eaddy was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1934. He went to Ottawa Hills High School. He was a talented athlete from a young age.
College Days at Michigan
Don Eaddy attended the University of Michigan from 1951 to 1955. He was a rare three-sport athlete during his time there. He competed in baseball, basketball, and football.
Playing Football
In football, Eaddy played as a halfback in 1951. He played in three games for Michigan that season. He completed one pass for 23 yards. He also carried the ball nine times.
He decided to stop playing football after his first year. Don Eaddy later said he was too small for the sport. He weighed only 160 pounds. He also wanted to focus more on baseball and basketball.
On the Basketball Court
Don Eaddy was a guard in basketball. He was chosen as an All-Big Ten Conference player. This means he was one of the best players in his college league.
Baseball Star
In baseball, Eaddy played third baseman. He was named an All-American in 1955. This is a huge honor for a college athlete. He helped the Michigan Wolverines baseball team win the NCAA baseball championship in 1952.
In 1955, he had a .353 batting average in Big Ten games. He also led the conference with 11 stolen bases in 15 games. Don Eaddy was the first African-American player to play in the College World Series.
After getting his first degree, Eaddy went back to Michigan. He studied for a master's degree in education.
Professional Baseball Career
After college, Don Eaddy signed to play professional baseball. He joined the Chicago Cubs organization. He believed he would have a better chance to reach the major leagues with them.
Starting in the Minor Leagues
Eaddy started his pro career in the minor leagues. In 1955, he played for the Burlington Bees. He had a .304 batting average in 32 games. He also hit three doubles and three triples.
In 1956, a Chicago Cubs coach named Ray Blades praised Eaddy. Blades said Eaddy was "destined to be a big leaguer." He thought Eaddy was already great at defense. The only question was his hitting. Eaddy then played for the Des Moines Bruins. He hit an amazing .390 in 41 games there.
Military Service Break
After his great start in 1956, Eaddy's baseball career paused. He was drafted into the United States Air Force. He missed most of the 1956 season. He also missed all of the 1957 and 1958 seasons.
Major League Debut
After his military service, Eaddy returned to the Chicago Cubs. He made his Major League Baseball debut on April 24, 1959. He entered the game as a pinch runner. A pinch runner is a player who runs the bases for another player.
He played in 15 games during the 1959 season. He was mostly used as a pinch runner. His only time playing a position in the major leagues was on August 1, 1959. He played third baseman that day. Even though he struck out in his only turn at bat, he scored three runs for the Cubs.
Continuing in Minor Leagues
Eaddy spent most of 1959 in the minor leagues. He played for the Lancaster Red Roses and the Fort Worth Cats. He continued to play minor league baseball for five more years. However, he did not return to the major leagues.
His best minor league season was in 1960 with Lancaster. He batted .304 and had a .425 on-base percentage. He also hit 17 doubles, eight triples, and eight home runs. He had 33 RBIs and nine stolen bases.
Playing in Cuba
Don Eaddy also played baseball in Cuba during the winter of 1960. He played for the Cienfuegos team. He led the Cuban league in bases on balls (walks). He helped Cienfuegos win the 1960 Caribbean Series title.
Later Life and Legacy
After he stopped playing baseball, Don Eaddy became a business owner. He owned several Burger King restaurants.
In 1996, he was honored by being inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame. Don Eaddy passed away from cancer on July 9, 2008. He was 74 years old and died in Laconia, New Hampshire.
