VINTAGE BASEBALL MEMORABILIA Vintage Baseball Memorabilia Dick Wakefield Position: Leftfielder Bats: Left • Throws: Right 6-4, 210lb (193cm, 95kg) Born: May 6, 1921 in Chicago, IL us Died: August 26, 1985 in Redford, MI Buried: Resthaven Memory Gardens, Avon, OH School: University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI) Debut: June 26, 1941 (9,074th in major league history) vs. PHA 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB Last Game: May 6, 1952 vs. STL 1 AB,…
A .300 hitter as a rookie for the Tigers in 1943, Dick Wakefield finishes Navy air training and then is released from the service pending assignment. He rejoins the Tigers and will hit .355 the rest of the season, pushing Detroit near the flag despite the loss of 12 of its first 13 home games. In the first week after the All-Star Game, Wakefield homers twice, and goes 9 for 24.
1941 – Dick Wakefield becomes baseball’s first “bonus baby” when he signs with the Tigers for $52,000 and a new car. The University of Michigan standout will hit .143 in seven at-bat this season but will eventually turn into a solid outfielder.
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