Sammy Taylor (baseball): Difference between revisions

Sammy Taylor
Sammy Taylor
	Taylor with the New York Mets in 1962
	Catcher
	Born: February 27, 1933; Woodruff, South Carolina, U.S.
	Died: October 8, 2019 (aged 86); Woodruff, South Carolina, U.S.
	Batted: Left Threw: Right
MLB debut
	April 20, 1958, for the Chicago Cubs
Last MLB appearance
	August 6, 1963, for the Cleveland Indians
MLB statistics
Batting average	.245
Home runs	33
Runs batted in	147
	Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
	Chicago Cubs (1958–1962); New York Mets (1962–1963); Cincinnati Reds (1963); Cleveland Indians (1963);

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Samuel Douglas Taylor (February 27, 1933 – October 8, 2019) was an American professional baseball player, a Major League catcher who appeared in 473 games over six seasons from 1958 to 1963 for the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians.^[1] Born in Woodruff, South Carolina, he left-handed-batting Taylor was listed as 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall and 185 pounds (84 kg).

After graduating from Woodruff High School, Taylor played one season (1950) in the Class D North Carolina State League. Then, he served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict.^[2]

Baseball career

Chicago Cubs

Signed by the Milwaukee Braves as a 23-year-old free agent in 1956, Taylor spent two full years in the Braves' farm system, then was traded with pitcher Taylor Phillips to the Cubs for outfielder Eddie Haas and pitchers Don Kaiser and Bob Rush on December 5, 1957.^[1] He made his big league debut on April 20, 1958 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Appearing as a pinch hitter for Gene Fodge, he drew a walk in his first plate appearance.^[3] Overall, Taylor appeared in 96 games in 1958, hitting .259 with 78 hits, six home runs and 36 RBI.

In 110 games in 1959, Taylor hit .269 with 13 home runs and 43 runs batted in in 110 games. His 13 intentional walks were the fourth most that season. Taylor was involved in a rather peculiar situation in a game on June 30 of that year, between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs. Stan Musial was at the plate, with a count of 3–1. Pitcher Bob Anderson's next pitch was errant, evading Taylor and rolling all the way to the backstop. Umpire Vic Delmore called ball four, however Anderson and Taylor contended that Musial foul tipped the ball. Because the ball was still in play, and because Delmore was embroiled in an argument with the catcher and pitcher, Musial took it upon himself to try for second base. Seeing that Musial was trying for second, Alvin Dark ran to the backstop to retrieve the ball. The ball wound up in the hands of field announcer Pat Pieper, but Dark ended up getting it back anyway. Absentmindedly, however, Delmore pulled out a new ball and gave it to Taylor. Anderson finally noticed that Musial was trying for second, took the new ball, and threw it to second baseman Tony Taylor. To Anderson's disappointment, the ball flew over Tony Taylor's head into the outfield. Dark, at the same time that Anderson threw the new ball, threw the original ball to shortstop Ernie Banks. Musial, though, did not see Dark's throw and only noticed Anderson's ball fly over the second baseman's head, so he tried to go to third base. On his way there, he was tagged by Banks, and after a delay he was ruled out.^[4]

Taylor slumped in 1960, hitting only .207 in 150 at-bats. He lost his starting catching role that year and played in only 74 games.

Taylor was the team's second most used catcher in 1961, behind Dick Bertell.^[5] In 1961, he hit .238 with eight home runs and 23 RBI in 235 at-bats (89 games).

New York Mets

Taylor began the 1962 season with the Cubs, hitting .133 in 15 at-bats with them. On April 26, he was traded to the Mets for outfielder Bobby Gene Smith. In 68 games with the Mets, he hit .222 with three home runs and 20 RBI. Overall, he hit .214 in 173 at-bats that season.

In 1963—his final season—Taylor played for three different teams. He began the year with the Mets and hit .257 in 41 at-bats with them.

Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians

On July 1, he was traded with Charlie Neal to the Reds for another catcher, Jesse Gonder. He played in three games for the Reds, collecting no hits in six at-bats. On August 1, he was traded to the Indians for outfielder/catcher Gene Green. He amassed three hits in ten at-bats for the Indians. Overall, he hit .235 with no home runs and seven RBI in 51 at-bats. He played his final game on August 6.

Overall, Taylor played six years in the majors, hitting .245 with 309 hits, 47 doubles, nine triples, 33 home runs and 147 RBI in 473 games.^[1]

Sammy Taylor died October 8, 2019, aged 86.^[2]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Sammy Taylor Stats". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
^ ^a ^b "Sammy Taylor Obituary". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. October 10, 2019. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
^ "St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs Box Score, April 20, 1958". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. April 20, 1958. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
^ Nash, Bruce; Zullo, Allan (1989). Baseball Hall of Shame. Simon and Schuster. p. 46. ISBN 0-671-68766-2.
^ "1961 Chicago Cubs Statistics". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. Retrieved October 11, 2019.

External links

Career statistics from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet

[B-R-1] "Sammy Taylor Stats". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. Retrieved October 11, 2019.

[obit-2] "Sammy Taylor Obituary". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. October 10, 2019. Retrieved October 11, 2019.

[3] "St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs Box Score, April 20, 1958". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. April 20, 1958. Retrieved October 11, 2019.

[4] Nash, Bruce; Zullo, Allan (1989). Baseball Hall of Shame. Simon and Schuster. p. 46. ISBN 0-671-68766-2.

[5] "1961 Chicago Cubs Statistics". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. Retrieved October 11, 2019.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|American baseball player (1933–2019)}}
-{{Other people2|Sammy Taylor (disambiguation){{!}}Sammy Taylor}}
+{{other people||Sammy Taylor (disambiguation){{!}}Sammy Taylor}}
+{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2019}}
 {{Infobox baseball biography
 |name=Sammy Taylor
+|image=Sammy Taylor (baseball).jpg
+|caption=Taylor with the [[New York Mets]] in 1962
+|width=200
 |position=[[Catcher]]
 |bats=Left
 |throws=Right
-|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1933|2|27}}
+|birth_date={{Birth date|1933|2|27}}
-|birth_place=[[Woodruff, South Carolina]]
+|birth_place=[[Woodruff, South Carolina]], U.S.
+|death_date={{Death date and age|2019|10|8|1933|2|27}}
+|death_place=Woodruff, South Carolina, U.S.
 |debutleague = MLB
 |debutdate=April 20
-|debutyear={{By|1958}}
+|debutyear=1958
-|debutteam=[[Chicago Cubs]]
+|debutteam=Chicago Cubs
 |finalleague = MLB
 |finaldate=August 6
-|finalyear={{By|1963}}
+|finalyear=1963
-|finalteam=[[Cleveland Indians]]
+|finalteam=Cleveland Indians
 |statleague = MLB
-|stat1label=Average
+|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
 |stat1value=.245
-|stat2label=Home Runs
+|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
 |stat2value=33
-|stat3label=RBI
+|stat3label=[[Runs batted in]]
 |stat3value=147
 |teams=
-*[[Chicago Cubs]] (1958–1962)
+*[[Chicago Cubs]] ({{mlby|1958}}–{{mlby|1962}})
-*[[New York Mets]] (1962–1963)
+*[[New York Mets]] ({{mlby|1962}}–{{mlby|1963}})
-*[[Cincinnati Reds]] (1963)
+*[[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{mlby|1963}})
-*[[Cleveland Indians]] (1963)
+*[[Cleveland Indians]] ({{mlby|1963}})
 |highlights=
 }}
-'''Samuel Douglas Taylor''' (born February 27, 1933 in [[Woodruff, South Carolina]]) is a retired [[Americans|American]] [[professional baseball]] [[baseball player|plyer]], a former [[Major League Baseball|Major League]] catcher who appeared in 473 [[games played]] over six seasons from [[1958 in baseball|1958]] to [[1963 in baseball|1963]] for the [[Chicago Cubs]], [[New York Mets]], [[Cincinnati Reds]] and [[Cleveland Indians]].<ref name="B-R">[http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/taylosa02.shtml Baseball Reference]</ref> The [[left-handed]]-batting Taylor was listed as {{convert|6|ft|2|in}} tall and {{convert|185|lb}}.
+'''Samuel Douglas Taylor''' (February 27, 1933 – October 8, 2019) was an [[Americans|American]] [[professional baseball]] [[baseball player|player]], a [[Major League Baseball|Major League]] catcher who appeared in 473 games over six seasons from 1958 to 1963 for the [[Chicago Cubs]], [[New York Mets]], [[Cincinnati Reds]] and [[Cleveland Indians]].<ref name="B-R">{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/taylosa02.shtml |title=Sammy Taylor Stats |website=baseball-reference.com |publisher=sports-reference.com |access-date=October 11, 2019}}</ref> Born in [[Woodruff, South Carolina]], he [[left-handed]]-batting Taylor was listed as {{convert|6|ft|2|in}} tall and {{convert|185|lb}}.
+After graduating from [[Woodruff High School (South Carolina)|Woodruff High School]], Taylor played one season (1950) in the Class D [[North Carolina State League]]. Then, he served in the [[United States Navy]] during the [[Korean Conflict]].<ref name="obit"/>
-Signed by the [[Milwaukee Braves]] in [[1956 in baseball|1956]], Taylor was traded with [[Taylor Phillips]] to the Cubs for [[Eddie Haas]], [[Don Kaiser]] and [[Bob Rush (baseball)|Bob Rush]] on December 5, [[1957 in baseball|1957]].<ref name="B-R"/> He made his big league debut on April 20, [[1958 in baseball|1958]] against the [[St. Louis Cardinals]]. Appearing as a pinch hitter for [[Gene Fodge]], he drew a walk in his first plate appearance.<ref>[http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN195804200.shtml Debut game log]</ref> Overall, Taylor appeared in 96 games in 1958, hitting .259 with 78 hits, six home runs and 36 RBI.
+==Baseball career==
-In 110 games in [[1959 in baseball|1959]], Taylor hit .269 with 13 [[home runs]] and 43 [[runs batted in]] in 110 games. His 13 intentional walks were the fourth most that season. Taylor was involved in a rather peculiar situation in a game on June 30 of that year, between the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] and [[Chicago Cubs]]. [[Stan Musial]] was at the plate, with a count of 3–1. Pitcher [[Bob Anderson (baseball)|Bob Anderson]]'s next pitch was errant, evading Taylor and rolling all the way to the backstop. Umpire [[Vic Delmore]] called ball four, however Anderson and Taylor contended that Musial [[foul tip]]ped the ball. Because the ball was still in play, and because Delmore was embroiled in an argument with the catcher and pitcher, Musial took it upon himself to try for second base. Seeing that Musial was trying for second, [[Alvin Dark]] ran to the backstop to retrieve the ball. The ball wound up in the hands of field announcer [[Pat Pieper]], but Dark ended up getting it back anyway. Absentmindedly, however, Delmore pulled out a new ball and gave it to Taylor. Anderson finally noticed that Musial was trying for second, took the new ball, and threw it to second baseman [[Tony Taylor (baseball)|Tony Taylor]]. To Anderson's disappointment, the ball flew over Tony Taylor's head into the outfield. Dark, at the same time that Anderson threw the new ball, threw the original ball to shortstop [[Ernie Banks]]. Musial, though, did not see Dark's throw and only noticed Anderson's ball fly over the second baseman's head, so he tried to go to third base. On his way there, he was tagged by Banks, and after a delay he was ruled out.<ref>{{cite book |title=Baseball Hall of Shame |last=Nash |first=Bruce |authorlink= |author2=Zullo, Allan  |year=1989 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |location= |isbn=0-671-68766-2 |page=46 |pages= |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=QtX4CreRGNEC&pg=PT41&dq=%22Vic+Delmore%22#PPT42,M1 |accessdate=?}}</ref>
+===Chicago Cubs===
+Signed by the [[Milwaukee Braves]] as a 23-year-old free agent in 1956, Taylor spent two full years in the Braves' [[farm system]], then was traded with pitcher [[Taylor Phillips]] to the Cubs for outfielder [[Eddie Haas]] and pitchers [[Don Kaiser]] and [[Bob Rush (baseball)|Bob Rush]] on December 5, 1957.<ref name="B-R"/> He made his big league debut on April 20, 1958 against the [[St. Louis Cardinals]]. Appearing as a pinch hitter for [[Gene Fodge]], he drew a walk in his first plate appearance.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN195804200.shtml |title=St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs Box Score, April 20, 1958 |date=April 20, 1958 |website=baseball-reference.com |publisher=sports-reference.com |access-date=October 11, 2019}}</ref> Overall, Taylor appeared in 96 games in 1958, hitting .259 with 78 hits, six home runs and 36 RBI.
+In 110 games in 1959, Taylor hit .269 with 13 [[home runs]] and 43 [[runs batted in]] in 110 games. His 13 intentional walks were the fourth most that season. Taylor was involved in a rather peculiar situation in a game on June 30 of that year, between the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] and [[Chicago Cubs]]. [[Stan Musial]] was at the plate, with a count of 3–1. Pitcher [[Bob Anderson (baseball)|Bob Anderson]]'s next pitch was errant, evading Taylor and rolling all the way to the backstop. Umpire [[Vic Delmore]] called ball four, however Anderson and Taylor contended that Musial [[foul tip]]ped the ball. Because the ball was still in play, and because Delmore was embroiled in an argument with the catcher and pitcher, Musial took it upon himself to try for second base. Seeing that Musial was trying for second, [[Alvin Dark]] ran to the backstop to retrieve the ball. The ball wound up in the hands of field announcer [[Pat Pieper]], but Dark ended up getting it back anyway. Absentmindedly, however, Delmore pulled out a new ball and gave it to Taylor. Anderson finally noticed that Musial was trying for second, took the new ball, and threw it to second baseman [[Tony Taylor (baseball)|Tony Taylor]]. To Anderson's disappointment, the ball flew over Tony Taylor's head into the outfield. Dark, at the same time that Anderson threw the new ball, threw the original ball to shortstop [[Ernie Banks]]. Musial, though, did not see Dark's throw and only noticed Anderson's ball fly over the second baseman's head, so he tried to go to third base. On his way there, he was tagged by Banks, and after a delay he was ruled out.<ref>{{cite book |title=Baseball Hall of Shame |last=Nash |first=Bruce |author2=Zullo, Allan  |year=1989 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=0-671-68766-2 |page=46 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QtX4CreRGNEC&q=%22Vic+Delmore%22&pg=PT41}}</ref>
-Taylor slumped in [[1960 in baseball|1960]], hitting only .207 in 150 at-bats. He lost his starting catching role that year and played in only 74 games.
+Taylor slumped in 1960, hitting only .207 in 150 at-bats. He lost his starting catching role that year and played in only 74 games.
-He was the team's second most used catcher in [[1961 in baseball|1961]], behind [[Dick Bertell]].<ref>[http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1961.shtml 1961 team roster]</ref> In 1961, he hit .238 with eight home runs and 23 RBI in 235 at-bats (89 games).
+Taylor was the team's second most used catcher in 1961, behind [[Dick Bertell]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1961.shtml |title=1961 Chicago Cubs Statistics |website=baseball-reference.com |publisher=sports-reference.com |access-date=October 11, 2019}}</ref> In 1961, he hit .238 with eight home runs and 23 RBI in 235 at-bats (89 games).
-He began the [[1962 in baseball|1962]] season with the Cubs, hitting .133 in 15 at-bats with them. On April 26, he was traded to the Mets for [[Bobby Smith (baseball)|Bob Smith]]. In 68 games with the Mets, he hit .222 with three home runs and 20 RBI. Overall, he hit .214 in 173 at-bats that season.
+===New York Mets===
-In [[1963 in baseball|1963]] - his final season - Taylor played for three different teams. He began the year with the Mets and hit .257 in 41 at-bats with them. On July 1, he was traded with [[Charlie Neal]] to the Reds for another catcher, [[Jesse Gonder]]. He played in three games for the Reds, collecting no hits in six at-bats. On August 1, he was traded to the Indians for [[Gene Green (baseball)|Gene Green]]. He collected three hits in 10 at-bats for the Indians. Overall, he hit .235 with no home runs and seven RBI in 51 at-bats. He played his final game on August 6.
+Taylor began the 1962 season with the Cubs, hitting .133 in 15 at-bats with them. On April 26, he was traded to the Mets for outfielder [[Bobby Smith (baseball)|Bobby Gene Smith]]. In 68 games with the Mets, he hit .222 with three home runs and 20 RBI. Overall, he hit .214 in 173 at-bats that season.
+In 1963—his final season—Taylor played for three different teams. He began the year with the Mets and hit .257 in 41 at-bats with them.
+===Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians===
+On July 1, he was traded with [[Charlie Neal]] to the Reds for another catcher, [[Jesse Gonder]]. He played in three games for the Reds, collecting no hits in six at-bats. On August 1, he was traded to the Indians for outfielder/catcher [[Gene Green (baseball)|Gene Green]]. He amassed three hits in ten at-bats for the Indians. Overall, he hit .235 with no home runs and seven RBI in 51 at-bats. He played his final game on August 6.
 Overall, Taylor played six years in the majors, hitting .245 with 309 [[hit (baseball)|hits]], 47 [[double (baseball)|doubles]], nine [[triple (baseball)|triples]], 33 home runs and 147 RBI in 473 games.<ref name="B-R"/>
+Sammy Taylor died October 8, 2019, aged 86.<ref name=obit>{{Cite web |url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/spartanburg/obituary.aspx?n=sammy-taylor&pid=194115227&fhid=4656 |title=Sammy Taylor Obituary |newspaper=Spartanburg Herald-Journal |date=October 10, 2019 |access-date=October 11, 2019}}</ref>
 ==References==
@@ Line 50: / Line 67: @@
 ==External links==
-{{baseballstats|br=t/taylosa02|brm=taylor001sam}}
+{{Baseballstats |mlb=123155 |espn= |br=t/taylosa02 |fangraphs= |brm=taylor001sam |retro=Ptayls102}}
-{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
-| NAME              = Taylor, Sammy
-| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
-| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American baseball player
-| DATE OF BIRTH     = February 27, 1933
-| PLACE OF BIRTH    = Woodruff, South Carolina
-| DATE OF DEATH     =
-| PLACE OF DEATH    =
-}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Taylor, Sammy}}
 [[Category:1933 births]]
-[[Category:Living people]]
+[[Category:2019 deaths]]
-[[Category:Atlanta Crackers players]]
+[[Category:Baseball players from Spartanburg County, South Carolina]]
-[[Category:Baseball players from South Carolina]]
 [[Category:Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players]]
 [[Category:Chicago Cubs players]]
 [[Category:Cincinnati Reds players]]
 [[Category:Cleveland Indians players]]
-[[Category:Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs players]]
+[[Category:Dallas–Fort Worth Spurs players]]
 [[Category:High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms players]]
 [[Category:Jacksonville Suns players]]
 [[Category:Major League Baseball catchers]]
 [[Category:New York Mets players]]
-[[Category:People from Spartanburg County, South Carolina]]
+[[Category:People from Woodruff, South Carolina]]
 [[Category:San Diego Padres (minor league) players]]
 [[Category:Topeka Hawks players]]
+[[Category:United States Navy personnel of the Korean War]]