Enos Slaughter
| Birthdate | 4/27/1916 |
| Death Date | 8/12/2002 |
| Debut Year | 1938 |
| Year of Induction | 1985 |
| Teams | Athletics, Braves, Cardinals, Yankees |
| Position | Right Field |
After All Star appearances in 1941 & 1942, Enos Slaughter missed 1943-1945 due to WWII. When he returned, he made 8 straight All Star games.
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Enos earned a ring in 1941, served in the Navy for 3 years, then earned another ring
Enos earned a ring in 1941, served in the Navy for 3 years, then earned another ring
Enos Slaughter made his big league debut in 1938 and was an All Star by 1941. The following season he was again an All Star, leading the National League in hits, triples, and total bases while finishing second in MVP balloting. He capped off the campaign by earning the first of four World Series rings.
After the Fall Classic ended, Slaughter enlisted into the United States Air Force to join the war effort. Denied the chance to become a pilot because he was colorblind, Slaughter became a physical education instructor. He eventually gained the rank of sergeant.
In 1945, he toured the South Pacific with other big leaguers playing exhibition games in Tinian, Saipan, Guam, and Iwo Jima. He was discharged early the next year before the start of the 1946 baseball season.
When Slaughter returned to the Cardinals, he quickly regained his All Star form. His first year back Enos led the NL in runs batted and finishing third in MVP balloting. The Cardinals reached the World Series where they earned another ring for Slaughter.
By the time Enos Slaughter signed the above contract in 1948 he was already a four-time All Star and two-time World Champion. His career was far from over.
Slaughter went on to appear in six more Mid Summer Classics and earn two more World Series rings. Here he agrees to have his signature appear on souvenir baseballs with stamped autographs. Slaughter is set to receive one cent per ball sold.
The "Mad Dash" in the 1946 World Series remains Slaughter's most memorable moment
The "Mad Dash" in the 1946 World Series remains Slaughter's most memorable moment
Enos Slaughter’s crowning moment was his “Mad Dash” in the 1946 World Series. It came against the Boston Red Sox in the eighth inning of Game 7 with the score tied 3-3.
Slaughter led off with a single. With two out he was still on first, no closer to scoring. Up came Harry Walker. With a hit-and-run on, Walker lined a pitch to left-center. Slaughter rounded second, ignored the stop sign by third base coach Mike Gonzalez, and headed for home.
Boston shortstop Johnny Pesky caught the relay from the outfield. From there it’s difficult to separate fact from fiction. Some say Pesky was stunned by Slaughter’s decision and held the ball. Replays are inconclusive but appear not to support that.
What is certain is that Slaughter slid home ahead of Pesky’s to score what turned out to be the winning run.
A statue of Slaughter sliding across home plate on the play stands outside the ballpark in St. Louis. In 1999 The Sporting News ranked the play #10 on their list of baseball’s 25 greatest moments.
Shown here is a government postcard signed by Pesky. The other side of the postcard has a postmark of August 19, 1948 with Lynn, Massachusetts – the Boston suburb where Pesky’s wife Ruth was raised – as the location.
Pesky’s Red Sox played host to Connie Mack’s Philadelphia Athletics on this day, before 18,846 at Fenway Park. Coming into the game, the teams were tied for second place three games in back of the eventual world champion Cleveland Indians. Though the Sox lost 10-3, Pesky did his part, reaching base four times after getting hit by a pitch, walking once, and lacing a pair of singles. He also scored two of Boston’s three runs.
In the 1953 exhibition tour in Japan Slaughter played for Lopat's Nomads
In the 1953 exhibition tour in Japan Slaughter played for Lopat's Nomads
Lefty O’Doul is often referred to as the Father of Japanese Baseball. He first went to the country as part of a baseball exhibition tour in 1931. O’Doul returned every year through 1937. The exhibitions stopped as international tension that would eventually lead to the Second World War increased.
After the War, O’Doul arranged more goodwill tours as manager of the San Francisco Seals in 1949, ’50, and ’51.
In the 1953 offseason a team led by Yankee pitcher Eddie Lopat arrived in Japan amid great fanfare. Calling themselves Lopat’s Nomads, the team included Enos Slaughter, Yogi Berra, Eddie Mathews, Nellie Fox, Robin Roberts, Bob Lemon, Harvey Kuenn, Billy Martin, Jackie Jensen on its 15-man roster.
In the collection is the passport Slaughter used as part of a baseball exhibition team that traveled to Japan.
Slaughter's team played games in Tokyo, Haneda, Manilla, and Okinawa
Slaughter's team played games in Tokyo, Haneda, Manilla, and Okinawa
This page features the Japanese entrance via dated October 16, 1956. Enos Slaughter and the Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in the World Series just 8 days earlier.
The visa is good for one year from the issue date. The page shows writing in Japanese. The ensuing pages (not shown) have additional markings as Slaughter and the team entered and left Haneda, Manilla, and Okinawa.
Five months after the tour of Japan, Slaughter was traded to Lopat's Yankees
Five months after the tour of Japan, Slaughter was traded to Lopat's Yankees
This page of the passport has a picture of the 37-year old Enos Slaughter who just completed 13th big league season. It was also his 10th and final All Star season.
Just five months after the trip to Japan, Slaughter was traded to the Yankees where he joined Japan travel mates Ed Lopat and Yogi Berra. Leaving the only team he had ever known. Initially Slaughter was heartbroken. Three American League pennants and two World Series championships in New York certainly softened the blow.
Slaughter went on to play in the big leagues past his 43rd birthday. In addition to the Cardinals and Yankees, Slaughter suited up for the Kansas City Athletics and the Milwaukee Braves.
At the time of his retirement, Slaughter's 1,304 RBI ranked 32nd all time
At the time of his retirement, Slaughter's 1,304 RBI ranked 32nd all time
In 1942 Enos Slaughter led the league in hits and triples while scoring 100 runs and driving in 98 more. Then at 26 years old he joined the war effort and missed three straight years.
Upon his return, Slaughter posted career bests in home runs (18) and RBI (130) while hitting an even .300. Slaughter was a solid run producer. From 1939 through 1953 he averaged 91 RBI per season that he played.
When he retired, Slaughter’s 1,304 RBI was bested by only 31 players in big league history. Since then nearly 100 men have passed his total. Among them is fellow Cooperstown man Ted Simmons.
Playing for the Milwaukee Brewers in his 18th season, Simmons hit a 2-run homer off of Neal Heaton to tie then pass Slaughter’s total.
Shown here is the lineup card signed by Brewers manager George Bamberger. Notice Simmons in the fourth spot as the designated hitter.
Simmons’ teammate Cecil Cooper also had a memorable day. The first baseman went 2-for-3 in the game.
The first baseman went 2-for-3 in the game, the first of a doubleheader. Overall n the twin bill, Cooper scored three times on four hits including the 218th homer of his career.
His four RBI on the day brought his career total to 992, pushing him ahead of Hall of Famers Deacon White (988), Ernie Lombardi (990), and Frank “Home Run” Baker (991).
Ten-time All Star and four-time World Series champ Slaughter is a lifetime .300 hitter
Ten-time All Star and four-time World Series champ Slaughter is a lifetime .300 hitter
Enos Slaughter left the game with many awards and accolades. After leaving baseball, Slaughter maintain contact with fans who reached out to him through the mail.
Slaughter replied to an autograph request to his home with the index cards above. He writes, “Played 19 years, .300 lifetime average, 10 All Star Games, five World Series, 4 World Champions”.
The card below that is dated 9-6-91 and adorns Slaughter’s signature. before Slaughter has added “Best wishes” and his signature. Enos “Country” Slaughter also finished his big league career with 2,383 career hits.
Pete Rose patterned himself after Enos Slaughter by running hard to first after a walk
Pete Rose patterned himself after Enos Slaughter by running hard to first after a walk
Known for his constant hustle, Enos Slaughter served as a role model for Pete Rose‘s style of play. As a Reds rookie Rose recalled a childhood memory of Slaughter, “I used to watch the Reds games on television. One day, the Reds were playing the Cardinals. Slaughter drew a walk and ran hard to first base. I decided right then and there that was what I was going to do as long as I played ball.”
It was Slaughter who put the hustle in Charlie Hustle.
Shown here is telegram to Rose. The back story is quite interesting. On August 16, 1984 the Reds reacquired Rose from the Montreal Expos. They immediately installed him as player/manager.
This telegram was sent the very next day on the 17th. It’s from then-National League President Chub Feeney congratulating Rose on being named to the position.
Rose penned his autograph along the right side of the telegram. Interestingly, Feeney’s successor will be Bart Giamatti, the man who handed Rose his lifetime ban.
Like many of the hit king’s personal mementos, this one was put up for sale by Rose. Today it resides in the CooperstownExpert.com collection.
Slaughter was inducted into the Hall on 728/85 with Arky Vaughan, Lou Brock, and Hoyt Wilhelm
Slaughter was inducted into the Hall on 728/85 with Arky Vaughan, Lou Brock, and Hoyt Wilhelm
Baseball’s ultimate honor is induction into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. After a 19-year big league career that included 10 All Star selections and an even .300 lifetime average, Enos Slaughter earned the distinction.
The Veterans Committee elected Slaughter along with Pirates shortstop and 9-time All Star Arky Vaughan. They joined two writers’ selections. Stolen base king Lou Brock who tallied 3,023 hits was a first-ballot selection while reliever extraordinaire Hoyt Wilhelm got in after 8 years on the ballot.
The quartet was inducted on hot Sunday afternoon on July 28, 1985. Shown here is an invitation to the festivities. The signature of knuckleballer Wilhelm appears at the bottom.
