Lou Boudreau
| Birthdate | 7/17/1917 |
| Death Date | 8/10/2001 |
| Debut Year | 1938 |
| Year of Induction | 1970 |
| Teams | Athletics, Cubs, Indians, Red Sox |
| Positions | Manager, Shortstop |
The last time the Cleveland Indians won the World Series was in 1948; Lou Boudreau was their player-manager and the AL’s Most Valuable Player.
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Lou Boudreau was the 1948 MVP when he led the Tribe to a World Series title
Lou Boudreau was the 1948 MVP when he led the Tribe to a World Series title
Lou Boudreau broke into the big leagues with the Indians in 1938 and was a regular two seasons later. In his first season as an everyday player, the shortstop hit .295, knocked in 101 runs, and was named to the All Star team.
Cleveland added managerial duties to Boudreau’s plate in 1942. The 1944 American League batting champ, Boudreau led the junior circuit in doubles in 1941, ’44, and ’47. In 1946 he set the still-standing Major League record when he doubled in four consecutive at bats on July 14.
Every year of the 1940s Boudreau received votes in MVP balloting. During the 10-year run he had eight top-10 finishes and two top-3 finishes.
Boudreau’s shining season as both a player and as a manager came in 1948. He generated career highs in hits (199), homers (18), RBI (106), batting average (.355), total bases (299) on-base percentage (.453), and slugging percentage (.534). His 10.4 WAR was by far the best of his career. In MVP voting he received 22 or the 24 first place votes with Joe DiMaggio getting the other two.
As a manager he pushed all the right buttons. Cleveland finished with 97 wins and beat the Braves in the World Series.
Four months after earning his ring, Boudreau signed this government postcard on February 17, 1949. The ’49 season proved to be Boudreau’s last as an everyday player.
He appeared in all but 20 of the Indians’ games and posted a WAR of 3.1. Though he did receive MVP votes, he finished a distant 14th behind Boston’s Ted Williams.
In 1950 Boudreau hit .269 in 81 games. The Indians released him a month after the season ended, ending his time in Cleveland. He was out of a job for all of six days before Boston signed him to a contract. His 15-year American League playing career concluded with the Red Sox in 1952.
Boudreau was named the Boston skipper for the ’52 season and remained at the helm through the ’54 campaign.
In ’55 the woeful Kansas City Athletics tabbed him to pilot their club. He lasted two full seasons and part of a third, posting a 151-260 record before being fired.
The Cubs soon offered Illinois native Boudreau a spot in the broadcast booth for ’58. He remained there until switching places with Chicago skipper Charlie Grimm early in 1960. In his final managerial job, Boudreau guided the Cubs to a 54-83 record.
He returned to announcing in ’61 and enjoyed a career spanning three decades as the color man. When his contract was not renewed in 1988, Boudreau left the game for good at age 71.
Cooperstown recognized his playing career when it opened its doors to Boudreau in 1970. He remained in Illinois for the rest of his days. The baseball lifer passed away at age 84 in 2001.
Though his autograph is plentiful, examples from his playing days are difficult to find.
Boudreau signed the previous piece after the Indians won the Series
Boudreau signed the previous piece after the Indians won the Series
Government postcards give a signature provenance and often help determine the likelihood of authenticity. Shown here is the reverse of the postcard Lou Boudreau signed.
Notice the postmark dated February 17, 1949. The date traces to four months after the Indians’ world championship season. That year Boudreau served as player/manager of the club. He earned the MVP as a player and made all the right moves as the manager.
The postmark shows a location of Harvey, Illinois, Boudreau’s birthplace and offseason home.
Boudreau was five months shy of his 31st birthday when he signed this. Soon he would leave home and head to spring training. The ’49 campaign was his last as an everyday player. In 134 games he hit .284 with a .381 on-base percentage. His performance netted him a 14th place finish in AL MVP voting.
Boudreau, who lived until three weeks after his 84th birthday in 2001 was always willing to sign autographs for fans. His signature is by no means rare. However, examples such as these from the 1940s remain attractive to collectors.
Lou Boudreau began his managerial career at age 24 with the Indians
Lou Boudreau began his managerial career at age 24 with the Indians
Lou Boudreau took the reins of the Cleveland Indians in 1942 as their 24-year old player/manager. The Tribe was without its best pitcher Bob Feller who was serving in the Navy for World War II.
Feller made his big league return on August 24, 1945 after missing almost four full years. In his first full season back, Feller was spectacular. He led the league in innings, wins, strikeouts, and shutout and was second in ERA.
In 1947 Feller again paced the Junior Circuit in wins, Ks and whitewashes as the Indians won 12 more contests than the year before. Shown here is a letter written by Feller to his wife. Notice the postmark of September 10, 1947 from New York.
Earlier in the day Feller made his 32nd start of the season. He was quite dismayed with the 7-4 loss at Yankee Stadium.
Here the pitcher writes that he’s waiting for the 6:00pm train to Boston where the Indians opened up a four-game series agains the Reds Sox the next day.
Feller also writes about his displeasure with Indians manager Lou Boudreau. “Had a chance to win today but Lou yanked me out for a pinch hitter.”
The rest of the five-page letter can be seen in the following images.
Bob Feller wrote that he wishes manager Boudreau "would not be so jittery"
Bob Feller wrote that he wishes manager Boudreau "would not be so jittery"
In this second page of the 1947 letter, Bob Feller second guesses manager Lou Boudreau’s decisions. After writing that Boudreau “yanked me out for a pinch hitter”, Feller continues.
“Wished Boudreau would not be so jittery and relax. I might’ve had 19 wins at least I would of had a 4-3 lead in the 6th inning which isn’t bad.”
Interestingly, the Hall of Fame’s website quotes Feller praising Boudreau.
“He had terrific instincts and was a great competitor,” the website quotes Feller saying of Boudreau. “As a player-manager, he became so good that he went as far as calling pitches from shortstop. He was always thinking, always in the game.”
Bob Feller's 101 wins with Boudreau were the most for any of the 5 managers he played for
Bob Feller's 101 wins with Boudreau were the most for any of the 5 managers he played for
Lou Boudreau managed Bob Feller’s from 1945-1950. During that time the pitcher enjoyed many of his career highlights. Under Boudreau Feller won 101 games with a 2.99 ERA. Rapid Robert led the AL in strikeouts three times, and wins and shutouts twice each.
Feller recorded his highest single-season WAR total(10.0) in 1946 with Boudreau calling the shots. Two years later they helped Cleveland win its second World Series title.
According to BaseballReference.com, Bob Feller made $41,250 for pitching for Cleveland. In page 3 of the 1947 letter to his wife, Feller writes that he must get up early the next day, and, “really get my barnstorming going again.”
The previous season, Feller teamed with famed Negro League pitcher Satchel Paige for a barnstorming tour. The two pitchers headed teams that faced each other in 27 cities.
According to the Hall of Fame, Feller explained his play thusly, “I had it all laid out. I knew what I was going to do and I knew the people personally that I was going to have get the black clubs together – the Kansas City operator, Mr. (J.L.) Wilkinson, and Satchel Paige and many others that I wanted to oppose us.”
Barnstorming provided a way for players to augment their income through playing more baseball.
Feller tells his wife that he’ll call Friday before his start the next day. On Saturday, September 13th Feller started and pitched seven innings of five-hit ball at Boston. He left the game down 2-0. The Indians rallied to tie it in the eighth before a home run by Red Sox centerfielder Dom DiMaggio off of reliever Al Gettel provided the winning margin.
Feller was away at WWII for Boudreau's first three seasons as Cleveland skipper
Feller was away at WWII for Boudreau's first three seasons as Cleveland skipper
When Lou Boudreau took over as Indians manager in 1942, he was without the team’s greatest pitcher – Bob Feller. Four months before Opening Day the hurler enlisted into the Navy for World War II. It was two days after the attack on Pear Harbor.
An All Star in each of the four seasons before enlisting, Feller averaged more than 23 wins per season from 1938-1941. When Feller came back after 44 months in the military, many wondered if he had lost a step.
Pitching for Boudreau, Feller took the mound nine times in 1945 after returning to the Indians in August. He went 5-3 with 7 complete games, one shutout, and a 2.50 ERA. In ’46 he led the league in wins, shutouts, and strikeouts.
Shown here is page 4 of this 1947 correspondence between Hall of Fame pitcher and his wife, Virginia.
Feller writes in part, “I want to wind up with a good year and win a lot of games if possible.”
That he did.
Feller reached the 20-win plateau for the fifth time. He posted league-leading totals in wins, shutouts, innings pitched, strikeouts and WHIP.
Though he didn’t miss a beat from his time away from the game, Feller’s military service prohibited him from reaching 300 wins. The right-hander ended his career with 266 victories and likely would’ve topped the 300 mark if not for his time in World War II. In the four seasons before the war, Feller averaged 23 wins. Then he missed 44 months while in the military.
Upon his full-time return, Feller had his finest finest season in 1946, leading the AL in wins (26), shutouts (10), and strikeouts (348). He also posted career-bests in ERA (2.18), and WAR (10.0). Then in ’47, he paced the league in wins again.
Adding 34 victories over nearly four full seasons would’ve been a sure thing for one of the game’s greatest pitchers at the height of his career.
Boudreau managerial career includes 1,162 wins and 1,224 losses
Boudreau managerial career includes 1,162 wins and 1,224 losses
Lou Boudreau played big league baseball for 15 years. He made seven All Star teams including five straight from 1940-1944. The shortstop also spent 10 seasons as player/manager of the Cleveland Indians.
Overall Boudreau spent 16 years as a big league skipper. In addition to his time with Cleveland, he piloted the Red Sox, Athletics, and Cubs. His teams finished with an overall record of 1,162-1,224.
Cooperstown gave Boudreau a plaque for his playing career in 1970.
In the collection is this 1977 correspondence between Boudreau and Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson. The former Orioles star contacted current and former stars requesting their consent to lend their name to the Babe Ruth Advisory Board.
Boudreau agreed to this, writing, “It’s a pleasure and honor to join your board.” At the bottom is his signature and handwritten Illinois address.
Lou Boudreau got news of his election to Cooperstown on January 20, 1970
Lou Boudreau got news of his election to Cooperstown on January 20, 1970
On January 20, 1970 Lou Boudreau received the news of his inclusion to the Baseball Hall of Fame. In this letter dated the same day, he shares his thoughts.
“I’ve waited 12 years for this. It’s a dream.” Boudreau writes. It’s something you keep with in yourself. You just keep hoping, but you never really say it to anyone. It’s worth waiting for. This is a very happy moment. This is reaching the top. That is what we all strike for no matter what profession we’re in. I feel that my life is fulfilled now.
Cooperstown, NY, Jan. 20, 1970. ”
Below that the former MVP signs his name.
Boudreau was inducted with Jesse Haines, Ford Frick and Earl Combs
Boudreau was inducted with Jesse Haines, Ford Frick and Earl Combs
Lou Boudreau was inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 27, 1970. A sweltering Monday morning in Cooperstown, New York played host to the ceremonies attended by 22 members of the Hall of Fame.
Earle Combs, the leadoff hitter for the 1927 Yankees Murderers’ Row team was the other American Leaguer to gain induction that day. Cardinals hurler and 210-game winner Jesse Haines was the Senior Circuit’s inductee. Former league president and commissioner Ford Frick was the fourth and final man to gain baseball immortality that summer.
In the collection is this correspondence between then-National League president Chub Feeney and Hall of Fame center fielder Max Carey. In it Feeney invites Carey to Boudreau’s induction ceremony. Feeney also invites Carey to a “Stag Dinner” for National League Hall of Famers held the night before.
For Boudreau, the induction was the pinnacle of a lifetime in professional baseball, a dream come true.
