Sam Rice

Sam Rice
Birthdate 2/20/1890
Death Date 10/13/1974
Debut Year 1915
Year of Induction 1963
Teams Indians, Senators
Positions Outfield, Right Field

Sam Rice retired with 2,987 hits completely unaware of his proximity to the 3,000-hit milestone; he was inducted into the Hall in 1963.

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Sam Rice played 19 of his 20 big league seasons for the Washington Senators

Sam Rice played 19 of his 20 big league seasons for the Washington Senators

Hall of Fame outfielder Sam Rice was the first offensive star of the Washington Senators. Rice debuted in 1915 and became the everyday right fielder in 1917 when he hit .302 and tallied 177 hits. In 1918 Rice was recalled to the army in the final year of World War I. Initially stationed in New York
Rice stands atop the Senators/Twins franchise leaderboard in many offensive categories

Rice stands atop the Senators/Twins franchise leaderboard in many offensive categories

During his 19 years with the Senators, Sam Rice set offensive records that still stand, more than a century after his Washington debut. Rice is #1 in Senators/Twins franchise history in runs, hits, doubles, triples, times on base, and at bats per strikeout. He also remains in the team’s top-5
Sam Rice finished with 2,987 hits, the most of any player not in the 3,000-hit club

Sam Rice finished with 2,987 hits, the most of any player not in the 3,000-hit club

Listed at 5’9″ and 150 pounds, Sam Rice still packed quite a punch. Six times he surpassed the 200-hit plateau in a season. Rice spent 20 years in the big leagues, all but one with the Washington Senators. By the time he retired, Rice tallied 2,987 hits and a .322 lifetime average. When
Sam Rice played in all three Washington Senators World Series appearances

Sam Rice played in all three Washington Senators World Series appearances

A charter member of the American League in 1901, the Washington Senators played in three World Series before moving to Minnesota in 1961. Sam Rice played in each one. In 1924 Rice hit .334 and scored 106 runs for manager Bucky Harris. He also had a league-leading 216 hits to help lead Washington to
Same Rice made a controversial catch in the 1925 World Series and kept a secret the rest of his life

Same Rice made a controversial catch in the 1925 World Series and kept a secret the rest of his life

Hall of Fame outfielder Sam Rice played in three World Series, earning a ring with the Senators in 1924. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1963, Rice tallied 2,987 hits and a .322 career batting average. He is perhaps best remembered for his controversial catch in the 1925 Fall Classic. Playing righ
Sam Rice ranks in the top 100 of many offensive categories more than a century after his debut

Sam Rice ranks in the top 100 of many offensive categories more than a century after his debut

A forgotten great, Sam Rice played big league baseball for 20 seasons. He debuted in 1915 and remains among the top 100 in baseball history in many categories. As of the 2021 season, Rice ranks 33rd in hits (2,987), 45th in average (.322), 66th in doubles (498), 14th in triples (184), and 98th in to
Joe Judge and Rice held the record for most consecutive seasons as teammates until the day they died

Joe Judge and Rice held the record for most consecutive seasons as teammates until the day they died

Sam Rice played for the Senators from 1915-1933. In all but his last year in Washington first baseman Joe Judge was his teammate. Their 18 seasons together set a big league record, a mark they held for the rest of their lives. Largely forgotten today, Judge was one of the greatest first basemen in t

A Story about Sam Rice

Military service in WWI deprived Sam Rice of the 13 hits he needed for 3,000

July 13th, 2021 Leave a comment

Sam Rice Washington Senators

The historical marker near Sam Rice’s hometown of Morocco, Indiana reads, “Drafted into the Army in WWI. Rice missed most of the 1918 season. He helped Washington win American League pennants in 1924, 1925, and 1933, and a World Series title in 1924. Over 20 seasons he was often among league leaders in hits and steals. He played his last year in 1934 with the Cleveland Indians, finishing with a career .322 batting average and 2,877 hits.”

Rice remains largely forgotten today.

The Washington Senators became the Minnesota Twins. Today no team or fan base embraces Rice. He finished just 13 hits shy of the 3,000-hit milestone.

Sam Rice is one of baseball’s forgotten stars.

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One response to “Sam Rice”

  1. Adam says:

    Very cool presentation and wonderful information.

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"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball…"

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