Monday, December 30, 2013

1962 Profile: Bobby Richardson

1962 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"A solid anchor man at the keystone is boyish-looking Bobby Richardson, who continues to sparkle in the Series, following his .367 of '60 with .391 in '61.
A Yankee since '55, Richardson had his best season in '59 when he checked in with .301. A spray hitter who lashes to all fields, his 49 RBIs in '61 was his career high. He has six homers in his lifetime, lowest figure on the club. Born in Sumter, South Carolina."

-Don Schiffer, The 1962 Major League Baseball Handbook

"Bobby Richardson has been referred to as the 'Man who owns the World Series.' In the last two 'classics,' the second baseman from Sumber, S.C. had hit .367 and .391, respectively. In the 1960 Series he set a whole host of slugging records- among them were the most RBIs in a World Series (12), most RBIs in one game (6), and he became the seventh player in World Series history to hit a grand slam home run. This past fall, Bobby tied a record by getting nine hits in a five-game series.
But it is as a 'glove man' that Richardson is best known. A fine fielder, he has been the pivot man in the best double-play combination. As a leadoff man, Bobby would like to increase his walks in 1962. Last year, he drove in 49 runs, his top major league run production. Bobby wants to play every game. He missed only one contest last year. In 1959, he led the Yankees in hitting at .301, his only .300 season to date.
The 26-year-old Richardson, a devoted family man, also serves his community. He is active in church work here during the season and in the YMCA and church activities in the winter."

-The New York Yankees Official 1962 Yearbook

One of ten players to hit grand slam in World Series game, connecting in 1st inning off Clem Labine of Pittsburgh at Yankee Stadium, October 8, 1960.
Set World Series record for most runs batted in, one game (6), against Pittsburgh, October 8, 1960.
Set record for most runs batted in, one World Series (12), against Pittsburgh, 1960.
Tied World Series record for most triples, one game (2), against Pittsburgh, October 12, 1960.
Tied record for most runs scored, one World Series (8), against Pittsburgh, 1960.
Won Sport Magazine Corvette as outstanding performer [Babe Ruth Award], 1960 World Series.
Tied record for most hits, five-game World Series (9), against Cincinnati, 1961.

-1962 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide

"Bobby Richardson topped off the 1961 season with his second successive outstanding World Series, and once again was one of the American League's outstanding glovemen.
The diminutive (5'9") second sacker batted .261 during the regular campaign and reached a personal big league high with 49 runs batted in. He also equaled his previous major league total by connecting for three home runs.
A fine bunter, Bobby was the No. 1 Yankee with 10 sacrifices; and his nine stolen bases placed him second to only Mickey Mantle among the Bronx Bombers.
Richardson broke into Organized Ball in 1953, seeing service with Norfolk (Piedmont League) and Olean (PONY League) during the campaign. He hit PONY League hurling for a .412 mark in 32 games and was promoted to the Class A Binghamton Triplets the following summer.
A .310 mark with the Trips earned him a shot at Triple-A ball in '55. Bobby was going along with a .296 clip in August when the Yankees called him up from their Denver (American Association) farm club. The stay was a short one, and after 11 games he was dispatched to Richmond.
In 1956 Bobby was back in Denver and batted .328. He also had 10 homers and 73 RBIs and was again called up by New York.
This time the move was permanent. After spending the 1957 and 1958 seasons as a part-time performer, Richardson was moved into the regular lineup.
Bobby made the most of his opportunity and in 1959 he was the only member of the Yankees to reach the charmed .300 circle, batting .301.
His average dipped to .252 in 1960, but he picked up nine points and showed a respectable .261 mark last summer.
The 166-pound native of Sumter, South Carolina, set two records in the 1960 World Series against the Pirates. He drove in six runs in one game (October 8) and sent 12 tallies across the plate during the seven games in a valiant effort that fell short thanks to Bill Mazeroski's ninth-inning homer in the seventh contest. Richardson and Mantle each tied the Series record in '60 by scoring eight runs.
Last Fall he gave Cincinnati pitchers a rough time and was instrumental in bringing the Championship back to New York.
Bobby can play shortstop and third base as well as second and has seen service at both of these spots during his tenure with the Yanks.
Although he's only 26 years old, Richardson is in his eighth season and fourth as a regular for the Bombers.
During the off-season he spends much time hunting and playing with his two youngsters."

-The 1962 Jay Publishing New York Yankees Yearbook

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