1964 Profile: Bobby Richardson

1964 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR

"The steady man in the New York infield is Bobby Richardson, a second baseman who seldom resorts to the spectacular in covering territory. He's particularly adept at darting to his right and his throwing motion is deceptively powerful.
He fell off at the plate in 1963, tumbling 37 points from his .302 high. In nine years he's belted for .274 and has yet to hit as many as 10 homers in one campaign.
Active in youth work in his native Sumter, South Carolina, he's one of the most genuine in the game at helping the less fortunate and intends to enter social work when his playing days are over."

-Don Schiffer, Major League Baseball Handbook 1964

"Although Bobby Richardson is not yet 29, he's considered an old pro in the Yankee infield ... Regarded as one of the slickest-fielding second basemen in the majors, he's a timely hitter ... He led the Yankees in hits last season, in fact, with 167 while batting .265 with three homers and 48 RBI ... His best season as a batter was 1962 when he hit .302 with a league-leading total of 209 hits ... considered a master at the double-play pivot, he has been teaming with Tony Kubek since the minor leagues."

-Dave Anderson, 1964 Major League Baseball Handbook

"The best second baseman in the American League is a soft-spoken southern gentleman from Sumter, South Carolina named Bobby Richardson. Quiet and serious, Richardson doesn't drink or smoke and his choice of language wouldn't offend a ladies' literary society. Despite his mild manner, the Yankee infielder has won the respect of teammates and rivals alike through his dogged determination and sheer ability.
Casey Stengel, Bobby's first big league manager, called him 'a Houdini who can make the double play as quick as you want it.' Ralph Houk, his manager during the last three seasons, also has praise for the 5'9", 175-pound second baseman: 'He is everybody's kind of ballplayer.'
The 28-year-old infielder is usually at his best in the clutch. They had to rewrite the World Series record book after his performances in 1960 and '61. In 1960, against Pittsburgh, Bobby rapped across six runs in one game, a Series record, and tied another by smacking a grand-slam home run. His RBI total of 12 for the seven games set another mark. The following year, playing against the Cincinnati Reds, Richardson batted .391, his nine hits tying still another record, most hits in a five-game Series.
Bobby's rise in the Yankee farm system was swift and sure after he joined Norfolk (Va.) in 1953. He hit .310 at Binghamton (N.Y.) the following year, earning a promotion to Denver. There, in 1956, he was joined by Tony Kubek, his current partner at short for the American League champions. Sitting in the dugout at Denver was a young manager- Ralph Houk. Richardson donned a Yankee uniform in 1957 when he was only 21, and the youthful infielder became a fixture at second base two years later."

-Bill Wise, 1964 Official Baseball Almanac

"In this era of the home run craze and overpowering pitching, the .300 hitter has been on the decline. In spring training, all-time Yankee great Joe DiMaggio predicted that Bobby Richardson would be a .300 plus hitter in 1964 and would lead the Yanks in hitting.
'He has bat control,' said DiMag. 'Bobby has made putting the bat on the ball a real science. He doesn't swing hard but he gets a piece of the ball,' the Yankee Clipper added in praise.
Well, Bobby has been in the .300 class twice before and has a lifetime .272 mark. Known best for his classy fielding, Richardson has been a paragon of consistency since making the Yankee infield in 1957, after brief trials in 1955 and '56. An outstanding fielder and pivot man, 'Richie' has teamed successfully with shortstop Tony Kubek since the two played together in Denver. At 28, Bobby is the dean of the Yankee infield.
He's led the American League each of the last two seasons in plate appearances. Although his average was off some last season, Bob led the club in hits with 167 and in stolen bases with 15. Although the shortest man on the squad, the Sumter, South Carolina native hits with authority and, at times, surprising power.
The Associated Press named him to its mythical All-Star squad last winter. He set World Series RBI marks for a single game (6) and for a Series (12) in the 1960 classic and batted .391 in the '61 Series.
A leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Bobby Richardson sets an outstanding example for young Americans aspiring to baseball careers."

-The New York Yankees Official 1964 Yearbook

"Though little Bobby Richardson did not have as fine a season in 1963 as he did in '62 when he was runner-up to Mickey Mantle in the voting for the American League's Most Valuable Player, he was one of the most important factors in the club's umpteenth pennant.
Hitting a fair .265 (his lifetime average had been .274), Richardson nevertheless led the club in hits with 167 and in stolen bases with 15. Bobby's 630 times at bat were the most recorded by any junior circuit player.
Richardson, who was born and still lives in Sumter, South Carolina, has been a member of the Yankee organization since June 1953. Prepping at Norfolk, Olean, Binghamton, Denver and Richmond, Bobby came to the Stadium to stay in 1957.
The under-sized second sacker first came into his own in 1959, when he hit .301. Then, in 1960, after hitting only .252 with one homer during the regular season, Bobby suddenly blossomed into a slugger in the World Series against Pittsburgh.
In the contest of October 8, Bobby smote a grand slam homer in the first frame off Clem Labine, finishing that day with six RBI. Four afternoons later, Bobby hit two triples. Rich ended up setting a record for most RBI in a World Series with 12 and tied the Series mark for most runs scored, eight. He was given a Corvette as the Classic's outstanding performer.
After hitting .261 in '61, Bobby shot up to .302 in '62, setting an AL record for most times at bat (692), besides leading the loop in hits with 209."

-1964 Jay Publishing New York Yankees Yearbook

Signed by Yankee organization, June 12, 1953.
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.
Tied World Series record for most triples, one game (2), against Pittsburgh, October 12, 1960.
Set record for most runs batted in, one World Series (12), against Pittsburgh, 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.
Holds American League record, most at-bats, one season (692), 1962.
Placed second to Mickey Mantle in American League MVP voting, 1962.
Led American League in at-bats (630), 1963.
Led Yankees in hits (167), 1963.
Led Yankees in stolen bases (15), 1963.

-1964 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide