Clyde Vollmer

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Clyde Frederick Vollmer,
Big Un', Dutch the Clutch
Outfield
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB Debut
May, 31, 1942 for the Cincinnati Reds
Final game
September, 1, 1954 for the Washington Senators
Career Statistics
Batting average     .251
Home runs     69
RBI     339
Teams
Career Highlights and Awards
Young Clyde when he was on the Cincinnati Reds
Enlarge
Young Clyde when he was on the Cincinnati Reds

Clyde Frederick Vollmer,(born September 24, 1921, in Cincinnati, Ohio), was a baseball fan since day one. He played for the Bridgetown Baseball league, in Hamilton County, Ohio. Clyde was a leading part of the team, when they won the Hamilton County Grade School baseball championship in 1935, according to a publication called "News of the Reds" dated May 20, 1947.

Clyde then graduated from Western Hills High School in 1938 and signed as an amateur free agent with the Cincinnati Reds the following year. [1]

Clyde did not play a professional game until May 31, 1942 (Cincinnati Reds). After playing only 12 games, the 21 year old went into the armed forces (Army). He fought in World War II for three years. After getting out of the service, Clyde join the line up of the Cincinnati Reds again.[2]

Clyde played Major League Baseball from 1942 through 1954. In 1947 Clyde married Margaret and later had a daughter, Claudia Vollmer. Clyde retired out of baseball and acquired the Lark Lounge, which he owned for 20 years.

He later was a member of the American Legion, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Cheviot Aerie No. 2197 and the Delhi Senior Citizens.

Clyde Vollmer, 85, died Monday October 2, 2006, at St. Luke Hospital in Florence Kentucky. [3]

Contents

[edit] Clyde Vollmer's Historical Moments

1952 Topps card of Clyde when he was on the Red Sox
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1952 Topps card of Clyde when he was on the Red Sox

When Clyde played his first game (Reds against the Pirates) on May 31, 1942, He showed Cincinnati why he can play professional ball. First time at bat, Clyde's first pitch from pitcher Max Butcher , Clyde hit his first professional home run and was the fourth person to ever do this. Clyde would not hit another home run for five years.

  • 1949, Washington Senators rated him as the club's best defensive outfielder. 1949 stats: .253 BA, 17 doubles, 14 home runs, 59 RBIs in 129 games.
  • May 3, 1949- The Senators got seven home runs in the extra innings beating the Chicago White Sox 14–12, in 10 innings. This is only time a team has collected seven homers in an extra inning contest. Clyde Vollmer got two of the seven home runs that night.
  • June 8, 1950: "Most lopsided score in history", the Boston Red Sox beat the St. Louis Browns at Fenway Park, 29–4. Clyde goes to the plate eight times in eight innings, the only time this has happened in history.
  • 1951, Clyde had the best year in his career. Playing for the Red Sox, He hit for 13 home runs (including two grand slams) and driving in 30 runs, in one month. His 85 RBI was second high on the team (trailing Ted Williams' 126). - 1951 stats: .251BA, 22 HRs, in 115 Games.
  • July 7, 1951- Clyde hit a grand slam in first inning against the Yankees. Boston Red Sox- 10, New York Yankees- 4
  • July 26, 1951- Clyde got in six runs on three home runs to lead the Red Sox to a 13–10 win over the White Sox.
  • July 28, 1951- In the 16th inning, Clyde hit the latest-inning grand slam in Major League Baseball history.
  • July 1951- Clyde got in one month: thirteen home runs (two grand slams), four doubles and a triple.
  • Senators in early 1953
  • May 22, 1953- Washington Senators beat the New York Yankees 12–4. Clyde got 18 hits including a 3-run homer and a 2-run double.
  • Sept. 1, 1954- last game played.
  • Clyde Vollmer career stats: .251 BA, 77Ds, 10Ts, 69Hrs, 283 Runs, 339 RBIs, 508 hits in 2021 at bats, 685 games.

[4] [5]

[edit] Clydes Numbers

1942 Cincinnati Reds 29
1946 Cincinnati Reds 28, 46
1947 Cincinnati Reds 25
1948 Cincinnati Reds 25
1948 Washington Senators -
1949 Washington Senators 22
1950 Washington Senators 35
1950 Boston Red Sox 23
1951 Boston Red Sox 23
1952 Boston Red Sox 30
1953 Boston Red Sox 30
1953 Washington Senators 24
1954 Washington Senators 15

[6]

[edit] Trades

[7]

[edit] Triva

  • Dutch the Clutch and Big Un' were his nicknames. He told me that the Red Sox gave him the name Dutch, first, because of his german background; then later, calling his rifle throwing arm, a clutch. Big Un' was coined for his 6'1", 190 lbs. build.
  • He also told me that he was roommates with Dom Dimaggio. Clyde said that Dom was a great roommate.
  • He played with different uniform numbers. He stated he took what number was left over.
  • He stated that the Boston Red Sox was his favorite team to play for. I asked him how he felt about the New York Yankees, He said "I still don't like them".

[edit] Baseball Records

  • 1942- 6th in league in "Youngest player". -20
    • May 31- Hit homerun in first game, first pitch. (4th ever)
  • 1949- Tied 9th in league in "strikeouts". -62
  • 1950, June 8 - only major league ball player to be at bat eight times in eight innings.
    • Team record- Boston Red Sox,
      • -"most lopsided score in history" 29–4
      • -major-league record with 58 total bases.
      • -most extra bases on long hits (32) in a game.
      • -most extra bases on long hits in consecutive games (51).
      • -record 49 runs in two straight games.
      • -record 51 runs in two days against the St. Louis Browns.
  • 1951 July 28 - In the 16th inning, hit the latest-inning grand slam in major league history.
  • 1952- 4th in league in "Ground into double plays". -20
    • 9th in league in "Strike outs". -66
    • 8th in league in "Homeruns". -22
    • 4th in league in "At bat per homeruns". -17.5

[8]

[edit] References

baseball library
baseball historian
baseball-reference
rebecca goodman, Cincinnati Enquirer staff writerObituarie


Webbelot 20:01, 9 October 2006 (UTC)