Al Lakeman
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Albert Wesley ("Al") Lakeman (December 31, 1918 - May 25, 1976) was a catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds (1942-1947[start]), Philadelphia Phillies (1947[end]-1948), Boston Braves (1949) and Detroit Tigers (1954). Lakeman batted and threw right handed. Affectively nicknamed "Moose", he was a native of Cincinnati, Ohio.
The light-hitting Lakeman was a fine defensive catcher as he took responsibility for getting the most out of his pitchers. The high point of his major league career was serving as an efficient, reliable backup for Andy Seminick (Phillies), Del Crandall (Braves) and Frank House (Tigers). His most productive season came in 1945 with Cincinnati, when he posted career-highs in games played (76), batting average (.256), home runs (eight), RBI (31) and runs (22). Following his playing career, he managed in the minor leagues during ten years.
In a nine-season career, Lakeman was a .203 hitter with 15 home runs and 66 RBI in 239 games.
Lakeman died in Spartanburg, South Carolina, at age 57.
[edit] Other MLB debuts in 1942
- Hank Borowy
- Peanuts Lowrey
- Willard Marshall
- Johnny Pesky
- Allie Reynolds
- Eddie Robinson
- Johnny Sain
- Ray Scarborough
- Warren Spahn
[edit] Trivia
- Lakeman shares the exact same birthday (December 31, 1918) with former MLB catcher John "Fats" Dantonio.
- made his major league debut on the same day as pitcher Warren Spahn and catcher Cliff Dapper (April 19, 1942)
