Al Lakeman
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Albert Wesley 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. 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).
In a nine-season career, Lakeman was a .203 hitter with 15 home runs and 66 RBI in 239 games. After his playing career ended, he managed in the Tigers' farm system (1956-62; 1965-66) and served two terms as the bullpen coach at the major league level for the Boston Red Sox (1963-64; 1967-69). He was on the coaching staff of Boston's 1967 American League champions.
Lakeman died in Spartanburg, South Carolina, at age 57.
