| Tom Umphlett | |
|---|---|
| Center fielder | |
| Born: May 12, 1930 Scotland Neck, North Carolina |
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| Batted: Right | Threw: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| April 16, 1953 for the Boston Red Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 24, 1955 for the Washington Senators | |
| Career statistics | |
| Batting average | .246 |
| Home runs | 6 |
| RBI | 111 |
| Teams | |
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Thomas Mullen Umphlett (born May 12, 1930 in Scotland Neck, North Carolina) is a former center and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1953 to 1955 with the Boston Red Sox and Washington Senators.
At 6'2", 180 pounds, Umphlett - a right-hander - was originally signed by the Red Sox in 1950. In 1950 with the Marion Red Sox, he hit .319 in 94 games. He made his big league debut on April 16, 1953 at the age of 22 and wearing the number 38. He hit .283 in his rookie season, displaying a great eye at the plate-he averaged one strikeout every 16.5 at-bats. He was #2 in Rookie of the Year voting in '53.
His career never really amounted to much after his promising rookie season-he'd end up hitting only .246 with six home runs in 360 career games (1,160 at bats). He averaged one strikeout every 10.8 at bats in his career. Never much of a threat on the basepaths, he stole only seven career bases. He had a .986 career fielding percentage. He played his final major league game on September 24, 1955. In 1954, he wore number 4. In 1955, he wore 22. According to Baseball-Reference, the player he is most similar to statistically is Art Kruger. He spent three of his seasons with Mickey McDermott--longer than any other teammate.
He managed the Auburn Twins in 1967 and the Appleton Foxes in part of 1968. In the other part of 1968, he managed the Wisconsin Rapids Twins. He also managed the Lynchburg Twins in part of the 1970 season.
At last check, he lived in Ahoskie, North Carolina.