Eddie Bockman

Joseph Edward Bockman (July 26, 1920 – September 29, 2011) was an American professional baseball player and scout. During his active career, he was a third baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1946 through 1949 for the New York Yankees (1946), Cleveland Indians (1947) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1948–1949). Listed at 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) and 175 pounds (79 kg), he batted and threw right-handed.^[1] Brother of minor leaguer Robert Morley Bockman who played for Riverside in the Sunset League.

Playing career

Born in Santa Ana, California, Bockman was a triple-threat back for Woodrow Wilson Classical High School in Long Beach, California, in 1937.^[2]

While playing at second base, Bockman hit a home run for the Fullerton, California All-Stars to help lead them to a 16–4 victory over Fort Rosecrans, in August 1943.^[3] He also played third base for a Pacific Coast League All-Star team which featured Cleveland Indians pitcher Bob Feller. The All-Stars opposed the Kansas City Monarchs in an exhibition game at Wrigley Field (Los Angeles), on October 2, 1945, with Satchel Paige pitching for the Monarchs.

Bockman missed 1943 to 1946 due to military service during World War II conflict. He joined the Yankees in September 1946, and later spent parts of the next three years with the Indians and Pirates.

His most productive seasons came with Pittsburgh, when he collected career numbers with a .239 batting average and 23 runs batted in in 1948. Then, in 1949 he posted career-highs in games (79) and home runs (9), driving in 19 runs while scoring 21 times. In April of that year, he belted two home runs in a single game to give the Pirates a 3–1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Forbes Field. His two-run homer in the fourth inning scored Danny Murtaugh, who had walked previously.^[1][4]

Bockman was a .230 hitter with 11 home runs and 56 RBI in 199 games.^[1] Following his majors stint, he became a minor league player-manager for the Albuquerque Dukes (1955), Visalia Cubs (1956) and Amarillo Gold Sox (1957–1958).^[5]

Later life

He later scouted for the Philadelphia Phillies, where he was credited for signing Bob Boone, Larry Bowa, Joe Charboneau, Buck Martinez, Ricky Jordan, Randy Lerch, Dick Ruthven, John Vukovich and Bob Walk, among others.^[6] In 1992, after more than 30 years with the Phillies, he became a scout for the newly created Florida Marlins expansion team.

Bockman died in Millbrae, California, at the age of 91.^[6]

References

1. 1 2 3 "Baseball Reference – major league profile". 
2. ↑ Wilson High Optimistic, Los Angeles Times, September 18, 1937, Page A11.
3. ↑ Fullerton All-Stars Rout Soldier Nine, Los Angeles Times, August 30, 1943, Page A10.
4. ↑ Bucs Bag Nightcap To Divy With Reds, Los Angeles Times, April 25, 1949, Page C2.
5. ↑ Baseball Reference – minor league career
6. 1 2 "Alt.Obituaries.com – Eddie Bockman, 91; MLB Utility Player (Yankees, Indians, Pirates), Scout". 

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)