| Lou Boudreau; born in Harvey, Illinois; and captain of the University of Illinois basketball team; vaulted his way to success as a shortstop for the Cleveland Indians.
In 1940, Lou batted .295, hit 46 doubles, scored 97 runs and knocked in 101 runs.
Lou Boudreau was called "the Boy Wonder" when as a 24 year old in 1942, he was appointed player manager.
Boudreau was one of the finest fielding shortstops; he led the league eight times in fielding pct. In 1944, he set the single season record for the most double plays with 134 and in 1947 he established the record for the highest fielding percentage .982 for a shortstop in baseball history. He retired with the highest fielding pct. .972 in major league history for shortstops.
Lou Boudreau was an outstanding hitter and three times led the league in doubles. 1948, he led the Indians to their World Championship Crown with his great fielding, torrid hitting and top managing. In this year he led the AL league in batting average .355; while getting 199 hits, 34 doubles, 6 triples and 18 HR's with a slg. pct of .534, and scored 116 runs and had 106 RBI's. Boudreau also was voted the Most Valuable Player.
In the late 1950's, he managed the Red Sox, Kansas City and in 1960 managed the Chicago Cubs for one season. Shortly thereafter he became the Cubs' radio and television broadcaster until 1989.
Lou Boudreau's career numbers: over 6,000 at bats, with 1,779 hits, 385 doubles, 66 triples, 68 HR's, scored 861 runs. Boudreau has the seventh highest career batting average of .295 for a shortstop. baseballhistorian.com archives All Rights Reserved - Lou Boudreau Cleveland Indians Baseball History |
