Monday, March 22, 2010

#222 Bob Tillman

#222 Bob Tillman
These entries may or may not start getting sporadic again, as I'm knee-deep in home improvement projects and the moving process. Bear with me for a month or so, if you'd be so kind. Today, we marvel as Bob Tillman attempts to catch a pop-up with the palm of his mitt facing his body! He must have been doing something right, though; he only committed 55 errors in nine seasons.

Fun facts about Bob Tillman:

-Native Nashvillian (Nashvillite? Nashvillanian?) Bob attended Georgia Tech and Middle Tennessee State as an undergrad, then signed with the Red Sox in 1958.

-His brother James was a minor league pitcher in 1962 and 1964.

-He hit only .255 in four minor league seasons, but showed good power (81 total home runs), and headed to Boston to begin the 1962 campaign.

-Clouted 14 home runs in just 81 games as a rookie, including a round-tripper in his very first official at-bat.

-Had a career year in 1964, his third major league season. He played in a career-high 131 games and easily reached personal bests with 18 doubles, 17 homers, 61 RBI, and a .278 average.

-Caught two no-hitters during his time in Boston. The pitchers were Earl Wilson (June 26, 1962) and Dave Morehead (September 16, 1965).

-Changed teams twice in four months in 1967, first from Boston to the Yankees, and then from New York to the Braves.

-Hit three home runs in one game on July 30, 1969, all against Philadelphia's Grant Jackson.

-Played three seasons with the Braves before calling it quits. He hit .232 in nine seasons with 79 home runs and 282 RBI.

-Bob passed away in 2000 at age 63, and was laid to rest near his home in Gallatin, TN.
#222 Bob Tillman (back)

No comments:

Post a Comment