Monday, April 04, 2011

#26 Bobby Knoop

#26 Bobby Knoop
Here are the fruits of a short and sweet trade with MattR of A Giant Blog and Project Baseball 1976. He sent me Bobby Knoop and #27 Dick Bertell (to be posted tomorrow) as well as a couple of 1967 Topps Orioles that I needed. In return, I cobbled together some various and sundry Giants cards from his want list. Thanks Matt!

I always thought that Bobby Knoop's name was pretty odd. I assumed it was pronounced "Nupe" (rhymes with loop) on account of the double-o. But analysts and announcers seem to pronounce it "Nopp" (rhymes with cop). Oh well.

Fun facts about Bobby Knoop:

-Bobby was born in Sioux City, IA but attended high school in Montebello, CA before signing with the Braves in 1956.

-He was stuck in the minors for eight years before the Angels claimed him in the Rule 5 draft, ensuring him a spot on the major league roster in 1964. Though he batted just .216 with a .289 on-base percentage, 7 home runs, and 38 RBI, he saw action in all 162 games as a 25-year-old rookie.

-Knoop achieved personal bests in 1965 with a .269 average and 24 doubles.

-His most productive season was 1966, when he socked 17 home runs, drove in a team-high 72 runs, and led the American League with 11 triples. He was named to his only All-Star team.

-Bobby was a gifted defensive second baseman, nicknamed "Nureyev" by sportswriters who compared his dexterity and grace to the Russian ballet dancer. He partnered with shortstop Jim Fregosi to give the Angels a successful double-play combo and won three straight Gold Gloves (1966-1968).

-He was traded to the White Sox in May 1969 when his offense began to slip. However, he remained a top defender during his two seasons in Chicago.

-Though he hit just seven home runs in 1969, two came in a May 30 loss to the Senators.

-Knoop finished his career with the Royals, where he backed up Cookie Rojas in 1971-1972. In parts of 9 big league seasons he batted .236 with 56 home runs and 331 RBI.

-Loved to face: Camilo Pascual (.415/.442/.683 in 43 plate appearances). Hated to face: Steve Barber (.065/.137/.065 in 51 PA).

-He spent nearly a quarter-century coaching for the White Sox, Angels, and Blue Jays. Today he is an assistant coach at Seton Catholic High in Arizona.
#26 Bobby Knoop (back)

6 comments:

  1. We always pronounced it "ka-nop". I remember Yankee broadcasters calling him that. Then again, it was Phil Rizutto so don't go by me. ;^\

    ReplyDelete
  2. I remember him when he was with the White Sox. It might just be my foggy memory, but I too thought his name was pronounced Ka-Nop.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bob and Wrigley - Ka-nop, huh? I stand corrected.

    ReplyDelete
  4. "Ka-nop" was how I got it from Ned Martin and Ken Coleman in Boston, too, so it wasn't just Rizutto or the Chi-Sox announcers.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I grew up very close to the Knoop Family. It is pronounced Ka-nop! His younger brother Gary basically lived with my family and we visitied Bobby's home quite often in Montebello and Yorba Linda, California. Arguable the best fielding second baseman ever!

    ReplyDelete
  6. As a member of the Knoop family, I can assure you Knoop is pronounced "ku-nup".

    ReplyDelete