Bibb Falk
Encyclopedia
Bibb August Falk was an American
left fielder
in Major League Baseball
who played for the Chicago White Sox
(1920–28) and Cleveland Indians
(1929–31).
Born in Austin, Texas
, Falk played football and baseball at the University of Texas
before signing with the White Sox in 1920. He was a spare outfielder with the Sox until news of the 1919 Black Sox scandal
broke and eight players were suspended; Falk replaced Shoeless Joe Jackson
in left field. Falk was a consistent hitter, ending his career after twelve seasons with a .314 career batting average
. He was also known as a heady player whose merciless riding of opponents earned him the nickname "Jockey."
After Major League coaching
stints with the Indians (1933
) and Boston Red Sox
(1934
), Falk coached baseball at the University of Texas
from 1940 to 1942, then again from 1946 to 1967, winning consecutive College World Series
titles in and . In 1975, the new Disch-Falk Field
at the University of Texas was named in honor of Falk and his former coach, Billy Disch
. He died at age 90 in Austin.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
left fielder
Left fielder
In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played for the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(1920–28) and Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
(1929–31).
Born in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, Falk played football and baseball at the University of Texas
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
before signing with the White Sox in 1920. He was a spare outfielder with the Sox until news of the 1919 Black Sox scandal
Black Sox Scandal
The Black Sox Scandal took place around and during the play of the American baseball 1919 World Series. Eight members of the Chicago White Sox were banned for life from baseball for intentionally losing games, which allowed the Cincinnati Reds to win the World Series...
broke and eight players were suspended; Falk replaced Shoeless Joe Jackson
Shoeless Joe Jackson
Joseph Jefferson Jackson , nicknamed "Shoeless Joe", was an American baseball player who played Major League Baseball in the early part of the 20th century...
in left field. Falk was a consistent hitter, ending his career after twelve seasons with a .314 career batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
. He was also known as a heady player whose merciless riding of opponents earned him the nickname "Jockey."
After Major League coaching
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
stints with the Indians (1933
1933 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fourth in the American League with a record of 75-76, 23½ games behind the Washington Senators.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
) and Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(1934
1934 Boston Red Sox season
The 1934 Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing 4th in the American League with a record of 76 wins and 76 losses.- Offseason :...
), Falk coached baseball at the University of Texas
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
from 1940 to 1942, then again from 1946 to 1967, winning consecutive College World Series
College World Series
The College World Series or CWS is an annual baseball tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska that is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which determines the NCAA Division I college baseball champion. The eight teams are split into two, four-team, double-elimination brackets,...
titles in and . In 1975, the new Disch-Falk Field
UFCU Disch-Falk Field
UFCU Disch–Falk Field is the baseball stadium of the University of Texas at Austin. It's been home to Texas Longhorns baseball since it opened February 17, 1975. On that day, the eventual NCAA national champion Longhorns swept a doubleheader from St. Mary's by scores of 4-0 and 11-0...
at the University of Texas was named in honor of Falk and his former coach, Billy Disch
Billy Disch
William J. "Billy" Disch was the baseball coach for the University of Texas Longhorns from 1911 to 1939, and served as an advisory coach for 12 seasons afterwards....
. He died at age 90 in Austin.